India’s list of wetlands of international importance has now grown to 103. Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake and Uttar Pradesh’s Sauj Jheel are the newest additions. Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh shared the news on 16 October 2026. Notably, the Sukhna Lake Ramsar site lies at the foot of the Shivalik hills. According to Singh, protecting these ecosystems “safeguards the country’s natural heritage”. He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to wetland conservation.
About Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
Sukhna is an artificial lake that dates back to 1958. Today, it acts as a peri-urban reservoir that regulates sediment and water flows. Moreover, its habitats range from open water to scrub and forest. In fact, resident waterbirds and Central Asian Flyway migrants depend on it. Its notable species include the vulnerable common pochard and the endangered Pallas’s fish eagle. Also, the endangered black pond turtle lives here.
About Sauj Jheel, Uttar Pradesh
Sauj Jheel is a shallow lake among farmland in the Ganga floodplain. Interestingly, it lies close to Saman Bird Sanctuary, itself a Ramsar site. Furthermore, it regularly supports more than 30,000 waterbirds. Hence, BirdLife International lists it as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Its key birds include the vulnerable sarus crane and the greater spotted eagle.
Threats and Conservation Plans
For Sauj Jheel, the plan proposes a seasonal fishing ban and limits on fine-mesh nets. It also seeks control over cattle access to the wetland. Meanwhile, Sukhna faces urbanisation, pollution and fluctuating water levels. So, Ramsar status should push better planning for both wetlands.
What Is a Ramsar Site?
A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Countries signed this treaty in 1971 at Ramsar, a city in Iran. Later, India ratified it on 1 February 1982. Today, over 2,500 sites worldwide cover more than 2.5 million sq km.
Sukhna Lake Ramsar Site: Key Facts for Revision
- India’s tally: Now 103 Ramsar sites
- New sites: Sukhna Lake (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh)
- Announced by: MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh, 16 October 2026
- Sukhna: Artificial lake of 1958 at the Shivalik foothills
- Sauj Jheel: Ganga floodplain lake near Saman Bird Sanctuary
- Convention: Signed in 1971; India joined in 1982
Why the Sukhna Lake Ramsar Site Matters for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, UPSC often asks about new Ramsar sites and their states. So, remember the tally of 103, the two new wetlands and their key species. Also, link Sauj Jheel with the Saman Bird Sanctuary of Uttar Pradesh. For official updates, also visit Ramsar Convention. Next, for a related story, read about Glaw Lake, India’s 101st Ramsar site.
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