Ramsar Wetland Sites — Set 5

Correct Answer: D. Tamil Nadu

Karikili Bird Sanctuary is located in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2022. It is a shallow reservoir that attracts waterbirds including painted storks, open-billed storks, and cormorants. The sanctuary is important for breeding birds and supports large nesting colonies. It is one of the 16 Ramsar sites in Tamil Nadu.

Correct Answer: C. Chennai

Pallikaranai Marshland is located near Chennai in Tamil Nadu and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2022. It is one of the few surviving natural wetlands in Chennai and serves as a critical habitat for resident and migratory birds. The marshland has been significantly reduced in size due to urban development and encroachment. It plays an important role in groundwater recharge and flood mitigation for Chennai.

Correct Answer: D. Tamil Nadu

Pichavaram Mangrove is located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2022. It is one of the largest mangrove forests in India, second only to the Sundarbans. Pichavaram is known for its dense mangrove canopy connected by a network of waterways. It played a significant role in protecting the coast from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Correct Answer: A. 1798

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu has been protected since 1798, making it one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in Asia. Local farmers have traditionally protected the birds because they believed the birds' droppings fertilized their fields. The sanctuary was formally established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1936. It was designated as a Ramsar site in 2022.

Correct Answer: C. Kanyakumari

Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex is located in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2022. It is a complex of small water bodies and tanks near the southernmost tip of India. The wetland supports both resident and migratory waterbirds. It is an important habitat for the Lesser Whistling Duck and other waterfowl.

Correct Answer: B. Common Crane (Grus grus)

Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab is particularly important as a staging ground for the Common Crane (Grus grus) during its autumn migration. Thousands of common cranes stop at this wetland to rest and feed before continuing their journey south. The reserve was designated as a Ramsar site in 2019 and is jointly managed by local communities and the Punjab Forest Department.

Correct Answer: D. 2020

Asan Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2020, becoming the first Ramsar site in the state. It is located at the confluence of the Asan River with the Yamuna River near the Asan Barrage in Dehradun district. The wetland is an important staging ground for migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway. Bar-headed geese and Ruddy Shelducks visit in large numbers.

Correct Answer: C. Uttar Pradesh

Sur Sarovar (also known as Keetham Lake) is located near Agra in Uttar Pradesh and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2020. The lake was created by damming the Agra Canal, which draws water from the Yamuna River. It is an important habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds. The site is close to the Taj Mahal, making it an important wildlife and tourism asset.

Correct Answer: B. Black-necked Crane

Tso Kar Wetland Complex in Ladakh is an important breeding ground for the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis). It was designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2020. Tso Kar is a high-altitude saline lake complex at around 4,500 meters above sea level in the Changthang region. The complex includes the saline Tso Kar lake and the freshwater Startsapuk Tso. It is also an important habitat for bar-headed geese.

Correct Answer: C. 1982

India acceded to the Ramsar Convention in 1982, becoming the 50th contracting party to the convention. The first Indian Ramsar sites (Chilika Lake and Keoladeo Ghana) were designated in 1981, before India formally became a contracting party. As of 2023, India has 75 Ramsar sites covering over 13 lakh hectares. India has been one of the most active countries in expanding its Ramsar site network.