India has added another globally recognized wetland to its conservation map with Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh being designated as the country’s 101st Ramsar Site under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The announcement was made by Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, who described the recognition as a significant milestone for biodiversity conservation, water security, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
Located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalayas, Glaw Lake is a pristine freshwater wetland known for its rich biodiversity. It supports a wide variety of flora and fauna, including numerous endemic and threatened species, making it an ecologically important habitat.
The Ramsar designation also makes Glaw Lake the first Ramsar Site in Arunachal Pradesh, bringing international recognition to the state’s unique wetland ecosystem. The status is expected to strengthen conservation efforts while promoting sustainable management of the lake and the livelihoods of local communities that depend on it.
With the inclusion of Glaw Lake, India now has 101 Ramsar Sites, reaffirming its commitment to wetland conservation under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty adopted in 1971 for the protection and sustainable use of wetlands. The growing network of Ramsar Sites plays a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change impacts, supporting migratory species, and maintaining ecological balance.
