PM Modi expresses happiness over increased number of Ramsar Sites in India

New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his happiness over the increase in the number of Ramsar Sites in the country and complimented the people of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh on the addition of the three sites from these two states under the Ramsar Convention.
India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 85 from the existing 82 by designating three more wetlands as Ramsar Sites. The three new sites included are Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.
Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the criteria of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for containing representative, rare or unique wetland types or for their importance in conserving biological diversity.
"Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has expressed his happiness over the increase in number of Ramsar Sites in India. He has further complimented the people of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh on the addition of the three sites from these two states under the Ramsar Convention," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a release.

Indeed a joyous occasion for India that our Ramsar sites number rises, indicating the priority we accord to sustainable development as well as living in harmony with nature. Special compliments to the people of MP and Tamil Nadu.

We will continue to be at the forefront of such… https://t.co/O9K85DxzBZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 14, 2024

Responding to a post by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Prime Minister said; "Indeed a joyous occasion for India that our Ramsar sites number rises, indicating the priority we accord to sustainable development as well as living in harmony with nature. Special compliments to the people of MP and Tamil Nadu. We will continue to be at the forefront of such efforts in the times to come."
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said on the eve of Independence Day 2024 that India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 85 from the existing 82 by designating three more wetlands as Ramsar Sites, as per a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change press release.
In a post on X, Yadav expressed happiness on the addition of three Ramsar sites on the eve of Independence Day.

Triple joy!

As the Nation gears up to celebrate its Independence Day, thrilled to share that we have added three Ramsar sites to our network. This takes our tally to 85 Ramsar sites, covering an area of 1358068 ha in India.

The achievement reflects the emphasis PM Shri… pic.twitter.com/GiSK6uREhV

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 14, 2024

Yadav said that the achievement reflects the emphasis PM Modi has laid on establishing harmony with nature, calling our wetlands Amrit Dharohars, and working relentlessly for their conservation.
"The three new sites included are Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh. These new designated sites are a testament to the significant policy push from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for wetlands conservation and management in the country," as per the Ministry of Environment release.
India is one of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India became a signatory to the convention on 1st February 1982. From 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during 2014 to 2024, the country has added 59 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites.
Currently, Tamil Nadu harbours a maximum number of Ramsar Sites (18 sites) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites). (ANI)