Context:
India has added Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Jalashay in Chhattisgarh to the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List), taking the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 96.
About Siliserh Lake, Rajasthan
- Type: Artificial lake / wetland (Ramsar Site No. 2581)
- Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan, ~8 miles southwest of Alwar city
- Historical Significance: Built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh on a tributary of the Ruparel River to supply drinking water to Alwar. Old aqueducts still exist.
- Ecological Importance:
- Area: ~7 km², surrounded by dense woodland and cenotaphs on its embankment
- Supports 149 bird species and 17 mammal species, including:
- Vulnerable river tern (Sterna aurantia)
- Endangered tiger (Panthera tigris)
- Black stork (Ciconia nigra) – 1% of its biogeographic population
- Lies within the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve, enhancing biodiversity and eco-tourism potential
- Uses: Drinking water, recreation, eco-tourism, birdwatching
- Threats: Intensive agriculture, urban expansion; restoration plan underway
About Kopra Jalashay, Chhattisgarh
- Type: Reservoir-type wetland (Ramsar Site No. 2583)
- Location: Upper catchments of River Mahanadi, near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
- Historical Significance: Constructed for irrigation; now recognised for hydrological and ecological importance
- Ecological Importance:
- Large open water area with shallow, nutrient-rich backwaters
- Strong hydrological connectivity creating a mosaic of habitats
- Supports 60+ migratory bird species, including:
- Vulnerable greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga)
- Endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
- Uses: Birdwatching, local community livelihood, eco-tourism
- Threats: Siltation, invasive species, intensive agriculture; conservation measures proposed
