On 5 June 2026 (World Environment Day), the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, was designated as India’s 100th Ramsar site. This milestone positions India as the leader in Asia and third globally in the number of Ramsar-protected wetlands.
Ecological Profile of Surha Tal
- Geological Origin: A perennial oxbow lake formed by the meandering Ganga River.
- Hydrology: Covers a core area of 3,432.93 hectares, expanding to nearly 25,000 hectares during the monsoon.
- Biodiversity: A crucial wintering ground on the Central Asian Flyway. It hosts 221 plant species, 66 fish species (including Wallago attu), and supports the Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).
- Key Species: Supports vulnerable avian species like the Common Pochard and Indian River Tern.
- History: Declared a bird sanctuary in 1991, it was renamed in honor of Jai Prakash Narayan in 2002.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Ramsar Convention: Signed in 1971 (Iran), it promotes the “Wise Use” principle for wetland conservation.
- India’s Stance: India ratified the convention on 1 February 1982. The first sites (1981) were Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan).
- State Rankings: Tamil Nadu leads with 20 Ramsar sites; Uttar Pradesh follows with 13.
- Montreux Record: Only two Indian sites remain on this record of threatened wetlands: Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake.
- Legal Framework: Wetlands in India are protected under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.