Surha Tal (Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary) in Ballia becomes India's 100th Ramsar site
On 5 June 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the designation of Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, as India's 100th Ramsar site.
Summary
The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as India's 100th Ramsar site, taking the country to a century of wetlands of international importance, as the Prime Minister noted on 5 June 2026. The wetland is rich in avifaunal biodiversity and attracts many migratory and resident birds. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the oldest of the modern global intergovernmental environmental agreements, was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
Key facts
- Announced
- 5 June 2026
- Site
- Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal)
- Location
- Ballia, Uttar Pradesh
- Milestone
- India's 100th Ramsar site
- Feature
- Rich in migratory and resident birds
- Static: Ramsar Convention
- Adopted at Ramsar, Iran, 1971; in force 1975
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which wetland was designated as India's 100th Ramsar site, as hailed by the Prime Minister on 5 June 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal)
The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, is India's 100th Ramsar site.
Surha Tal, India's 100th Ramsar site, is located in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Ballia
Surha Tal (Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary) is in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1971 in which country?
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Correct answer: A — Iran
Ramsar.org: the Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Ramsar Convention came into force in 1975. 2. Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, India's 100th Ramsar site, is in Bihar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct per ramsar.org. Statement 2 is wrong: the sanctuary (Surha Tal) is in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.