World Wetlands Day: Threats to Punjab's Wetlands

Key Points

• 1February 2 is World Wetlands Day, with the theme "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future".
• 2India announced four new Ramsar sites: Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand, Theerthangal and Sakkarakottai in Tamil Nadu, and Khecheopalri in Sikkim.
• 3Wetlands are vital for biodiversity, water conservation, and provide habitats for migratory birds and aquatic species.
• 4India has 89 Ramsar sites.
• 5Punjab has six major wetlands, including Harike wetlands, designated as a Ramsar Site in 1990.
• 6The 2023-24 bird census showed a decline in migratory bird populations in Punjab's wetlands.
• 7Industrial waste discharge, illegal sand mining, and pesticides are major threats.