Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh becomes India's 99th Ramsar site; Uttar Pradesh's 12th
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on 22 April 2026 that Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated a Ramsar site, taking India's total to 99 and Uttar Pradesh's to 12.
Summary
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated a Ramsar site, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on 22 April 2026, taking India's total to 99 and Uttar Pradesh's tally to 12. Yadav said the wetland is a crucial stopover on the Central Asian Flyway, sheltering migratory birds such as the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork and various ducks in winter. The Ramsar Information Sheet lists the date of designation as 19 January 2026 and notes that the sanctuary, in Koil tehsil of Aligarh, was notified under Section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 by the Uttar Pradesh government in February 2016.
Key facts
- Site
- Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Koil tehsil, Aligarh (UP)
- Count
- India's 99th Ramsar site; Uttar Pradesh's 12th
- Announced
- Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, 22 April 2026
- Designation date (Ramsar RIS)
- 19 January 2026
- Flyway / birds
- Central Asian Flyway; Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, ducks
- Protection
- Notified under Section 18, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (UP order, 08.02.2016)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, designated India's 99th Ramsar site (announced April 2026), is located in which district?
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Correct answer: B — Aligarh
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary is in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh.
With the designation of Shekha Jheel in April 2026, Uttar Pradesh's tally of Ramsar sites rose to:
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Correct answer: D — 12
The minister said Shekha Jheel took India's total to 99 and Uttar Pradesh's tally to 12.
Consider the following statements about Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary: 1. It is a stopover on the Central Asian Flyway for birds such as the Bar-headed Goose and Painted Stork. 2. According to its Ramsar Information Sheet, its date of designation is 19 January 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the minister described it as a Central Asian Flyway stopover, and the Ramsar Information Sheet lists the designation date as 19 January 2026.