The Convention on Wetlands has declared Siliserh Lake in Alwar, Rajasthan, and Kopra reservoir in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, as India’s 95th and 96th Ramsar sites, respectively. This recognition is a significant boost to India’s biodiversity conservation, water conservation, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods efforts.
Siliserh Lake, covering 315.97 hectares, is an artificial lake built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh. It provides drinking water to the city of Alwar and caters to the irrigation needs of local communities. The lake is home to diverse aquatic habitats, including migratory water birds, threatened mammal and reptile species, and supports a high concentration of both migratory and resident water bird species.
Kopra reservoir, constructed in 1993, serves both domestic and irrigation needs. It supports about 149 species of birds, more than 150 species of plants, and various species of reptiles, butterflies, insects, amphibians, and fishes. The reservoir is a vital source of freshwater for local communities, who rely on it for livelihood through fisheries, aquatic plants, and other activities.
The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, aims to conserve and manage wetlands worldwide. A wetland is considered internationally important if it represents a rare or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland, supports vulnerable or endangered species, or regularly supports a significant proportion of waterbirds or wetland-dependent non-avian animal species.
India, with 96 designated Ramsar sites covering an area of 1,537,957 hectares, stands first in South Asia and third in Asia in terms of the number of designated sites. The country’s diverse range of wetlands, including natural and human-made habitats, supports a wide variety of plant and animal species, and provides essential ecosystem services, including water regulation, shoreline stabilization, and carbon sequestration.
The recognition of Siliserh Lake and Kopra reservoir as Ramsar sites highlights the importance of conserving and managing India’s wetlands to maintain their ecological character and support the country’s rich biodiversity. It also underscores the need for international cooperation, policy-making, capacity building, and technology transfer to conserve wetlands globally.
In conclusion, the declaration of Siliserh Lake and Kopra reservoir as Ramsar sites is a significant milestone in India’s efforts to conserve its wetlands and promote sustainable development. The country’s commitment to the Ramsar Convention and its efforts to protect its wetlands will have a positive impact on biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable livelihoods, both nationally and globally.
The list of Ramsar sites in India includes a wide range of wetlands, such as Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Sultanpur National Park, and Vembanad-Kol Wetland, among others. These sites support a diverse range of plant and animal species and provide essential ecosystem services, including water regulation, shoreline stabilization, and carbon sequestration.
Overall, the recognition of Siliserh Lake and Kopra reservoir as Ramsar sites is a significant step towards conserving India’s wetlands and promoting sustainable development. It highlights the importance of international cooperation, policy-making, capacity building, and technology transfer in conserving wetlands globally and promoting biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable livelihoods.