The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Uttar Pradesh has been included in the list of Ramsar Sites, becoming India’s 100th wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
About Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal)
- It is a natural perennial oxbow lake situated in the middle reaches of the Ganga River basin.
- The lake originated from an abandoned meander of the Ganga River and receives freshwater inflows through three channels.
- Its landscape comprises floodplains, marshes, seasonally inundated areas, and agricultural fields, creating a diverse wetland ecosystem.
- The sanctuary serves as an important wintering ground for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway, besides supporting a variety of resident avifauna.
- It sustains rich biodiversity, including 221 plant species, 66 fish species, seven reptile species, and three amphibian species.
- Notable aquatic fauna include the vulnerable fish species Wallago attu and Bagarius bagarius.
Ramsar Convention
- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, and entered into force in 1975.
- It is the first intergovernmental treaty dedicated exclusively to wetland conservation and sustainable use.
- The Convention is guided by three core pillars:
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- Conservation of wetlands of international importance.
- Wise use of wetlands within national territories.
- International cooperation for shared wetland ecosystems and migratory species.
- The Convention currently has 172 Contracting Parties, committed to protecting and sustainably managing wetland resources.
- India joined the Convention in 1982, with Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park among its earliest designated Ramsar Sites.
