Expert interview Dr. T.V. Ramachandra, Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc, Bangalore 560012
By Malini Shankar
DDF: Your critical
perspective on the notification of two Wetlands as Ramsar Wetlands Sites.
(Please explain the location, and other statistical detail of these wetlands…
how many migratory birds come to these two sites, their natural history
behaviour, and reproductory perspective, criticality of conservation status.
Patna Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand
in Gujarat were designated as RAMSAR wetlands of international significance on
January 2026 based on the ecological, biodiversity and social significance, bringing the total to 98 Ramsar sites in the country.
Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah, Uttar Pradesh):
Country: India, RAMSAR Site number: 2589, Area: 108.9 ha, Designation date:
04-12-2025, Coordinates:
27°31'29"N 78°18'42"E
(Source: Patna
Bird Sanctuary | Ramsar Sites Information Service - https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2589?__goaway_challenge=meta-refresh&__goaway_id=4cc6ea10e4fd533ea2ee678040031666&__goaway_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2F)
Patna Bird
Sanctuary consists of freshwater marshes, woodlands, and grasslands and is
predominantly surrounded by an agricultural landscape, with a wide range of
diverse habitats that sustain a high level of biodiversity, reflected in the
178 bird, 252 plant species and water-bird populations. The Site also provides
habitat for larger species, such as the regionally characteristic and
vulnerable broad-snouted crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). This wetland
is crucial for sustaining agrarian economy due to the significant hydrological
and pollination services apart from carbon sequestration. The area is an
important destination for religious tourism and nature-based recreation.
Conservation measures being implemented include regular removal of invasive
plants, regulation and monitoring of tourism activities, and ongoing monitoring
of migratory birds and avian influenza.
It is unfortunate that the
government has permitted monoculture plantations inside protected forests which
would affect biodiversity, hydrology and carbon sequestration. Our studies
across Western Ghats and other parts of India reveal that waterbodies are
perennial (with 12 months of water) when catchment is dominated by native
diverse forests, compared to monoculture plantations (6-8 months water
availability). Also, carbon sequestration is in the range 8-12 tons per hectare
in native species diverse forests and 5-6 tons per hectare in monoculture
plantations. Considering changes in the climate it is necessary to have climate
resilient systems with higher potential to decarbonise. However, lopsided
policies neither benefits the society nor the country
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