The recent declaration of Lonar Lake in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district and Soor Sarovar at Agra as Ramsar sites places them on the global map for wetland conservation. This status is awarded by the International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Earlier this year, Kabartal Wetland in Bihar and the Asan Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand also received this coveted distinction. Now, India boosts a total of 41 Ramsar sites, the highest in South Asia. This article delves into specific details about these Ramsar sites and the benefits of this recognition.
The Lonar Lake: A Meteoric Wonder
Lonar Lake, located in Maharashtra, is uniquely situated on the volcanic basalt rock of the Deccan Plateau. Its creation dates back to 35,000 to 50,000 years ago, attributed to the impact of a meteor. The lake falls within the geographical boundary of the Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is managed by the Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR).
The lake is also known as the Lonar crater and has been recognized as a National Geo-heritage Monument. Geo-heritage represents geologically significant features that provide valuable insights into earth’s history or its evolution. The water in the lake is notably saline and alkaline, making it a habitat for unique microorganisms like anaerobes, Cyanobacteria and phytoplankton. Notably, the Lonar Lake is the second Ramsar site in Maharashtra following the Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary in Nashik district.
The Splendor of Soor Sarovar Lake
Soor Sarovar Lake, also known as Keetham Lake, is located in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra alongside the Yamuna river. It is within the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, which was declared a bird sanctuary in 1991. Covering an area of 7.97 sq km, the sanctuary is home to over 165 species of migratory and resident birds and also hosts a Bear Rescue centre for rescued dancing bears.
Benefits of Ramsar Status
The Ramsar status offers numerous benefits to the sites. They gain international recognition and prestige along with financial aid through the Ramsar Convention’s grant. The sites also receive expert guidance on dealing with national and site-related issues.
Ramsar Site: A Global Initiative for Wetland Conservation
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty established in 1971 in Ramsar, an Iranian city located on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. It was adopted by India on February 1st, 1982. The convention awards the designation of ‘Ramsar sites’ to those wetlands that hold international importance. Its mission emphasizes the conservation and wise usage of all wetlands through local, national actions and international cooperation, contributing to sustainable global development.
The Montreux Record, maintained as part of the Ramsar List, is a register of internationally important wetland sites where ecological changes have occurred or are expected due to technological developments, pollution, or other human interference. Presently, two Indian wetlands feature in the Montreux Record – Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur). Chilika Lake in Odisha, once listed in the Montreux Record, has since been removed.