NEW RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA ( UPSC Prelims)

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Khichan Wetland (Rajasthan)

 ● Location: Northern Thar Desert, Phalodi  
      ○ Includes two water bodies: Ratri nadi (river) and Vijaysagar talab (pond), along with riparian habitat and scrub land.
      ○ Serves as a wintering site for flocks of migratory demoiselle cranes (*Anthropoides virgo*).

Menar Wetland Complex (Rajasthan)

Location: Menar and Kheroda village, Udaipur
 This area is a freshwater monsoon wetland complex created by three ponds: Braham talab, Dhand talab, and Kheroda talab.
 Among the notable bird species present here are the critically endangered white-rumped vulture (*Gyps bengalensis*) and the long-billed vulture (*Gyps indicus*).

Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan)

 ● Location: Paitpur, Alwar District  
      ○ Situated in a semi-arid zone and is part of the buffer region of the Sariska tiger reserve.
      ○ This is a human-made wetland, established in 1845 AD by Maharaja Vinay Singh through the construction of a bund across a tributary of the River Ruparel.

Gokul Reservoir (Bihar)

 ● Location: Buxar district  
      ○ An oxbow lake situated on the southern edge of the Ganga River.
      ○ A significant habitat for Blackbuck.

Udaipur Lake (Bihar)

 ● Location: West Champaran district.  
  ● Oxbow Lake encircled by the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary.  
      ○ A significant winter habitat for numerous migratory bird species such as the pochard (*Aythya ferina*).

Gogabeel Lake (Bihar)

 ● Location: Katihar district  
      ○ An oxbow wetland, created by the flow of the Mahananda and Kankhar rivers in the north, and the Ganga river in the south and east
      ○ The first community reserve in Bihar.

Kopra Jalashay (Chattisgarh)

 ● Bilaspur District: The site is situated in this area.  
      ○ It is a reservoir located in the upper catchment area of the River Mahanadi.
      ○ The site is characterized by shallow, nutrient-rich backwaters.