Ramsar Sites Part 3

Ramsar Sites – Part 3

List of Ramsar Sites in India

(H-J)

Haryana:

Sultanpur National Park:

  • Approximately 250 species of Birds are found at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary.
  • Birds come from distant regions like Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.

Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary:

  • This is an important part of ecological corridor along the route of Sahibi River which traverses from Aravalli hills in Rajasthan to Yamuna.
  • Rainwater, JLN Feeder canal and its escape channel are main source of water in the bird sanctuary.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.

Himachal Pradesh:

Chandra Taal:

  • It is also called Tso Chigma or Chandra Tal which literally translates to Lake of the Moon.
  • A high-altitude lake on the upper Chandra valley flowing to the Chandra river of the Western Himalayas near the Kunzam pass joining the Himalayan and Pir Panchal ranges.
  • It supports CITES and IUCN Redlisted Snow Leopard and is a refuge for many species like Snow Cock, Chukor, Black Ring Stilt, Kestrel, Golden Eagle, Chough, Red Fox, Himalayan Ibex, and Blue Sheep.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2005.

Maharana Pratap Sagar:

  • It is also known as Pong Reservoir or Pong Dam Lake.
  • It was created in 1975, due to the building of an earth fill (Pong Dam) dam in India on the Beas River in the wetland zone of the Siwalik Hills.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2002.

Renuka lake:

  • It is the largest lake in Himachal Pradesh and is fed by a small stream flowing from the lower Himalayan out to the Giri river.
  • The lake is home to at least 443 species of fauna including 103 species of birds of which 66 are residents, e.g. Crimson-breasted barbet, Mayna, Bulbul, Pheasants, Egrets, Herons, Mallards and Lapwing.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2005.

Jammu and Kashmir:

Hokera Wetland:

  • It is the largest bird reserve in the Kashmir Valley and is situated in the Jehlum River basin.
  • It is the pathway of 68 waterfowl species like Large Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Little Cormorant, Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck and endangered White-eyed Pochard, coming from Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Northern Europe.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2005.

Surinsar-Mansar Lakes:

  • They are a freshwater composite lake in semi-arid Panjab Plains, adjoining the Jhelum Basin.
  • Surinsar is rain-fed without permanent discharge, and Mansar is primarily fed by surface run-off and partially by mineralised water through paddy fields, with inflow increasing in rainy season.
  • The lake supports CITES and IUCN redlisted Lissemys punctata, Aspideretes gangeticus, and Mansariella lacustris.
  • The site is socially and culturally very important with many temples around owing to its mythical origin from the Mahabharata period.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2005.

Wular Lake:

  • It is largest freshwater lake in India and was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River and stream Madhumati.
  • The lake is filled with extensive marshes of emergent and floating vegetation, particularly water chestnut.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 1990.

To know about Ramsar Sites from other states click here.