Environment and Ecology — Wetlands in News (Part II)
1. Manipur (Continued)
Loktak Lake (1990)
- Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
- Known for its floating circular swamps called Phumdis.
- Houses the only floating national park in the world — Keibul Lamjao National Park.
- The park is the last refuge of the endangered brown-antlered deer or Sangai, Manipur's state animal.
Key Point: Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India and houses the only floating national park in the world — Keibul Lamjao National Park.
2. Mizoram
Pala Wetland (2021)
- Largest natural wetland in the state of Mizoram.
3. Odisha
Ansupa Lake (2022)
- A small freshwater oxbow lake formed by the Mahanadi river.
Bhitarkanika Mangroves (2002)
- Gahirmatha beach hosts the largest known Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting beach in the world, with half a million nesting annually.
- Has the highest density of saltwater crocodile in the country, with nearly 700 Crocodylus porosus.
- A major breeding and wintering place for many resident and migratory waterbirds.
Chilika Lake (1981)
- Added to the Montreux Record on 16 June 1993.
- Removed from the Record on 11 November 2002.
- A brackish lake.
Hirakud Reservoir (2022)
- One of the largest man-made reservoirs in India.
- Built across the Mahanadi River by a combination of earth and modern dams of a total length of almost 26 kilometres.
Satkosia Gorge (2021)
- Established in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary.
- Located in Angul district of Odisha.
- A mosaic of rivers, marshes and evergreen forests at the meeting point of two biogeographic regions — the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats.
Tampara Lake (2022)
- The use of explosives during a battle in the Ganjam district between the British East India Company and French colonists in 1766 created a large depression which later became Tampara Lake.
- Now connected to the Rushikulya River and helps in flood control during the monsoon season.
Key Points:
- Chilika Lake was added to the Montreux Record in 1993 and removed in 2002.
- Bhitarkanika has the highest density of saltwater crocodiles and hosts the largest Olive Ridley nesting beach.
- Tampara Lake was formed by a battle in 1766.
4. Punjab
Beas Conservation Reserve (2019)
- Hosts the only known population in India of the endangered Indus river dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor).
Harike Lake (1990)
- Formed by constructing the headworks across the Sutlej river in 1953.
- Located downstream of the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers.
Kanjli Lake (2002)
- A permanent stream, the Kali Bein, was converted by the construction of a small barrage in 1870 into a water storage area for irrigation.
- Associated with the first guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve (2019)
- An example of wise use of a community-managed wetland.
Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary (2019)
- Located in the Shiwalik foothills of Punjab.
- Highly eco-sensitive.
Ropar Lake (2002)
- Occupies a human-made reservoir constructed as part of the Bhakra-Nangal Project in 1961.
- Of historic importance — the Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers formalized the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" there in 1954.
- A human-made wetland of lake and river formed by the 1952 construction of a barrage for diversion of water from the Sutlej River.
Key Point: Ropar Lake is historically significant as the site where the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" (Panchsheel) were formalized in 1954.
5. Rajasthan
Keoladeo Ghana National Park (1981)
- Placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 due to water shortage and unbalanced grazing.
Sambhar Lake (1990)
- India's largest inland saltwater lake.
- Important for a variety of wintering waterbirds, including large numbers of flamingos.
Key Point: Sambhar Lake is India's largest inland saltwater lake.
6. Tamil Nadu
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary (2022)
- Locally known as "Chitrangudi Kannoli".
- Located in Ramanathapuram district, adjacent to Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary.
- Protected area since 1989; classed as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (2022)
- First Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia.
- Globally threatened species: dugong (Dugong dugon), whale shark (Rhincodon typus), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis).
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary (2022)
- A notable nesting site for several migratory heron species.
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (2024)
- An irrigation tank that receives water from the Mettur dam.
Karikili Bird Sanctuary (2022)
- Declared a bird sanctuary in 1972.
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary (2021)
- Largest reserve for breeding resident and migratory waterbirds in South India.
- An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) on the Central Asian Flyway.
- Declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1994.
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (2024)
- Located near the town of Kothagiri, adjacent to the eastern slopes of the Nilgiri mountain range.
- Features intermittent freshwater marshes and streams nested within a "shola" (tropical montane forest of southern India found in patches separated by grasslands).
Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest (2022)
- Freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland situated about 20 kilometres south of Chennai.
- Serves as an aquatic buffer of the flood-prone Chennai and Chengalpattu districts.
