Wetlands and Ramsar Sites
What is a wetland?
A wetland is an area where water covers the soil for part or all of the year. The Ramsar Convention (1971) is the international treaty for wetlands. India joined in 1982.
Ramsar sites in J&K and Ladakh
| Site | Region | Year (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wular Lake | Bandipora | 1990 | First in J&K. Largest freshwater lake in India. |
| Hokersar | Srinagar | 2005 | Queen of Kashmir wetlands. |
| Surinsar-Mansar | Jammu, Samba, Udhampur | 2005 | Twin lakes. |
| Shallabugh | Ganderbal | 2022 | |
| Hygam | Baramulla | 2022 | |
| Tso Moriri | Leh (Ladakh) | 2002 | High-altitude lake. |
| Tso Kar Basin | Leh (Ladakh) | 2020 |
Why wetlands matter
- They store floodwater, recharge groundwater and shelter migratory birds from Siberia, Central Asia and China in winter.
- Wetlands of the Kashmir Valley (Hokersar, Hygam, Shallabugh, Wular) form the Central Asian Flyway.
- Threats: encroachment, silt, sewage and weed growth (Dal Lake is the classic case).
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.