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India's Wetlands Surge: 96 Sites Now Ramsar Recognized!
30 Jan
Summary
- India's Ramsar sites grew to 96 from 26 in 2014, highest in Asia.
- Mission Sahbhagita empowers community efforts for wetland conservation.
- Traditional knowledge integration is key to India's wetland strategy.
World Wetlands Day celebrates the Ramsar Convention, with this year's theme, 'Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage,' resonating deeply with India's approach. India has significantly bolstered its wetlands conservation efforts over the last decade.
The country's Ramsar network has expanded dramatically, reaching 96 sites from 26 in 2014, marking an increase of approximately 269%. This makes India's network the largest in Asia and third-largest worldwide, covering 10% of the nation's known wetland extent.
Conservation strategies now emphasize integrating traditional knowledge and community involvement. Initiatives like Mission Sahbhagita, launched in May 2022, aim to foster community-driven conservation. The 'Save Wetlands Campaign' is part of this broader effort to engage citizens as stewards.
