Context:
Recently, the Government of India announced that Gokul Jalashay in Buxar district and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran district, both in Bihar, have been officially designated as Ramsar Sites. With these additions, India’s total number of Ramsar Sites rises to 93.
About the Sites:
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Gokul Jalashay |
Located in Buxar district, Bihar; area ~ 448 hectares. It is an oxbow lake or “dead arm” of the Ganges. The wetland supports over 50 species of birds, especially around pre‑monsoon marshes and shrubby vegetation. Local communities depend on the wetland for agriculture, fishing, and irrigation. |
|
Udaipur Jheel (Lake) |
Located in West Champaran district, Bihar; area ~ 319 hectares. It lies on an oxbow lake in the floodplain of the Gandaki (or a tributary) and forms part of the Udaypur Wildlife Sanctuary. The wetland is a habitat for resident and migratory water‑birds. It also features swamp forests and stands of Khair‑Sissoo along riparian zones. |
About Ramsar Sites and Wetland Conservation:
Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, recognized under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty signed in 1971 for the conservation and wise use of these ecosystems.
· These designated sites receive protection and international recognition for their significant role in global biodiversity and for sustaining human life through essential services like water purification, flood control, and climate regulation.
· India became a signatory to the convention in 1982, initially designating Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) as Ramsar sites. As of now, India has 93 Ramsar sites covering over 13 lakh hectares.
India’s Wetland Conservation Policies:
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- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: Mandate state-level wetland authorities and community involvement in wetland conservation.
- National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), 2015: An integrated scheme combining the National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) and the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) to protect aquatic ecosystems.
- Mission Sahbhagita is a citizen engagement program aimed at wetlands conservation. Along with the Save Wetlands Campaign, it has mobilized over 2 million people, led to the ground-truthing of 1.7 lakh wetlands, and boundary demarcation of 1 lakh wetlands across India.
- Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme, 2023: Trains government officials, conservationists, and local communities to enhance wetland management using sustainable practices and traditional knowledge.
- Mission Amrit Sarovar: Focuses on creating and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district to promote water security and local employment.
- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: Mandate state-level wetland authorities and community involvement in wetland conservation.
Conclusion:
The inclusion of Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheel as Ramsar Sites not only strengthens India’s commitment to wetland conservation but also enhances the ecological resilience of Bihar. These designations spotlight the rich biodiversity, hydrological importance, and community‑dependence of these water bodies
