Since 2014, the number of Ramsar sites in India has increased from 26 to 98, making India the leader in Asia for wetlands of international importance. Minister Yadav credited the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for this expansion and stressed the link between water, life, and cultural heritage.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, followed the theme ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage’. Union Minister of State Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasised that wetlands are not merely water resources but are intertwined with culture, festivals, and social life, serving as gathering places for communities across generations.
Shri Singh highlighted the ecological and cultural importance of the Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, a Ramsar site that supports native and migratory bird species and holds significant cultural value. A video teaser of the sanctuary was launched during the event, illustrating the intricate ecological balance and biodiversity supported by these wetlands.
Delhi Environment Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa observed that rapid urbanisation and encroachments have strained wetlands. He announced that the Delhi government aims to restore its water bodies within two years. Secretary (EFCC) Shri Tanmay Kumar underlined the importance of community involvement, noting that Wetland Mitras have played a key role in conservation, directly benefiting local culture, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
The celebration featured an exhibition of institutions and organisations working on wetlands, biodiversity, and environmental protection. States were felicitated for their newly designated Ramsar sites, and the Ministry released a document, Cultural Wonders of Ramsar Sites, highlighting the intangible cultural heritage associated with wetlands.
Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 Awards were presented to the National Museum of Natural History, New Delhi; the Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata; and the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, recognising their exemplary performance in environmental conservation efforts.
In a special initiative, Ministers engaged with Wetland Mitras and school children to promote awareness, concluding the event with a plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, reinforcing environmental responsibility and community participation.
World Wetlands Day, observed annually on 2 February, commemorates the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. India, a signatory since 1982, continues to advance wetland conservation through policy, community engagement, and sustainable management of its 98 internationally significant Ramsar sites.
