Bihar: Human-made wetlands Nagi & Nakti recognised under Ramsar Convention

Sub: Environment

Sec: Protected Area

Context:

Bihar’s Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries have been designated as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
This recognition raises the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 82.
Bihar’s first Ramsar site, Kanwar Lake in Begusarai district, was designated in 2020.

About Nagi and Nakti wetlands:

The Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries are human-made wetlands located in Jamui district, Bihar.
These wetlands provide habitats for a wide variety of flora and fauna, especially migratory birds.
Nagi Bird Sanctuary spans 791 hectares, while Nakti covers 333 hectares.
Ecological Importance:
- The wetlands were developed primarily for irrigation via the Nakti Dam, which also created habitats for over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, and reptiles.
- Notable species include the endangered Indian elephant and the vulnerable native catfish Wallago Attu.
- The surrounding area comprises largely dry deciduous forest and hills.
Bird Habitat and Count:
- Designated as bird sanctuaries in 1984, these wetlands support over 20,000 birds during winter, including significant populations of the red-crested pochard.
- The Asiatic Waterbird Census 2023 reported the Nakti bird sanctuary as having the highest bird count with 7,844 birds, followed by the Nagi bird sanctuary with 6,938 birds.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

It is an international treaty for “the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands”.
It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands.
It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran.
The Convention was signed on 2nd of February 1971.
The 2nd of February each year is World Wetlands Day.
The number of parties to the convention (COP) is 171.
At the centre of the Ramsar philosophy is the “wise use” of wetlands.
Wise use: maintenance of ecological character within the context of sustainable development.
Australia was the first country to accede to the convention.
First Ramsar site: Cobourg Peninsula, Australia.
The countries with the most Sites are the United Kingdom with 175 and Mexico with 142.
Bolivia has the largest area under Ramsar protection.

Criteria for Identification of Wetlands under Ramsar Convention:

If a wetland:

contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type.
supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species; or threatened ecological communities.
supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.
supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles or provides refuge during adverse conditions.
regularly supports 20,000 or more water birds.
regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of water birds.
supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies.
is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path.
is an important source of food and water resource, increased possibilities for recreation and eco-tourism, etc.

The Montreux Record:

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands 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.
From India, Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are under Montreux record.

Ramsar sites:

Source: DTE