Source: TOI
Context:
The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, also known as Surha Tal, located in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as India’s 100th Ramsar Site on World Environment Day (5 June 2026). It is Uttar Pradesh’s 13th Ramsar Site. Surha Tal is a freshwater wetland in the middle stretch of the Ganga River basin, recognised for its ecological importance and role as a bird habitat.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Detail |
|---|---|
| New Ramsar Site | Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) |
| Location | Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh |
| Type of wetland | Freshwater wetland in the middle stretch of the Ganga River basin |
| India’s Ramsar Site count | 100 (Surha Tal is the 100th) |
| Uttar Pradesh’s Ramsar Site count | 13 (Surha Tal is UP’s 13th) |
| Date of designation | 5 June 2026, World Environment Day |
| Underlying treaty | Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1971 |
About Surha Tal (Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary):
- A freshwater wetland in Ballia district, eastern Uttar Pradesh.
- Lies in the middle stretch of the Ganga River basin.
- Named after Jai Prakash Narayan (JP), the iconic Indian freedom fighter and social reformer.
- Known for being a bird habitat, especially for migratory and resident wetland birds.
- A state-protected wildlife sanctuary even before the Ramsar designation.
About the Ramsar Convention:
- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty signed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran, and entered into force in 1975.
- It is the first modern global environmental treaty.
- It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
- India became a party to the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982.
- The Convention covers all wetland types, including lakes, rivers, marshes, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, tidal flats, near-shore marine areas, mangroves, coral reefs, and human-made wetlands like reservoirs and rice paddies.
About India’s Ramsar Sites:
- India now has 100 Ramsar Sites with the designation of Surha Tal.
- The first Ramsar Sites in India were designated in 1981: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan).
- The State with the most Ramsar Sites in India is Tamil Nadu, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Punjab.
- India also has a few of the world’s most important wetland ecosystems, including Sundarbans, Kolleru Lake, Wular Lake, Loktak Lake, Sambhar Lake, and Chilika Lake.
About World Environment Day:
- Observed annually on 5 June since 1973, as established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 following the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.
- The 2026 theme focuses on ecological restoration and biodiversity (specifics may vary by host country).
- Coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
Key Terms (Simple):
- Wetland: An area where water covers the land or is present at or near the surface for most of the year. Wetlands include marshes, swamps, lakes, rivers, mangroves, and coastal areas.
- Ramsar Site: A wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention as being of international importance for biodiversity, water security, climate, or human livelihoods.
- Migratory Birds: Birds that travel long distances seasonally between their breeding and wintering grounds, often using wetlands as stopover sites.
- Bird Sanctuary: A protected area under Indian wildlife law, primarily aimed at protecting bird habitats and species.
- Ganga River Basin: The catchment area of the Ganga River, covering large parts of northern India and Bangladesh, and supporting rich biodiversity along its upper, middle, and lower stretches.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the recent Ramsar designation, consider the following statements:
- Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) has been designated as India’s 100th Ramsar Site.
- Surha Tal is located in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh.
- It is Uttar Pradesh’s 13th Ramsar Site.
- The designation was announced on World Environment Day (5 June 2026).
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. With reference to the Ramsar Convention, consider the following statements:
- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty signed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran.
- The Convention entered into force in 1975.
- India became a party to the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982.
- The Ramsar Convention is administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; the Ramsar Convention is an independent intergovernmental treaty and is NOT administered by the WTO.)
Q3. Consider the following statements about wetlands and Ramsar Sites:
- Ramsar Sites can include lakes, rivers, marshes, mangroves, and even human-made wetlands like reservoirs and rice paddies.
- Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan were among India’s first Ramsar Sites, designated in 1981.
- Wetlands are important for biodiversity, water security, flood control, and climate regulation.
- Wetlands have no significance for migratory birds and are excluded from major bird conservation strategies.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; wetlands are extremely important for migratory birds and are key parts of major bird conservation strategies globally.)
Q4. With reference to World Environment Day, consider the following statements:
- World Environment Day is observed annually on 5 June.
- It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, following the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.
- The day has been observed globally since 1973.
- World Environment Day is coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Answer Key
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the Ramsar Convention is not administered by the WTO.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because wetlands are highly significant for migratory birds.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
