India has recently added four new wetlands to the Ramsar Convention’s list, increasing its total to 89 sites—the highest in Asia and third globally.
- The newly designated sites are:
- Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuaryin Tamil Nadu
- Therthangal Bird Sanctuaryin Tamil Nadu
- Khecheopalri Wetlandin Sikkim
- Udhwa Lakein Jharkhand
- This marks the first Ramsar site for both Sikkim and Jharkhand. Tamil Nadu now leads among Indian states with 20 Ramsar sites.
- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, provides a framework for national and international efforts to conserve and wisely use wetlands.
- World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands. This date marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention.
- The theme for 2025 is “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,”