Pichavaram Mangrove (2022)
- Located between the prominent estuaries of the Vellar and Coleroon Rivers.
- Supports threatened species: critically endangered great white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) and spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea), endangered spotted greenshank (Tringa guttifer), and vulnerable olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (2002)
- A coastal area consisting of shallow waters, shores, long sand bars, intertidal flats and intertidal forests (chiefly mangrove), seasonal often-saline lagoons, and human-made salt exploitation sites.
Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex (2022)
- Lies at the point of the Kodaiyar river drainage system.
- Comprises two man-made reservoirs — Theroor and Suchindram.
- Supports livelihoods of about 75% of the population of the wetland's communities.
Udayamarthan Dapuram Bird Sanctuary (2022)
- Consists of human-made irrigation tanks, interconnected by an ancient network of canals and fed by the Mettur dam through the Koraiyar canal.
Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary (2022)
- Composed of small man-made reservoirs interconnected by an ancient network of canals and fed by the Mettur reservoir.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (2022)
- A small irrigation tank surrounded by rocky plains and low-ridged, denuded hillocks.
- An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
- Has been a Bird Sanctuary since 1998.
Vellode Bird Sanctuary (2022)
- A human-made tank providing abundant food resources from neighbouring agricultural fields.
- Important staging and breeding ground for migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway.
Vembannur Wetland Complex (2022)
- A human-made irrigation tank situated near the southernmost point of mainland India.
- Forms part of an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
Key Point: Gulf of Mannar is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia.
7. Tripura
Rudrasagar Lake (2005)
- A lowland sedimentation reservoir in the northeast hills.
- Fed by three perennial streams discharging to the River Gomti.
- Vijaya Dashami festival attracts at least 50,000 tourists and devotees every year.
8. Uttar Pradesh
Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary (2021)
- Freshwater marsh in Sant Kabir Nagar district.
- Largest natural floodplain wetland of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
- Established in 1980; protected under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
- An "eco-sensitive zone" extends up to a kilometre around its boundary.
Haiderpur Wetland (2021)
- Human-made wetland formed in 1984 by the construction of the Madhya Ganga Barrage on a floodplain of the River Ganga.
- Located within the boundaries of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (2019)
- A shallow marshland 45 kilometres from Lucknow.
- Monsoon rains feed this wetland while the Sarda Canal supplies additional water.
Parvati Agra Bird Sanctuary (2019)
- A permanent freshwater environment consisting of two oxbow lakes.
- Refuge for threatened species: critically endangered white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Indian vulture (Gyps indicus), and endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus).
Saman Bird Sanctuary (2019)
- Located in Mainpuri district; a seasonal oxbow lake on the Ganges floodplain.
- Heavily reliant on the south-westerly monsoon in July and August.
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary (2019)
- A perennial lowland marsh typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
- Harbours threatened species: endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and Pallas's fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus).
Sandi Bird Sanctuary (2019)
- A freshwater marsh in the Hardoi district.
- Typical of the Indo-Gangetic plains; receives most of its water from monsoon rains.
Sarsai Nawar Jheel (2019)
- Wetland of the Indo-Gangetic floodplain fed by precipitation run-off from the South West monsoon.
- Name derived from the vulnerable sarus crane.
- Species: critically endangered white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and endangered woolly-necked stork (Ciconia episcopus).
- Site of spiritual and religious significance with the nearby Hajari Mahadev temple.
Sur Sarovar (2020)
- Also known as Keetham Lake.
- A human-made reservoir originally created to supply water to the city of Agra in summer.
Upper Ganga River (2005)
- A shallow river stretch of the great Ganges with intermittent small stretches of deep-water pools and reservoirs.
- Provides habitat for: Ganges River Dolphin (IUCN Red listed), Gharial, Crocodile, 6 species of turtles, otters, 82 species of fish and more than hundred species of birds.
Key Point: Upper Ganga River is home to the Ganges River Dolphin, Gharial, and Crocodile.
9. Uttarakhand
Asan Conservation Reserve (2020)
- A stretch of the Asan River running down to its confluence with the Yamuna River in Dehradun district.
10. West Bengal
East Calcutta Wetlands (2002)
- Located on the eastern fringe of Kolkata city.
- Forms one of the largest assemblages of sewage fed fish ponds.
Sundarbans Wetland (2019) — Largest
- Located within the largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans.
- Encompasses hundreds of islands and a maze of rivers, rivulets and creeks in the delta of the Rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra on the Bay of Bengal.
