Total Ramsar sites in India?
VerifiedAnswer: 42
Explanation:
India currently has 42 designated Ramsar sites, making it one of the countries with the highest number of wetlands of international importance. These sites are recognized under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982, and designated its first two wetlands - Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan - as Ramsar sites. Since then, the country has steadily increased its commitment to wetland conservation by adding more sites to this prestigious list.
These 42 sites span across various states and represent diverse types of wetland ecosystems including lakes, rivers, marshes, mangroves, coral reefs, and coastal areas. Some notable Ramsar sites include Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha, and Vembanad-Kol wetland in Kerala, which is India's longest lake and the largest Ramsar site in the country.
The designation of these sites as Ramsar wetlands brings several benefits including international recognition, enhanced protection status, and access to technical and financial support for conservation activities. Each site supports unique biodiversity, provides critical ecosystem services, and serves as important habitats for migratory birds, endemic species, and various flora and fauna.
The total area covered by India's Ramsar sites exceeds 1 million hectares, demonstrating the country's significant contribution to global wetland conservation. These wetlands play crucial roles in flood control, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them for fishing, agriculture, and tourism activities.
