India adds 2 new wetlands to Ramsar sites list, taking tally to 98

NEW DELHI, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- India has added two more wetlands to the Ramsar sites list, taking the number of such sites in the country to 98, officials said Saturday.

The announcement of adding two more sites -- one from Uttar Pradesh and another from Gujarat -- to the list was made by the federal minister of environment, forest and climate change, Bhupender Yadav.

"With World Wetlands Day close by, I am delighted to announce that there are two new additions to India's Ramsar growing network. Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch, Gujarat are the new entrants to the coveted Ramsar sites list," said Yadav in a statement posted on social media. "This international recognition reflects India's strong commitment to protect our environment and conserve our rich wetlands."

According to Yadav, hundreds of migratory and resident avian species find their home in the two wetlands.

World Wetlands Day is observed every year on Feb. 2 to raise global awareness of wetlands' significant role not only for people but for the planet.

The minister said India's Ramsar network has expanded by over 276 percent, from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites at present.

India is one of the contracting parties to the wetland convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India became a signatory to the convention in 1982. ■