1 October 2012
India Names Wildlife Sanctuary a Ramsar Site
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Nalsarovar is a natural freshwater lake tthat provides habitat for 210 species of birds.

Ramsar notes that it is an important stopover site within the Central Asia Flyway, including for some endangered species.

The lake also provides drinking water and irrigiation water for the local population.

Activities carried out on the site include fishing and tourism.

28 September 2012: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) has reported that the Government of India has designated Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, a wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat state, as its 26th Wetland of International Importance.

According to the Ramsar Secretariat, Nalsarovar is a natural freshwater lake that provides habitat for 210 species of birds. It is an important stopover site within the Central Asia Flyway, including for some endangered species. The lake is also a source of drinking water and irrigation water for the local population. Activities carried out on the site include fishing and tourism.

The site designation was supported by WWF International Freshwater Programme and WWF-India. India’s designation contributes to one of the goals contained in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2015, which is to reach a protected area of 250 million hectares by 2015. [Ramsar Press Release]