Archive · 31 Jan 2026
India Designates Two New Ramsar Wetlands
India has added two new wetlands, Patna Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Gujarat, to a special list called Ramsar sites.
These sites are important for protecting nature.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav are happy about this.
They say it shows India cares about keeping these places safe for animals and plants.
There are now 98 such sites in India.
These wetlands are home to many birds and other animals, like wolves and desert foxes.
The government has been adding more of these sites since 2014.
The Patna Bird Sanctuary is especially important for birds and has been recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
Gujarat is also hosting a big meeting about wetlands to talk about how to protect them better.
Patna Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Gujarat designated as Ramsar wetlands.
Total Ramsar sites in India now stands at 98, a 276% increase since 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav congratulated the local population and conservationists.
The wetlands are home to hundreds of migratory and resident avian species, as well as various mammals and endangered birds.
The designation reaffirms India's commitment to preserving biodiversity and protecting vital ecosystems.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, local population, wetland conservationists, Gujarat government
- What
- Designation of Patna Bird Sanctuary and Chhari-Dhand as Ramsar wetlands
- When
- January 31, 2026
- Where
- Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah, Uttar Pradesh; Chhari-Dhand in Kutch, Gujarat, India
- Why
- To conserve unique ecosystems and biodiversity under the Ramsar Convention
Conservationists
Development Advocates
Wetland Conservation
Conservationists
Conservationists emphasize the importance of protecting wetlands for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Development Advocates
Development advocates argue that some wetlands could be used for infrastructure projects to support economic growth.
- New Ramsar Sites
- Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh), Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat)
- Total Ramsar Sites in India
- 98
- Biodiversity
- Migratory and resident avian species, chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats, desert foxes, endangered birds
- Government Commitment
- 276% increase in Ramsar sites since 2014
- Significance
- Conservation of vital ecosystems and biodiversity
- Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA)
- Patna Bird Sanctuary
- World Wetlands Day
- February 2
- Ramsar Convention Signatory
- India (1982)
- Chhari-Dhand Area
- 227 square kilometres (22,700 hectares)
- Bird Species at Chhari-Dhand
- Over 250 species, including Dalmatian Pelican, Oriental Darter, Black-necked Stork, Indian Skimmer, Flamingos, Common Cranes, Painted Storks, Raptors, Spoonbills
- Gujarat Wetlands
- 3.49 lakh hectares (21.9% of India's total wetland area)
Sources
Patna Bird Sanctuary and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch designated Ramsar wetlands, India now has 98 sites
Delighted that Patna Bird Sanctuary, Chhari-Dhand are Ramsar Sites: PM Modi
Gujarat’s Chhari-Dhand, Etah’s Patna bird sanctuary wetland get Ramsar site tag
Kutch’s Chhari-Dhand Bird Sanctuary becomes Gujarat’s fifth Ramsar site
Kutch's Chhari-Dhand Bird Sanctuary Becomes Gujarat's Fifth Ramsar Site
Etah’s Patna Bird Sanctuary added to Ramsar list; PM, Environment Minister extend congratulations
Gujarat govt to convene International Wetland Seminar in Porbandar
