• India has designated its 100th Ramsar site, the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, on World Environment Day, signifying a commitment to wetland conservation.
• The Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971, is an international treaty focused on the conservation and wise use of wetlands, with India joining in 1982 and now having 100 sites listed as Wetlands of International Importance.
• Wetlands are crucial transitional ecosystems between land and water, supporting immense biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services such as water purification, flood control, and carbon sequestration, often referred to as the 'kidneys' of the landscape.
• Surha Tal, a natural perennial oxbow lake, serves as a vital wintering ground for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway and is significant for irrigation and groundwater recharge.
• Despite their importance, wetlands are under severe threat globally, with significant loss and degradation attributed to land conversion for agriculture, urbanization, infrastructure development, pollution, and climate change.
• The Indian government's definition of wetlands, as per the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, excludes river channels, paddy fields, and areas used for commercial activities.
• Initiatives like the 'Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes' (MISHTI) aim to promote and conserve mangroves, which act as natural bio-shields and support livelihoods, reflecting a broader strategy for coastal ecosystem resilience and blue economy growth.