A Ramsar Site is a wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. Such wetlands are vital for biodiversity conservation, water regulation, flood moderation, groundwater recharge and livelihood support.
Uttar Pradesh currently has 13 Ramsar Sites. These include riverine wetlands, bird sanctuaries, marshes, lakes and floodplain ecosystems. They are especially important for migratory birds, aquatic biodiversity and ecological balance.
migratory birds
nesting grounds
waterbirds
fish
turtles
aquatic plants
flood control
recharge
water storage
biodiversity
eco-tourism
awareness
Upper Ganga River, Brijghat to Narora: The first Ramsar site of Uttar Pradesh; important for Ganga dolphin, turtles, fish and riverine biodiversity.
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Unnao: A shallow wetland supporting resident and migratory birds.
Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Gonda: A twin-lake wetland important for waterbirds and aquatic biodiversity.
Saman Bird Sanctuary, Mainpuri: A seasonal oxbow wetland known for large congregations of waterbirds.
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Raebareli: A perennial wetland supporting migratory birds and marsh vegetation.
Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Hardoi: A freshwater marsh important for winter migratory birds and aquatic flora-fauna.
Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Etawah: A natural wetland known for Sarus Crane and other waterbirds.
Sur Sarovar / Keetham Lake, Agra: A freshwater lake and important bird habitat near Agra.
Haiderpur Wetland, Bijnor / Muzaffarnagar: A Ganga basin wetland rich in birds, fish and wetland vegetation.
Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Sant Kabir Nagar: A major floodplain wetland of eastern Uttar Pradesh, important for migratory birds.
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Aligarh: A recently recognised wetland important for migratory birds and local biodiversity.
Patna Bird Sanctuary, Etah: A small but rich wetland supporting waterbirds, migratory birds and aquatic vegetation.
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary / Surha Tal, Ballia: A large oxbow lake and floodplain wetland important for birds, fisheries and local ecology.
Bird diversity: Most sites serve as feeding, breeding or wintering grounds for migratory and resident birds.
Wetland variety: They include river stretches, lakes, marshes, oxbow wetlands and floodplain ecosystems.
Biodiversity value: They support fish, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic plants and threatened species.
Hydrological importance: These wetlands help in water storage, flood moderation and groundwater recharge.
Livelihood support: They sustain fisheries, eco-tourism, agriculture and local communities.
Thus, the 13 Ramsar sites of Uttar Pradesh are vital ecological assets. Their conservation is essential for biodiversity protection, bird migration, water security, livelihood support and sustainable development.