Udyo Logo

Udyo

Get the Udyo Mobile App

Sign in to save your progress and access all features.

Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary Gets Ramsar Tag: India's Tally Reaches 99

The Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, has been declared a Ramsar site, increasing India's total internationally recognized wetlands to 99. This partially human-made wetland, historically formed alongside the Upper Ganges Canal in the 1850s, serves as a crucial stopover on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds. It also shelters threatened turtle species. This global recognition elevates UP’s tally to 12 Ramsar sites and solidifies India's position as having the highest number of Ramsar wetlands in Asia, making it highly relevant for environment and geography sections in competitive exams.

What Happened

The Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary has been officially designated as a Ramsar site of international importance. This elevation brings India's total protected wetlands under the Ramsar Convention to 99, showcasing the nation's ongoing commitment to ecological conservation.

When & Where

The formal announcement was made on April 22, 2026. The sanctuary is located in the Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, bringing the state's total Ramsar count to 12.

Who Is Involved

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) spearheaded the notification. Globally, the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention evaluates and grants the tag. BirdLife International has also previously recognized the site's ecological value.

How It Works

  • Sites are nominated by member nations based on strict ecological criteria.
  • Once approved, the Ramsar Secretariat adds them to the List of Wetlands of International Importance.
  • The host country is then mandated to ensure their conservation and "wise use."

Why It Matters

Environmentally, it preserves crucial biodiversity. For exams, Ramsar sites are perennial high-yield topics. The sanctuary is a pivotal winter stopover on the Central Asian Flyway, hosting the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and three threatened turtle species.

Historical Background

This partially human-made wetland emerged in the 1850s alongside the construction of the Upper Ganges Canal. Internationally, the Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 to protect such critical habitats.

Previous Related Events

Over the past 11 years, India has drastically expanded its Ramsar footprint from just 26 sites to 99. An impressive 57 sites have been added in the last four years alone.

Static GK Connection

Wetlands act as the "kidneys of the landscape" by filtering water and providing flood control. The Central Asian Flyway is a major migratory route linking the Arctic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.

Future Impact

Reaching 99 sites pushes India closer to a century of protected wetlands. It will likely boost eco-tourism in Aligarh and mandate stricter state-level conservation policies to prevent encroachment and maintain the delicate ecosystem.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

  • Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, UP is India's 99th Ramsar site.
  • Uttar Pradesh's total count of Ramsar sites now stands at 12.
  • India has the highest number of Ramsar wetlands in Asia.
  • Globally, India ranks third behind the UK (176) and Mexico (144).
  • The wetland formed in the 1850s alongside the Upper Ganges Canal.
  • It is a crucial stopover on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.
  • Hosts winter birds like the Bar-headed Goose and Painted Stork.
  • Supports threatened black pond, Indian flap-shelled, and Ganges soft-shelled turtles.
  • Recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
  • Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in Iran in 1971.
  • India has rapidly added 57 Ramsar sites in the last four years.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

  • Definition: An intergovernmental treaty providing the framework for national action and international cooperation for wetland conservation.
  • Legal Framework: Adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran; came into force globally in 1975.
  • Core Principle: Promotes the "wise use" of wetlands, meaning maintaining their ecological character through sustainable development.
  • India-Specific Relevance: India is a contracting party (since 1982) and currently leads Asia with 99 Ramsar sites.
  • Montreux Record: A register of Ramsar sites where ecological character has changed or is likely to change (e.g., Keoladeo National Park, Loktak Lake).
  • Ecosystem Services: Wetlands provide flood control, groundwater replenishment, water purification, and climate change mitigation.
  • Global Comparison: The UK holds the highest number of sites (176), followed by Mexico (144) and India.
  • Common Exam Angle: UPSC frequently tests the state-wise location of new Ramsar sites and the specific fauna they protect.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, recently declared India's 99th Ramsar site, is located in which state?
A) Madhya Pradesh
B) Rajasthan
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Haryana

Answer: C

Explanation: Shekha Jheel is situated in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, taking the state's total Ramsar tally to 12.

