India and China now each have 82 internationally recognized waterlogged ecosystems, joining the ranks of countries with significant Ramsar sites. The UK leads with 175 sites, followed by Mexico with 144. On World Environment Day, June 5, Bihar's Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries in Jamui district were declared Wetlands of International Importance.
The Secretary of Bihar's Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DEFCC), Bandana Preyashi, announced on X, "These two new wetlands are man-made reservoirs located in the Jhajha forest range of Jamui. Their catchments feature dry deciduous forests surrounded by hills."
Ramsar sites are designated wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty signed on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, under UNESCO's auspices.
Nakti Bird Sanctuary
Initially developed for irrigation through the construction of Nakti Dam, this sanctuary has become a habitat for over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, reptiles, and amphibians. This includes the endangered Indian elephant and the vulnerable native catfish Wallago attu. Established as a Bird Sanctuary in 1984, Nakti is crucial for migratory species, hosting over 20,000 birds in winter, including one of the largest gatherings of red-crested pochards on the Indo-Gangetic plain.
Nagi Bird Sanctuary
Formed after the damming of the Nagi River, this sanctuary features water bodies with clear water and aquatic vegetation. Recognized locally as a Bird Sanctuary in 1984 and internationally as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, it supports over 75 bird species, 33 fish species, and 12 aquatic plant species. The site is notably home to one of the largest congregations of bar-headed geese on the Indo-Gangetic plain.
The recognition of these sites as Ramsar wetlands highlights their ecological importance and supports ongoing bird conservation efforts in Bihar.
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