To add more glory to the Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission, launched recently by Chief Minister MK Stalin, the state now has six more wetlands as Ramsar Sites. The Union Environment Ministry revealed that the Ramsar recognition tally of wetlands in Tamil Nadu reached 10 after six more wetlands were recognized with the coveted international recognition. The Union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav on Wednesday night announced the six Ramsar sites in the country. These include – Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary in Tirunelveli, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere reserve in Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram, Vembannur wetland complex in Kanyakumari, Vellode Bird Sanctuary in Erode, Vedathangal bird sanctuary in Chengalpattu and Udayamarthandapuram Bird sanctuary in Tiruvarur.
Tamil Nadu Forest Department Lauded With Praises After Their ‘Sterling Achievement’
After the news of the six new wetlands getting the Ramsar site, recognition was announced, and various people from the government took to Twitter to praise the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Tamil Nadu Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu said, “Congratulations Tamil Nadu. We just added 6 more Ramsar sites to our list of 4, reaching 1st position in India alongside UP with a total of 10 Ramsar sites. Kudos to the entire team #TNForest.”
Apart from this, Chief Minister M K Stalin revealed his extreme happiness on Twitter on Wednesday,
“This takes the Ramsar recognition tally of Tamil Nadu to 10. This international recognition is a matter of great pride and goes hand in hand with Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission. I congratulate TN Forest Department on this sterling achievement,”
Extremely happy that 6 more wetlands in TN (Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Vembannur Wetland Complex, Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary & Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary) have got the Ramsar site recognition today. pic.twitter.com/nYGQqBWNBE
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 3, 2022
Know The Six Wetlands That Are Now Ramsar Site
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
Situated in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
is a man-made wetland. It covers an area of 72.04 hectares.
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
The first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve is located on the southeastern coastline.
Vellode Bird Sanctuary
Locally called the Periyakulam Yeri, this sanctuary is located in the Vadamugam Vellode village in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district.
Absolutely thrilled to inform that 10 more Indian wetlands have got Ramsar recognition as wetlands of international importance.
This takes India’s tally of Ramsar sites to 64.
Special congratulations to Odisha, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/tGwbYLZFVd
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 3, 2022
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
This one is a freshwater wetland and is one of the oldest bird-protected areas in the Chengalpattu district of the state.
Vembannur Wetland Complex
This too is a man-made inland tank and is home to more than 250 species of birds in the district.
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
Located in the Thiruthuraipoondi taluk of Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, this sanctuary is a staging and breeding ground for several species of waterbirds.
Also read: We Explored India’s Second Largest Mangrove Wetland, Bhitarkanika & It Was Stunning
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