Patna Bird Sanctuary (UP) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat) added to India's Ramsar list; total now 98
On 31 January 2026 Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah (Uttar Pradesh) and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch (Gujarat) were added to the Ramsar list, taking India's Ramsar sites to 98.
Summary
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that two more Indian wetlands have been designated as Ramsar sites, ahead of World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2026. They are Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch district of Gujarat. With this, India's Ramsar network stands at 98 sites, up from 26 in 2014 (over 276% growth). Both wetlands host many migratory and resident birds, and wildlife such as chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats and desert foxes.
Key facts
- New sites
- Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah, Uttar Pradesh); Chhari-Dhand (Kutch, Gujarat)
- India's Ramsar sites
- 98 (26 in 2014; growth over 276%)
- Announced by
- Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, 31 Jan 2026
- Occasion
- Ahead of World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2026
- Ramsar Convention
- Signed at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971; India a signatory since 1 February 1982
- Wildlife
- Chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats, desert foxes, migratory birds
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Patna Bird Sanctuary, declared a Ramsar site in January 2026, is located in which district?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Etah, Uttar Pradesh
PIB: Patna Bird Sanctuary is in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh (not Patna in Bihar).
Chhari-Dhand, added to the Ramsar list on 31 January 2026, is in which district of Gujarat?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Kutch
Chhari-Dhand is in Kutch district of Gujarat, as announced by the Environment Minister on 31 January 2026.
After the two additions announced on 31 January 2026, how many Ramsar sites did India have?
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Correct answer: D — 98
PIB: India's Ramsar network grew from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites at present.
Consider the following statements about the Ramsar Convention: 1. It was signed at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. 2. India became a signatory to it on 1 February 1982. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: The Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, and India became a signatory on 1 February 1982.