Surha Tal - India’s 100th Ramsar Site

Why in News?

Prime Minister lauds designation of India's 100th Ramsar site on World Environment Day.

• Location – Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
• Surah Taal – It is a freshwater wetland in the middle stretch of the Ganga River basin.
• It was originally formed from a meander of the Ganga and receives freshwater inflow through three channels.
• Origin – In 1991, ‘Surha Taal’ was created with the consolidation of the land area of 45 villages of Baansdih in the Ballia town area, aggregating to a total of 3432.93 hectares area.
• Renaming – In 2002, its name was changed to “Jai Prakash Narain Bird Sanctuary”.
• Landscape – The landscape in and around the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary is characterized by floodplains, extensive marshes, seasonally flooded areas and rice paddies.
• Refuge for Waterbirds – During the summer, when smaller wetlands dry out, the Site provides an important refuge for waterbirds.
• Species include the vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina) and the Indian river tern (Sterna aurantia).
• Biodiversity Supported – The Site supports a rich diversity of other species, including 221 plant species, 66 fish species, seven reptile species, and three amphibian species.
• Notable fish include the vulnerable Wallago attu and Bagarius bagarius.
• The abundance of fish also attracts the vulnerable fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), which uses the Site as a feeding ground.
• It serves as a critical wintering ground for avian species traveling along the Central Asian Flyway.
• Management Measures – To prevent over-fishing and resource depletion, authorities enforce seasonal controls & ban on destructive practices.

Globally, there are nearly 2,595 such designated wetlands under the 1971 Ramsar Convention.

India has the highest number of such wetlands in Asia & 3rd highest in the world after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).

To know more about Wetlands & Ramsar Sites, Click below

Ramsar 15th Cop; State wise Ramsar sites; World Wetlands Day

References

1. Indian Express | India’s 100th Ramsar site 

2. Times of India | India’s 100th Ramsar Site