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Glaw Lake Becomes Arunachal Pradesh's First Ramsar Site; India's Total Reaches 101

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR

IRInternational Relations

Why in news

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh has been designated as India's 101st Ramsar site, marking the state's first Ramsar site. This milestone underscores India's growing commitment to wetland conservation and biodiversity protection.

Background

India has been actively designating Ramsar sites since 1982, with the number growing from 26 in 2014 to 101 in 2026. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Key facts

in5points

  1. Glaw Lake is located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.

  2. It is a pristine freshwater lake in the Eastern Himalayas, fed by perennial mountain streams and surrounded by dense vegetation.

  3. The wetland hosts over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species, highlighting its ecological significance.

  4. With this addition, India now has 101 Ramsar sites, the highest in South Asia.

  5. The announcement was made by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on August 3, 2026.

  6. India's Ramsar sites have increased from 26 in 2014 to 101 in 2026, reflecting a four-fold expansion under the current government.

Prelims pointers

  • Ramsar Convention: International treaty for wetland conservation, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
  • India became a party to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982.
  • Glaw Lake: First Ramsar site in Arunachal Pradesh, located in Kamlang Tiger Reserve.
  • Kamlang Tiger Reserve: Located in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Total Ramsar sites in India: 101 (as of August 2026).
  • Largest Ramsar site in India: Sundarbans (West Bengal).
  • Smallest Ramsar site: Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh).
  • Montreux Record: List of Ramsar sites where ecological character has changed or is likely to change.

Mains angles

  • Discuss the significance of Ramsar sites in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
  • Examine the role of international conventions like Ramsar in India's environmental policy.
  • Analyze the challenges in wetland conservation in India and the effectiveness of Ramsar designation.