Gokul Reservoir and Udaipur Lake in Bihar have been designated as new Ramsar Sites.
- With these additions, India now has 93 Ramsar sites. They cover total area of 1,360,719 hectares.
- Bihar already had three Ramsar sites – Kabar Jheel (Kabar Taal) in Begusarai and Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries in Jamui district.
About New Wetlands
- Both Wetlands are oxbow lake.
- An oxbow is a crescent-shaped lake lying alongside a winding river.
- Gokul Reservoir (Buxar district) is located on the southern edge of the Ganga River.
- Udaipur Lake in West Champaran district is surrounded by the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary.
- It is an important wintering ground for many migratory bird species, including pochard (Aythya ferina).
About Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands)
- Adopted in 1971.
- An intergovernmental treaty under UNESCO.
- Objective: Provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
- Criteria: A wetland must meet at least 1 of 9 criteria such as regularly supporting 20,000 or more water birds, or conserving biological diversity etc.
- India ratified the Convention in 1982.
