India adds four new Ramsar sites, taking its tally to 89; Sikkim and Jharkhand get their first
On 31 January 2025, in New Delhi, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced four new Ramsar sites, Sakkarakottai and Therthangal (Tamil Nadu), Khecheopalri (Sikkim) and Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand), taking India's total to 89.
Summary
On 31 January 2025, in New Delhi, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced, ahead of World Wetlands Day, that four more Indian wetlands had been added to the Ramsar list: Sakkarakottai and Therthangal Bird Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim and Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand. This took India's Ramsar sites to 89, spread over 25 States and UTs according to the Environment Ministry's list. These are the first Ramsar sites of Sikkim and Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu continues to have the most Ramsar sites (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10). India has been a party to the Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, since 1982.
Key facts
- Announced
- 31 Jan 2025 by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav
- New sites
- Sakkarakottai and Therthangal Bird Sanctuaries (TN); Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim); Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand)
- India's total
- 89 Ramsar sites in 25 States/UTs
- Firsts
- First Ramsar sites of Sikkim and Jharkhand
- Most sites
- Tamil Nadu 20, Uttar Pradesh 10
- Ramsar Convention
- Signed 1971; India a party since 1982
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which of the following was NOT among the four wetlands added to India's Ramsar list, as announced on 31 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
PIB (2 Feb 2025) and TOI (31 Jan 2025): the four new sites were Sakkarakottai and Therthangal (Tamil Nadu), Khecheopalri (Sikkim) and Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand). Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary was already on the list (MoEFCC list, as on 30.01.2025), so Nanjarayan is NOT one of the four.
After the four additions announced on 31 January 2025, which State had the maximum number of Ramsar sites in India?
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Correct answer: A — Tamil Nadu
PIB (2 Feb 2025): Tamil Nadu continues to have the maximum number of Ramsar sites (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
Consider the following statements about the Ramsar Convention: 1. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was signed in 1971. 2. India has been a party to the Convention since 1982. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (2 Feb 2025): World Wetlands Day commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971, and India is a party to the Convention since 1982, so both statements are correct.