GLAW LAKE: 101ST RAMSAR SITE IN INDIA
Why in News?
- Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh has been designated as India’s 101st Ramsar Site and the State’s first Wetland of International Importance.
- With this addition, India’s Ramsar network has expanded from 26 sites in 2014 to 101 sites in 2026.
KEY FACTS
Location
- A pristine freshwater lake located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalayas.
Physical Features
- The lake is fed by perennial mountain streams.
- It is surrounded by dense natural vegetation.
Biodiversity
- The wetland and its catchment area support rich biodiversity, including:
- More than 150 tree species
- 49 orchid species
- It is recognised as an important biodiversity hotspot.
SIGNIFICANCE
- Ramsar designation will promote:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Climate resilience
- Water conservation
- Sustainable livelihoods of communities dependent on the wetland ecosystem.
RAMSAR CONVENTION
About
- The Ramsar Convention, officially known as the Convention on Wetlands, is an intergovernmental treaty adopted at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
- It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
- UNESCO serves as the depositary of the Convention.
INDIA & RAMSAR CONVENTION
- The Convention entered into force for India on 1 February 1982.
- Under the Convention, eligible wetlands can be designated for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List).
MONTREAUX RECORD
- The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar Sites where:
- Ecological changes have occurred,
- Are occurring, or
- Are likely to occur due to technological developments, pollution, or other human interference.
- It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
DESIGNATION CRITERIA
- A wetland can be designated as a Ramsar Site if it satisfies at least one of the nine criteria related to:
- Ecology
- Botany
- Zoology
- Limnology
- Hydrology
- Protection of threatened species and biodiversity.
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