Indore's Yashwant Sagar bags Wetland of International Importance status under Ramsar Convention

Indore's Yashwant Sagar lake has become the second water body in Indore to earn the status of "Wetlands of International Importance", under Ramsar conventions. With this, Madhya Pradesh's total tally of Wetlands of International Importance now stands at 4, with one each in Bhopal and Shivpuri, and two in Indore.

Along with this, the Union Environment Ministry also announced 10 other sites which have been listed under Ramsar sites, taking the total number of sites to 75 in India.

Located on Gambhir river, around 26 kilometers west of Indore near Hatod village on the Indore-Depalpur road, Yashwant Sagar is one of the two Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the Indore region. Additionally, it is also one of the most important birding sites in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh.

Currently, it is being used for supplying water to the city of Indore, the authorities also plan to initiate fish culture on a commercial scale. Additionally, Yashwant Sagar is considered to be a stronghold of the vulnerable species, the "Sarus Crane" in central India.

The lake backwaters have plenty of shallow areas, conducive for waders and other waterfowl. Due to its vast shallow reed beds, the wetland is considered sublime to a large number of winter migratory birds.

Commemorating 75 years of Independence, 11 new sites in India were added to the list of Ramsar sites, taking the total to 75 Ramsar sites in the country.

The 11 new sites include four sites in Tamil Nadu, three in Odisha, two in Jammu & Kashmir and one each in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Designation of these sites would help in the conservation and management of wetlands and the wise use of their resources.