- Context (TOI | TOI): Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Reservoir in Chhattisgarh were recently designated as Ramsar Sites.
India’s New Ramsar Sites
- These additions increased India’s total number of Ramsar sites to 96.
Kopra Reservoir
- Kopra Reservoir is India’s 95th and Chhattisgarh’s first Ramsar site, located in Bilaspur district.
- It is a unique ecosystem blending both naturaland man-made features.
- Originally built for irrigation and water supply, it naturally evolved into a wetland ecosystem.
- The reservoir is primarily rain-fed and supported by seasonal streams of the upper Mahanadi basin.
- It serves as a winter halt and stopover for migratory birds. Key species include Egyptian vulture, greater spotted eagle, common pochard, and woolly-necked stork.
Siliserh Lake
- Siliserh is a man-made lake located in the Aravalli Hills, near Alwar city, Rajasthan.
- It was created in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh to supply drinking water to Alwar city.
- The lake was formed by building a dam on a tributary of the Ruparel River.
- It covers about 7 square kilometres and lies within the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve.
- Siliserh Lake has been designated India’s 96th Ramsar site and the fifth in Rajasthan.
- It is a critical freshwater ecosystem in a semi-arid region, supporting over 100 bird species.
| Ramsar SitesRamsar Sites are Wetlands of International Importance designated under the Ramsar Convention.Adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, the convention promotes wetland conservation and wise use.India ratified the convention in 1982.India Count: As of December 2025, India has a total of 96 Ramsar Sites.State Leaders: Tamil Nadu leads with 20 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh (10) and Bihar (6).First Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) became India’s first Ramsar sites in 1981.Size Extremes: Sundarbans Wetland (West Bengal) is the largest Ramsar site, while Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh) is the smallest in India. |
