Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary Designated as India's Historic 100th Ramsar Site
The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh has been officially designated as India's 100th Ramsar Site, marking a monumental milestone in wetland conservation.
A Historic Milestone for Indian Wetlands
India has achieved a historic environmental milestone by designating the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (also known as Surha Taal) in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh as its 100th Ramsar site. This designation under the Ramsar Convention highlights the wetland's international importance in conserving global biological diversity, particularly as a crucial wintering ground for migratory avian species along the Central Asian Flyway.
Significance of the Sanctuary
Surha Taal is an oxbow lake formed by the meandering of the Ganga River. It spans over 34 square kilometers and provides habitat for thousands of migratory birds, including Siberian cranes and various species of ducks, during the winter months. The formal Ramsar status will bring in dedicated Central funding for the sanctuary's scientific management, combating local threats like agricultural encroachment and siltation.
Static GK Fact Check
- Ramsar Convention: An international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
- World Wetlands Day: Celebrated annually on February 2nd to mark the date of the adoption of the Convention.
- State with Maximum Ramsar Sites in India: Tamil Nadu, followed closely by Uttar Pradesh.
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