Five more Wetlands added to Ramsar list
Published on 29 Mar 2025
• India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites to 80 by adding five more wetlands to the list on the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024.
Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka)
Formed at the confluence of the Aghanashini River with the Arabian Sea, covering an area of 4801 hectares.
It provides diverse ecosystem services, including flood and erosion risk mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood support.
The estuary also supports over 43,000 waterbirds of over 66 species.
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (Karnataka)
A human-made wetland nearly 50 hectares in size, home to over 166 species of birds, of which 130 are migratory.
It harbours two vulnerable species and four near-threatened species, and nearly 8,000 birds visit the site during winter.
It is also one of the largest wintering grounds for the Bar-headed goose.
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (Karnataka)
A human-made village irrigation tank spread over 98.76 hectares, home to over 240 species of birds, including over 30,000 water birds that nest and roost there.
It also supports more than 1% of the biogeographic population of Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis.
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
One of the largest inland wetlands in Tamil Nadu, covering an area of 453.72 hectares.
It is a significant source of groundwater recharge for the area and provides water for agriculture.
Karaivetti has one of the largest congregations of waterbirds in Tamil Nadu and a significant breeding ground for threatened bird species like the grey- headed lapwing and the Indian skimmer.
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (Tamil Nadu)
Derives its name from the Tamil word “Solai” for “tropical rainforest”.
Home to a variety of endemic bird species, including the globally endangered Black- chinned Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin, and vulnerable Nilgiri Wood- pigeon.
