Ramsar Sites – Part 4

List of Ramsar Sites in India

(K-M)

Karnataka

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary:

• Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is commonly known as Pakshi Kashi of Karnataka.
• It is situated on the banks of the river Kaveri.
• It is the largest bird sanctuary in the state of Karnataka.
• The Site also supports over 1% of the global population of painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala), spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) and black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus).
• It is classified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2022.

Kerala

Ashtamudi Lake:

• It possesses a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) water body.
• The site supports a number of mangrove species as well as over 40 associated plant species, and 57 species of birds have been observed, including six that are migratory.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2002.

Sasthamcotta Lake:

• Sasthamcotta Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.
• Some 27 freshwater fish species are present. The water contains no common salts or other minerals and supports no water plants; a larva called “cavaborus” abounds and eliminates bacteria in the water, thus contributing to its exceptional purity.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2002.

Vembanad-Kol Wetland:

• Vembanad-Kol Wetland is the largest brackish, humid tropical wetland ecosystem on the southwest coast of India.
• Over 90 species of resident birds and 50 species of migratory birds are found in the Kol area.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2002.

Ladakh

Tso Kar:

• The complex includes two connected lakes, the freshwater Startsapuk Tso and the larger hypersaline Tso Kar.
• The name Tso Kar refers to the white salt efflorescence on the margins of the lake caused by the evaporation of the saline waters.
• The Site also acts as an important stopover ground for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway and is one of the most important breeding areas in India for the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis).
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2020.

Tso Moriri:

• A freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595m above sea level, with wet meadows and borax-laden wetlands along the shores.
• The site is said to represent the only breeding ground outside of China for one of the most endangered cranes, the Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), and the only breeding ground for Bar-headed geese in India.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2002.

Madhya Pradesh

Bhoj Wetland:

• It consists of two contiguous human-made reservoirs – the “Upper Lake” was created in the 11th century by construction of an earthen dam across the Kolans River, and the “Lower Lake” which was constructed nearly 200 years ago, largely from leakage from the Upper.
• The lakes are very rich in biodiversity, particularly for macrophytes, phytoplankton, zooplankton, both natural and cultured fish species, both resident and migratory birds, insects, and reptiles and amphibians.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2002.

Sakhya Sagar:

• Sakhya Sagar is a human-made reservoir on the outskirts of Shivpuri town within the Madhav National Park.
• The north-eastern part maintains open water and marsh areas almost year-round, whereas the north-western part is often dried out.
• The reservoir is shallow, alkaline, and nutrient-rich.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2022.

Sirpur Lake:

• Sirpur Wetland is a human-made wetland which supports some 175 terrestrial plant species, six macrophytes, 30 natural and cultured fish species, eight reptiles, and amphibians.
• The Site supports 130 bird species in all, including residents and migrants such as common pochard (Aythya ferina), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and Indian river tern (Sterna aurantia).
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2022.

Yashwant Sagar

• Yashwant Sagar is a dam reservoir on Gambhir river.
• It is one of the strongholds of the vulnerable Sarus crane in central India.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2022.

Maharashtra

Lonar Lake:

• Lonar Lake is an endorheic or closed basin, almost circular in shape, formed by a meteorite impact onto the basalt bedrock.
• The lake is high in salinity and alkalinity, as the lack of an outflow leads to a concentration of minerals as the lake water evaporates.
• Inhabiting the Site are 160 species of birds including the vulnerable Asian woollyneck (Ciconia episcopus) and common pochard (Aythya ferina), 46 species of reptiles, and 12 species of mammals including the iconic grey wolf (Canis lupus).
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2020.

Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary:

• Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is a Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site.
• Construction of the Nandur Madhameshwar Weir at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadwa Rivers helped create a thriving wetland.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2019.

Manipur

Loktak Lake:

• It is the largest freshwater lake in South Asia.
• Thick, floating mats of weeds covered with soil (phumids) are a characteristic feature of this lake.
• It was also listed under the Montreux Record on 16 June 1993.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 1990.

Mizoram

Pala Lake:

• Pala Wetland is the largest natural wetland in the state of Mizoram.
• The low-lying marshy areas within the wetland provide excellent habitat for many herbivores such as sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), wild pig (Sus scrofa) and barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak).
• Pala Wetland is revered by the local Mara people and has a deep connection with their history.
• It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.

To know about Ramsar Sites from other states click here.