Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch district of Gujarat have been added to India’s Ramsar network. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav made the announcement in this regard. The Minister informed that the two wetlands provide habitat to hundreds of migratory and resident bird species. The areas are also home to wildlife such as chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats and desert foxes, besides endangered birds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed happiness over the inclusion of two new wetlands in the list of Ramsar sites. In a social media post, Mr Modi congratulated local citizens of these districts. 

India is one of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India became a signatory to the convention on 1st February 1982. These sites are significant, as they can serve as model examples of the nation’s commitment to conservation and management under internationally accepted frameworks.