Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries Recognised as Ramsar Sites

1. Recently, on World Environment Day (5 June), the Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Bihar have been recognized as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Both the Ramsar Sites are manmade reservoirs located in Jhajha forest range of Jamui district in Bihar.

• This brings the total number of such wetlands in India to 82.
• Currently, United Kingdom (UK) has most number of Ramsar Sites in the world with 175 Ramsar sites followed by Mexico with 144 sites.
• India and China have the third largest number of Ramsar Sites at 82 sites each.

Key Characteristics of Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries

Feature	Nagi Bird Sanctuary	Nakti Bird Sanctuary
Type of wetland	Man-Made
Formation	after the construction of Nagi Dam on the Nagi River.	after the construction of Nakti Dam on the Nakti River. (Nakti River is a tributary of Koel River).
Location	Jamui District, Bihar
Recognition as Bird Sanctuary	In 1984
Biodiversity	Over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, reptiles, and amphibians
Important Species	Indian Elephant (Endangered), Native Catfish (Vulnerable), largest congregations of red-crested pochard on the Indo-Gangetic plains	Baer's pochard (Critically Endangered), Steppe Eagle (Endangered), largest congregations of bar-headed goose on the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Ramsar Convention

1. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO, aimed at conserving wetlands of international importance.
2. In India, it came into force on 1st February 1982, under which wetlands of international importance are declared as Ramsar sites.
3. Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Importance of Wetlands

1. Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating water cycles, and providing ecosystem services.
2. They provide habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, many of which are threatened or endangered.
3. Wetlands also help to mitigate the effects of climate change by storing carbon, reducing flood risk, and improving water quality.

India's Initiatives for Ramsar Sites

1. Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
2. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)
3. Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme
4. National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP): It was launched in 1985, to tackle threats to vulnerable wetland ecosystems and enhance their conservation.

Note

1. World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on the 2nd of February across the globe.
2. The Kanwar Lake in Bihar's Begusarai district was designated as the state's first Ramsar Site in 2020.

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