Q2. What is India's global rank in terms of the total number of recognized Ramsar wetland sites?
A) First
B) Second
C) Third
D) Fourth

Answer: C

Explanation: India ranks third globally with 99 sites, trailing only the United Kingdom (176) and Mexico (144).

Q3. The Shekha Jheel wetland ecosystem was historically formed following the construction of which structure?
A) Indira Gandhi Canal
B) Upper Ganges Canal
C) Bhakra Nangal Dam
D) Tehri Dam

Answer: B

Explanation: The partially human-made wetland formed in the 1850s following the construction of the adjacent Upper Ganges Canal.

Q4. Which international organization designates specific wetlands as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs)?
A) UNEP
B) WWF
C) BirdLife International
D) IUCN

Answer: C

Explanation: BirdLife International designated Shekha Jheel as an IBA due to its critical role in global bird conservation.

Q5. Which of the following threatened turtle species is NOT explicitly mentioned as supported by the Shekha Jheel Sanctuary?
A) Black pond turtle
B) Indian flap-shelled turtle
C) Ganges soft-shelled turtle
D) Olive Ridley turtle

Answer: D

Explanation: The sanctuary supports the black pond, Indian flap-shelled, and Ganges soft-shelled turtles, not the marine Olive Ridley turtle.

Q6. How many member countries are currently part of the 1971 Ramsar Convention?
A) 150
B) 172
C) 193
D) 195

Answer: B

Explanation: The Ramsar Convention provides a conservation framework across its 172 member countries, including India.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

Consider the following statements regarding the Ramsar Convention:

1. India has the highest number of Ramsar sites in the world.
2. The Montreux Record is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: Only 2 is correct. India has the third-highest number of Ramsar sites globally, not the highest. The Montreux Record highlights sites facing immediate ecological threats.

PYQ 2:

Assertion (A): Shekha Jheel is considered a highly significant winter habitat for avian species.

Reason (R): It acts as a crucial stopover on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. The sanctuary provides vital resources for migratory birds travelling the Central Asian Flyway.

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question: "The rapid increase in India's Ramsar sites reflects a robust commitment to wetland conservation." Analyze the ecological significance of wetlands like Shekha Jheel and the challenges in maintaining their pristine character. (250 words)

  • Introduction point: Define wetlands briefly and mention India's recent milestone of reaching 99 Ramsar sites with the addition of Shekha Jheel.
  • Political/Policy: Highlights government focus on eco-diplomacy and meeting international conservation targets (Sustainable Development Goals).
  • Economic: Wetlands support local livelihoods through fisheries, water supply, and eco-tourism potential.
  • Social: Human-made wetlands like Shekha Jheel show harmonious coexistence between historical infrastructure (canals) and local biodiversity.
  • Environmental: Crucial for flood control, groundwater recharge, and serving as flyway stopovers for migratory birds and threatened turtle species.
  • International: India leads Asia and ranks third globally, enhancing its leadership in Central Asian Flyway conservation initiatives.
  • Conclusion point: Conclude with the need to move beyond mere tagging to ensuring strict local enforcement against encroachments and pollution to truly realize "wise use."
  • Suggested diagrams: A flowchart showing ecosystem services of wetlands, or a rough map depicting the Central Asian Flyway.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

  • Trap 1: Students often confuse the global ranking of India in Ramsar sites. The correct fact is that India ranks third globally (after the UK and Mexico), but first in Asia.
  • Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that all Ramsar sites are purely natural lakes. The reality is that many, like Shekha Jheel, are partially human-made, formed historically alongside infrastructure like canals.

🧭 Exam Tip

UPSC Prelims heavily targets the exact location of newly added Ramsar sites and their unique fauna (e.g., specific turtle species or migratory birds). For Mains, focus on the "wise use" concept and the dual role of wetlands in climate change mitigation and hosting biodiversity.