New Ramsar Sites

New Ramsar Sites Latest News

Recently, two wetlands from Bihar — Gokul Jalashaya in Buxar and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran — have received the Ramsar tag.

About Gokul Jalashaya

• Location: It is located in Buxar, Bihar
• It is an oxbow lake located on the southern edge of the Ganga (Ganges) River.
• The flood pulses of the Ganges influence land use and land cover in the wetland, exposing marshes and agricultural areas during the dry months and increasing inundation after monsoons.
• It acts as a buffer for nearby villages during flooding events,.
• Fauna: In total, over 50 bird species are found in the site and its surroundings; in the pre-monsoon season, exposed marshland and shrubs provide food and breeding habitats.
• Local communities rely on the wetland for fishing, farming and irrigation.

About Udaipur Jheel

• It is located in West Champaran, Bihar.
• It is also an oxbow lake, bordered to the north and west by the dense forest of Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Flora: Over 280 plant species are found in the wetland, including Alysicarpus roxburghianus, a perennial herb endemic to India.
• The wetland is an important wintering ground for around 35 migratory bird species, including the vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina).
• Threats: The wetland faces threats from illegal fishing and intensive agriculture, particularly the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Source: HT

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