Overview
- The designation announced Wednesday by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav raised India’s Ramsar count to 99 and Uttar Pradesh’s to 12.
- The wetland hosts 249 recorded bird species, including 62 that rely on it year-round, and it is a key stop on the Central Asian Flyway for bar-headed geese and painted storks.
- Officials say Ramsar status will bolster biodiversity protection, support local jobs through bird tourism, and improve water and climate security.
- Independent studies and the Central Pollution Control Board warn of threats that include illegal construction, habitat loss, hydrological disruption, and discharge of untreated industrial effluents containing toxic contaminants.
- The site is managed by the Uttar Pradesh forest department with active help from Shekha village residents who have worked to curb poaching and protect the lake.