Published: 30 January 2026PIB / PM India / DD NewsEnvironment
India Adds Two New Ramsar Wetland Sites, Total Reaches 98 Ahead of World Wetlands Day
On January 31, 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the addition of two new wetlands to India's Ramsar list — Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch, Gujarat — ahead of World Wetlands Day observed on February 2. With this, India's total count of Ramsar-designated wetlands rose to 98, reflecting a 276% expansion since 2014.
Patna Bird Sanctuary, the smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh spread over just over one square kilometre, hosts over 60,000 migratory birds during peak winter. Chhari-Dhand is a seasonal saline desert wetland in Kutch that expands to 80 square kilometres during a good monsoon. It harbours rare biodiversity including chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert foxes, and several endangered bird species. PM Modi congratulated the local communities for conservation efforts, reaffirming India's commitment to preserving biodiversity and meeting its international obligations under the Ramsar Convention.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionEasy
On which date is World Wetlands Day observed annually?
Explanation · Correct answer BWorld Wetlands Day is observed on February 2 each year, commemorating the signing of the Ramsar Convention on February 2, 1971.
Frequently asked questions
Which two sites were added to India's Ramsar list on January 31, 2026, and in which states are they located?
Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat) were added to India's Ramsar Wetland Sites list on January 31, 2026. This brought India's total number of Ramsar sites to 98.
What is the Ramsar Convention and what obligations does it place on India?
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971 that provides the framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands worldwide. Designation requires India to maintain the ecological character of listed sites and integrate wetland conservation into national policy.
By what percentage did India's Ramsar site count increase since 2014 and what does this indicate?
India's Ramsar tally increased by 276% since 2014, rising from 26 sites to 98 sites by January 2026. This dramatic increase reflects the government's accelerated commitment to wetland conservation as part of its environmental governance agenda.
Why are wetlands ecologically important according to the Ramsar framework?
Wetlands play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, flood control, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, and water purification. The Ramsar framework recognises wetlands as ecosystems of international importance whose degradation threatens both wildlife habitats and human communities.
What is the significance of World Wetlands Day and when was it observed in 2026?
World Wetlands Day is observed on February 2 each year to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands. The announcement of India's two new Ramsar sites on January 31, 2026 was made just ahead of World Wetlands Day, highlighting India's conservation commitment.
