The Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh district has been officially designated as a new Ramsar site, making it the 99th such site in India and the 12th in Uttar Pradesh. This recognition was announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who emphasized the significance of this milestone in India's wetland conservation efforts.
A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty established in 1971 for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. The designation highlights the ecological value of Shekha Jheel, which serves as a critical stopover on the Central Asian Flyway, providing essential habitat for migratory birds such as the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and various duck species during the winter season.
Uttar Pradesh's Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge), Arun Kumar Saxena, credited Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for this achievement. He noted that the Ramsar designation will promote tourism in the region and create local employment opportunities.
With 12 Ramsar sites, Uttar Pradesh now ranks second among Indian states, following Tamil Nadu, which has approximately 20 such sites. The combined area of all Ramsar wetlands in Uttar Pradesh is 39,914.27 hectares, representing about 3.21% of the state's total wetland area of 1,242,530 hectares, according to the National Wetland Atlas.
The Uttar Pradesh Forest Minister stressed the importance of wetland conservation for biodiversity, water resources, and ecological balance. The State Wetland Authority has initiated the preparation of Ramsar Information Sheets for significant wetlands in the state, aiming to designate them as wetlands of international importance. As part of this ongoing effort, the Ramsar Secretariat officially notified Shekha Bird Sanctuary as a Ramsar site on April 21.
This initiative for wetland conservation will not only reinforce the preservation of biodiversity but also play a pivotal role in safeguarding migratory birds, ensuring water security, maintaining ecological balance, and empowering the livelihoods of local communities, the minister added.
In February, the Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah was also notified as a Ramsar site. Other Ramsar sites in Uttar Pradesh include Haiderpur Wetland in Muzaffarnagar, Bakhira Bird Sanctuary in Sant Kabir Nagar, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Unnao, Parvati Aranga in Gonda, Saman in Mainpuri, Samaspur in Rae Bareli, Sandi in Hardoi, Sarsai Nawar in Etawah, Keetham Lake in Sur Sarovar Sanctuary in Agra, and the Upper Ganga River stretch from Brigghat to Narora.
