In December 2025, Siliserh (Silisedh) Lake in Alwar district, Rajasthan, was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, becoming India's 96th Ramsar site and Rajasthan's fifth. The designation was announced alongside Kopra Jalashay in Chhattisgarh (India's 95th Ramsar site). Built in 1845 under Maharaja Vinay Singh of Alwar, the historic lake originally served as a drinking water source for Alwar city and today spans approximately 7 square kilometres. Located near the Sariska Tiger Reserve and lying within a semi-arid landscape, Siliserh supports exceptional biodiversity — including 149 bird species and 17 mammal species, among them the vulnerable river tern and the endangered Bengal tiger. The lake's ecological significance lies in its role as a critical bird habitat along migratory routes and as a water security asset in one of Rajasthan's most water-stressed regions. Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav welcomed the designation and highlighted that it would bolster conservation efforts, attract eco-tourism, and improve water-resource management. Rajasthan's five Ramsar sites — Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Sambhar Lake, Menar Wetland Complex, Khichan Wetland, and Siliserh Lake — reflect the state's rich wetland diversity spanning saline lakes, bird sanctuaries, and freshwater reservoirs. The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, mandates that designated sites must maintain their ecological character through conservation and wise use.