Sukhna Wetland, History, Location, Biodiversity and Ramsar Status

Sukhna Wetland is a freshwater, human-made wetland located on the northeastern edge of Chandigarh, at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills, which form part of the Outer Himalayas. It is an important habitat for resident and migratory waterbirds and helps regulate water and sediment flows from its surrounding catchment. 

Why Is Sukhna Wetland in the News?

On 15 October 2026, India designated Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, bringing the country’s total number of Ramsar Sites to 103.

Sukhna Wetland Location and Background 

Sukhna Wetland is situated at the edge of Chandigarh, near the Shivalik Hills. It is associated with Sukhna Lake, a human-made reservoir that forms an important part of the city’s landscape.

• Origin: Sukhna Lake was created in 1958 by damming the seasonal Sukhna Choe, which flows down from the Shivalik Hills. The lake was developed as part of Chandigarh’s master plan, conceived by the French architect Le Corbusier.
• Catchment area: The surrounding catchment includes hilly terrain and plains across Chandigarh and adjoining areas of Punjab and Haryana.
• Nature of the wetland: Seasonal changes in water levels support different habitats, including open water, vegetation along the water’s edge, scrub and forest.

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Sukhna Wetland Ecological Significance 

Sukhna Wetland supports biodiversity and performs important ecological functions in an urban landscape.

• Habitat for waterbirds: It provides feeding, breeding, roosting and wintering grounds for resident waterbirds and migratory birds.
• Central Asian Flyway: The wetland supports birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway, an important migratory route connecting breeding and non-breeding areas across Eurasia and adjoining regions.
• Habitat diversity: Its combination of open water, shallow margins, vegetation, scrub and forest supports a variety of wildlife.
• Regulation of water and sediment: The reservoir helps regulate the movement of water and sediment from the surrounding catchment.
• Urban ecological refuge: Located beside a major city, it provides a natural habitat and a resource for environmental education and recreation.

Important Species Found in Sukhna Wetland

The wetland supports several species of conservation concern, particularly waterbirds and reptiles.

• Common pochard (Aythya ferina): A migratory diving duck classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• Pallas’s fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus): A large bird of prey classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Black pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii): An endangered freshwater turtle that uses shallow wetland habitats.

These species highlight the importance of protecting the wetland’s aquatic habitats and the wider landscape that sustains them.

Threats to Sukhna Wetland

Despite its ecological importance, Sukhna Wetland faces pressures associated with its catchment and surrounding urban landscape.

• Siltation: Soil erosion in the Shivalik catchment carries sediment into the reservoir, reducing its water-storage capacity and affecting aquatic habitats.
• Invasive species: Invasive plants can spread rapidly and compete with native vegetation, altering the wetland’s ecological character.
• Catchment degradation: Changes in land use and inadequate soil conservation can increase erosion and sediment inflow.
• Urban pressure: Its location next to Chandigarh makes effective management of the wetland and its surrounding catchment particularly important.

Sukhna Wetland Conservation Measures 

A management plan is in place to address sediment inflow and invasive species. Ramsar designation further highlights the need for effective conservation.

• Soil and moisture conservation: Measures in the catchment help reduce soil erosion and the amount of sediment entering the reservoir.
• Vegetation and afforestation: Appropriate vegetation cover helps stabilise soil and protect the fragile Shivalik catchment.
• Removal of invasive plants: Periodic removal of invasive species helps maintain suitable habitats for native biodiversity.
• Catchment management: Conservation requires coordination across the hilly catchment and adjoining areas, rather than focusing only on the lake.
• Monitoring and public awareness: Regular ecological monitoring, environmental education and responsible recreation can support long-term conservation.

What Is the Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and entered into force in 1975.

Its main objective is to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands through national action and international cooperation. Wetlands designated under the treaty are included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance, commonly known as the Ramsar List.

India became a contracting party to the Convention on 1 February 1982. Ramsar designation recognises a wetland’s international importance; it does not, by itself, mean that the site is a national park or wildlife sanctuary.