22 Dec

2 More Wetlands Added to Ramsar List

Content

• News
• Siliserh Lake
• Kopra Jalashay
• Ramsar List: Key Facts

News

India Adds Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) and Kopra Reservoir (Chhattisgarh) to the Ramsar List

India has recently added Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Reservoir in Chhattisgarh to the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List), reinforcing the country’s commitment to wetland conservation and biodiversity protection.

Siliserh Lake

• Location:
  Siliserh Lake is situated at Paitpur in Alwar District of Rajasthan. It lies in a semi-arid climatic zone and falls within the buffer region of the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
  
• Nature and Origin:
  It is a human-made wetland, constructed in 1845 AD during the rule of Maharaja Vinay Singh. The lake was created by building a bund across a tributary of the River Ruparel, primarily to ensure water availability in the region.
  
• Ecological Significance and Biodiversity:
  Despite being artificial, Siliserh Lake supports rich biodiversity. Key species recorded in and around the wetland include:
  
  • Egyptian Vulture
    
  • Black Stork
    
  • Tiger
    
  • Indian Pangolin
    
  • Leopard
    
  • Sambar
    
• The presence of both terrestrial and avian species highlights the lake’s importance as a critical habitat and ecological corridor.

Kopra Jalashay (Kopra Reservoir)

• Location:
  Kopra Reservoir is located in Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh.
  
• Hydrological Setting:
  It is a reservoir situated in the upper catchment of the River Mahanadi, playing an important role in regional water regulation.
  
• Ecological Features:
  The wetland is characterized by an extensive open water spread along with shallow, nutrient-rich backwaters, which provide favorable conditions for aquatic life and migratory birds.
  
• Biodiversity:
  The reservoir supports several important bird species, including:
  
  • Bar-headed Goose
    
  • Egyptian Vulture
    
  • River Tern
    
  • Greater Spotted Eagle
    
• Major Threats:
  The wetland faces multiple ecological pressures, such as:
  
  • Siltation
    
  • Invasive non-native species
    
  • Intensive agricultural activities in the surrounding landscape
    
• These threats pose long-term risks to its ecological balance and biodiversity.

Ramsar List: Key Facts

• Genesis:
  The Ramsar List was established under the Convention on Wetlands, which was adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran. It represents the world’s largest network of protected areas focused specifically on wetlands.
  
• Membership:
  Nearly 90% of United Nations member states, including India, have acceded to the Convention as Contracting Parties.
  
• Significance:
  Wetlands included in the Ramsar List acquire enhanced national-level protection and receive international recognition for their ecological, cultural, scientific, and socio-economic importance to humanity.
  
• Criteria for Designation:
  To qualify as a Wetland of International Importance, a site must satisfy at least one of the nine criteria laid down by the Ramsar Convention, which include factors related to biodiversity, threatened species, and ecological uniqueness.