Why in News?
India announced new Ramsar sites on World Wetlands Day recently.
World Wetlands Day, 2025
- February 2 is annually marked as World Wetlands Day.
- Aim - To spread awareness about conserving one of the most critical ecosystems on the planet.
- Theme, 2025 - “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.
- Wetlands - Wetlands are regions covered by water either perennially or seasonally, such as marshes and lakes.
- They are vital reservoirs of biodiversity, aid water conservation and provide habitat for numerous migratory birds, aquatic species, and plant life.
- They also help recharge groundwater, control floods and support fisheries and local communities.
- From the point of view of climate change mitigation, wetlands are important carbon sinks, absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release.
Ramsar Convention
- Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that aims to conserve wetlands and their resources.
- It was the first modern treaty between nations to conserve natural resources
- It was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar and came into force in 1975.
- These sites receive international support for conservation and management.
- Pillars - Provides a framework for national action and international cooperation
- Protects sites of global importance
- Ensures the sustainable use and conservation of wetlands
- Main bodies of the Ramsar Convention - The Conference of the Parties (COP) and Standing Committee.
- There are currently over 2,400 Ramsar Sites around the world.
- Ramsar sites in India - India has 89 Ramsar sites. Tamil Nadu has the most Ramsar sites at 20.
- India recently announced 4 new Ramsar sites under the global agreement Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
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Newly Added Ramsar Sites, 2025
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Udhwa Lake
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Jharkhand
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Theerthangal
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Tamil Nadu
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Sakkarakottai
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Tamil Nadu
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Khecheopalri
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Sikkim
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Reference
The Indian Express | World Wetlands Day