- The Sundarban Tiger Reserve is situated within the Site.
- Home to rare and globally threatened species: critically endangered northern river terrapin (Batagur baska), endangered Irawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), and vulnerable fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).
Key Point: Sundarbans Wetland is the largest Ramsar site in India and is located within the largest mangrove forest in the world.
11. Summary: Wetlands at a Glance (Part II)
| State | Wetland | Year | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manipur | Loktak Lake | 1990 | Phumdis; Keibul Lamjao NP; Sangai deer |
| Mizoram | Pala Wetland | 2021 | Largest natural wetland in Mizoram |
| Odisha | Chilika Lake | 1981 | Montreux Record (1993-2002); brackish |
| Punjab | Beas Conservation Reserve | 2019 | Indus river dolphin |
| Rajasthan | Sambhar Lake | 1990 | India's largest inland saltwater lake |
| Tamil Nadu | Gulf of Mannar | 2022 | First Marine Biosphere Reserve in South Asia |
| Tamil Nadu | Koonthankulam BS | 2021 | Largest waterbird reserve in South India |
| Tripura | Rudrasagar Lake | 2005 | Vijaya Dashami festival; River Gomti |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bakhira WS | 2021 | Largest natural floodplain wetland in eastern UP |
| Uttarakhand | Asan Conservation Reserve | 2020 | Asan River to Yamuna confluence |
| West Bengal | Sundarbans Wetland | 2019 | Largest Ramsar site; Irawaddy dolphin, fishing cat |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Loktak Lake (Manipur): Phumdis; Keibul Lamjao NP (floating); Sangai deer
- Chilika Lake (Odisha): Montreux Record (1993-2002); brackish lake
- Bhitarkanika (Odisha): Highest density of saltwater crocodiles; largest Olive Ridley nesting beach
- Beas Conservation Reserve (Punjab): Indus river dolphin (only population in India)
- Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan): India's largest inland saltwater lake
- Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu): First Marine Biosphere Reserve in South Asia; dugong, whale shark
- Koonthankulam BS (Tamil Nadu): Largest waterbird reserve in South India
- Ropar Lake (Punjab): Panchsheel (Five Principles) formalized in 1954
- Upper Ganga River (UP): Ganges River Dolphin, Gharial, Crocodile
- Sundarbans (West Bengal): Largest Ramsar site; largest mangrove forest; Irawaddy dolphin, fishing cat
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Wetlands in News — Part II)
Q1. Which lake in Manipur is known for its floating circular swamps called Phumdis?
Correct Answer: B. Loktak Lake in Manipur is known for its floating circular swamps called Phumdis. It houses the only floating national park in the world — Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Q2. Which Odisha wetland was added to the Montreux Record in 1993 and removed in 2002?
Correct Answer: B. Chilika Lake was added to the Montreux Record on 16 June 1993 and was removed from the Record on 11 November 2002. It is a brackish lake.
Q3. Which wetland has the highest density of saltwater crocodiles in India?
Correct Answer: B. Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha has the highest density of saltwater crocodile in the country, with nearly 700 Crocodylus porosus.
Q4. Which wetland hosts the only known population of Indus river dolphin in India?
Correct Answer: B. Beas Conservation Reserve in Punjab hosts the only known population in India of the endangered Indus river dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor).
Q5. Which is India's largest inland saltwater lake?
Correct Answer: C. Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is India's largest inland saltwater lake. It is important for a variety of wintering waterbirds, including large numbers of flamingos.
Q6. Which is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia?
Correct Answer: B. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia. It is home to dugong, whale shark, and green sea turtle.
Q7. Which wetland is associated with the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" (Panchsheel)?
Correct Answer: B. Ropar Lake in Punjab is of historic importance as the Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers formalized the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" there in 1954.
Q8. Tampara Lake in Odisha was formed by:
Correct Answer: B. Tampara Lake was formed when explosives during a battle between the British East India Company and French colonists in 1766 created a large depression.
Q9. Which is the largest Ramsar site in India?
Correct Answer: C. Sundarbans Wetland in West Bengal is the largest Ramsar site in India. It is located within the largest mangrove forest in the world.
Q10. Which Uttar Pradesh wetland is located within the boundaries of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary?
Correct Answer: B. Haiderpur Wetland is a human-made wetland formed in 1984 by the construction of the Madhya Ganga Barrage. It is located within the boundaries of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.