- Context: In a significant development for India’s environmental conservation efforts, two wetlands from Bihar—Gokul Jalashay in Buxar and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran—have been designated as Ramsar Sites of International Importance.
More on News:
- Announced on September 27, 2025, this inclusion takes India’s tally of Ramsar Sites to 93, reaffirming the country’s growing leadership in global wetland conservation.
- This recognition not only enhances the ecological profile of Bihar—a state with historically underrepresented natural heritage—but also underscores India’s commitment to protecting vital ecosystems amidst the growing challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
- Together, these wetlands expand the protected wetland area and highlight the ecological diversity of Bihar, a state where wetlands are often under threat due to encroachments and agricultural pressure.
Significance of Ramsar Designation
1. Conservation Support
- Brings wetlands under a global monitoring framework.
- Attracts technical and financial assistance for restoration and sustainable use.
2. Biodiversity Protection
- Wetlands are critical habitats for migratory birds, acting as resting and breeding grounds during transcontinental journeys.
3. Ecosystem Services
- Flood mitigation, water purification, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation.
- Source of sustainable livelihoods through fisheries, agriculture, and ecotourism.
4. Community Engagement
- Encourages participatory management and links conservation with local economies.
Key Frameworks:
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 48A: Directive for environmental protection.
- Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty of citizens to protect natural resources.
- Challenges to Wetland Health in India
- Despite growing recognition, wetlands in India face multiple threats:
Legal Instruments
- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Policy Initiatives
- National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP)
- National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP)
- National Wildlife Action Plan
- State Wetland Authorities under the 2017 Rules