Gonda (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 4 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday highlighted the significant progress made in wetland conservation, noting that while only 23 wetland sites were recognised in the first 65 years of India's Independence, 63 new sites have been recognised in the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
Speaking at the World Wetlands Day programme held at the Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda, CM Yogi emphasised the need for continuous efforts to preserve these sites and acknowledged their potential to generate local employment through tourism.
'Since 65 years of Independence, only 23 wetland sites were recognised. But, in the last 10 years, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, 63 new sites have been recognised. We will have to make continuous efforts to preserve these sites. There should be a new beginning in that direction. We have identified many areas, and I am happy that we have been successful in carrying out this programme as a new initiative in that direction,' he said.
'If we look at these wetlands from a tourism perspective, they can become a medium to generate employment at the local level,' he added.
CM Yogi highlighted that tourism itself is a major contributor to the economy and a source of employment, whether through heritage tourism or spiritual tourism.
'We focused a little on Ayodhya Dham, improved connectivity, and enhanced some facilities. In 2016, only 2,35,000 tourists visited Ayodhya Dham, but by 2024, that number has reached 16 crore 11 lakh. This has led to an increase in employment opportunities there, whether as a guide, in restaurants, or as taxi drivers,' he said.
The Centre has recently added four new Ramsar sites in India, bringing the total to 89. The new sites include two in Tamil Nadu, one in Sikkim, and one in Jharkhand, making India the country with the largest number of such sites in South Asia.
These wetlands are protected under various national laws, including the Indian Forest Act (1927), the Forest (Conservation) Act (1980), and the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972).
Between 1982 and 2013, India added 26 sites to its list of Ramsar sites. However, from 2014 to 2024, the country has significantly increased its commitment to wetland conservation by adding 59 new Ramsar sites.
India is home to 1,307 wetlands, of which 113 are recognised for their ecological importance and contribution to biodiversity. Among these, 85 wetlands have been designated as Ramsar sites, highlighting their international significance for conservation. In addition to these, 1,109 other wetlands contribute to India's diverse natural landscapes.
These wetlands serve as crucial habitats for migratory birds, particularly those traveling along the Central Asian Flyway. They act as vital stopover sites where birds can rest and refuel during long migrations.
A wetland designated as a Ramsar site gains international recognition under the Convention on Wetlands (also known as the Ramsar Convention), an international environmental treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971.
(ANI)