Prime Minister Modi Celebrates Addition of Three New Ramsar Sites in India
New Delhi, India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his happiness on Wednesday over the increase in the number of Ramsar Sites in India. He congratulated the people of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh for the addition of three new sites from these states under the Ramsar Convention.
India has increased its tally of Ramsar Sites, which are wetlands of international importance, from 82 to 85. The new sites include Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.
Ramsar Sites are designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for their unique wetland types or their importance in conserving biological diversity. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement highlighting Modi’s joy over this achievement.
“Indeed a joyous occasion for India that our Ramsar sites number rises, indicating the priority we accord to sustainable development as well as living in harmony with nature. Special compliments to the people of MP and Tamil Nadu. We will continue to be at the forefront of such efforts in the times to come,” said Prime Minister Modi.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, also expressed his happiness on the eve of Independence Day 2024. He noted that the addition of these three Ramsar Sites reflects the emphasis PM Modi has placed on establishing harmony with nature and conserving wetlands, which he referred to as Amrit Dharohars.
“Triple joy! As the Nation gears up to celebrate its Independence Day, thrilled to share that we have added three Ramsar sites to our network. This takes our tally to 85 Ramsar sites, covering an area of 1,358,068 hectares in India,” said Bhupender Yadav.
India is a Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention, which was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India became a signatory on February 1, 1982. From 1982 to 2013, 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar Sites. However, from 2014 to 2024, India has added 59 new wetlands to the list. Currently, Tamil Nadu has the most Ramsar Sites (18), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
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Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the leader of India. He is like the head of the country and makes important decisions.
Ramsar Sites -: Ramsar Sites are special places that are protected because they are important for water birds and other wildlife. They are named after a city in Iran where an agreement to protect these places was made.
Tamil Nadu -: Tamil Nadu is a state in the southern part of India. It has many beautiful places and is known for its temples and culture.
Madhya Pradesh -: Madhya Pradesh is a state in the central part of India. It is known for its forests, wildlife, and historical sites.
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary -: Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is a protected area in Tamil Nadu where many different kinds of birds live and are safe.
Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary -: Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is another protected area in Tamil Nadu that is important for birds and other wildlife.
Tawa Reservoir -: Tawa Reservoir is a large water body in Madhya Pradesh. It is important for storing water and also supports many animals and plants.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav -: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav is a government official in India who helps make decisions about the environment and forests.
sustainable development -: Sustainable development means using resources in a way that meets our needs without harming the environment, so future generations can also use them.
wetland conservation -: Wetland conservation is the protection and management of areas where water covers the soil, like marshes and swamps, to keep them healthy for plants and animals.
