How many wetlands are there in India?
VerifiedAnswer: 42
Explanation:
India is home to 42 wetlands that are recognized under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for wetland conservation. These wetlands are officially known as Ramsar Sites and represent some of the most ecologically important aquatic ecosystems in the country.
The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Iran, aims to protect wetlands of international importance. India became a signatory to this convention in 1982, and since then, it has been steadily adding significant wetlands to this prestigious list. These 42 designated wetlands span across different states and union territories, covering diverse ecosystems from coastal mangroves to high-altitude lakes.
Some of India's most famous Ramsar wetlands include:
• Chilika Lake in Odisha - India's largest brackish water lagoon and winter home to over one million migratory birds • Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan - A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its incredible bird diversity • Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir - One of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia • Sundarbans in West Bengal - The world's largest mangrove forest and tiger habitat • Loktak Lake in Manipur - Famous for its floating islands called phumdis
These wetlands serve multiple crucial functions in India's ecosystem. They act as natural water filters, flood controllers, and groundwater recharge systems. They also provide livelihoods to millions of people through fishing, agriculture, and tourism activities. Many of these wetlands are critical stopover points for migratory birds traveling along the Central Asian Flyway.
The designation as Ramsar Sites brings international recognition and emphasizes the need for their conservation. However, it's important to note that India has thousands of other wetlands beyond these 42 officially recognized ones. The total number of wetlands in India, including smaller lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and seasonal water bodies, runs into hundreds of thousands.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change continues to evaluate and nominate additional wetlands for Ramsar designation, ensuring that India's most valuable aquatic ecosystems receive the protection and international recognition they deserve.
