India has added two more sites to the global Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance, marking a significant conservation milestone ahead of World Wetlands Day on February 2. The announcement was made by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, taking India’s total Ramsar sites to 98.
The newly recognised wetlands are Patna Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Chhari Dhand in Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the development, noting that it reflects India’s growing commitment to biodiversity conservation. Since 2014, the country’s Ramsar network has expanded nearly fourfold.
Despite being Uttar Pradesh’s smallest bird sanctuary, Patna Bird Sanctuary supports tens of thousands of migratory birds each winter, including pelicans and spoonbills. In contrast, Chhari Dhand, a seasonal desert wetland in Kutch, plays a critical role as a migratory stopover and habitat for flamingos and rare desert wildlife.
Together, the two sites highlight the ecological diversity and conservation value of India’s wetlands.
