The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Taal) in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh has been designated as India’s 100th Ramsar Site, marking a major milestone in the country’s wetland conservation efforts under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
This freshwater wetland is now the world’s 2,595th Ramsar site, reinforcing India’s leadership in wetland conservation.
Key Highlights
- 100th Ramsar Site of India: Surha Taal added to the list of Wetlands of International Importance
- Global & Regional Ranking:
- India has the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia
- 3rd globally, after: United Kingdom (176 sites) and Mexico (144 sites)
- Type of Wetland:
- A natural perennial oxbow lake
- Formed when a river cuts off a meander, creating a U-shaped stillwater body
- Location:
- Situated in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh
- Lies in the middle stretch of the Ganga River basin
About Surha Taal (Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary)
Formation & Ecology
- Declared a bird sanctuary in 1991 by the Uttar Pradesh government
- Formed due to the meandering course of the Ganga River
- Receives freshwater inflow from three channels
- Expands into floodplains and marshes during monsoon
Biodiversity
Floral & Faunal Diversity
- 221 plant species
- 66 fish species
- 7 reptile species
- 3 amphibian species
Aquatic & Mammalian Species
- Notable fish: Vulnerable Wallago attu and Bagarius bagarius
- Supports vulnerable fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) as feeding ground
Avifauna (Bird Diversity)
- Located along the Central Asian Flyway
- Serves as a critical stopover and wintering site for migratory birds from: Siberia and Central Asia
Important Species
- Vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina)
- Indian river tern (Sterna aurantia)
- Sarus crane
- Bar-headed goose
Cultural Significance
- Associated with local historical, religious, and traditional beliefs
- Acts as an important socio-ecological landscape in eastern Uttar Pradesh
About Ramsar Convention
- Adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran
- World Wetlands Day: Observed on 2 February
- India became a signatory on 1 February 1982
First Ramsar Sites in India
- Chilika Lake (Odisha)
- Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)
Largest Ramsar Site in India
- Sundarbans
Significance
- Strengthens India’s wetland conservation framework
- Enhances protection of biodiversity hotspots and migratory bird habitats
- Supports ecosystem services like flood control, groundwater recharge, and livelihoods
- Reinforces India’s commitment to global environmental agreements