Chandigarh: Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh has been designated a Ramsar site, earning international recognition as a wetland of importance and marking a significant milestone for the city’s environmental conservation efforts.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the development on Thursday, stating that Sukhna Lake and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh are the latest additions to India’s Ramsar network. With these two additions, India’s total number of Ramsar sites has risen to 103.
Located at the foothills of the Outer Himalayas, Sukhna Wetland plays an important role in regulating water and sediment flows from its surrounding catchment. It supports diverse habitats, including open water, vegetation, scrubland and forest, and provides an important refuge for resident and migratory birds.
The wetland is particularly significant for birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway, offering feeding, breeding, roosting and wintering habitats. Its international recognition is expected to strengthen the focus on wetland conservation and biodiversity protection in Chandigarh.
Yadav said the new designations reflected the Centre’s focus on wetland conservation, biodiversity, water security and climate resilience. He also congratulated Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh on the achievement.