India’s new  Wetland sites : Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuary

Why in News ? India celebrated World Environment Day with the addition of the Nagi Bird Sanctuary and the Nakti Bird Sanctuary in Bihar to the global list of important wetlands.

• These newly designated Ramsar sites are man-made reservoirs located in the Jhajha forest range of Jamui district in Bihar. Their catchments feature dry deciduous forests surrounded by hills.
• This takes the number of Ramsar Sites in the country to 82 covering a total area of 13,32,746.24 hactare.

About Nakti Bird Sanctuary:

• The Nakti Bird Sanctuary was primarily developed for irrigation through the construction of the Nakti Dam. Since the dam’s completion, the wetland and its surrounding area have provided habitat for over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, reptiles, and amphibians.
• Among them are globally threatened species, including the endangered Indian elephant and a vulnerable native catfish (wallago attu).
• Designated as a bird sanctuary in 1984, Nakti hosts several migratory species during winter months, with over 20,000 birds congregating, including one of the largest gatherings of red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) on the Indo-Gangetic plain.

 About the Nagi Bird Sanctuary:

• The Nagi Bird Sanctuary formed after the damming of the Nagi River, gradually creating water bodies with clear water and aquatic vegetation.
• Recognized locally as a bird sanctuary in 1984, Nagi is also identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International due to its significance for migratory bird species. Threatened migratory species that spend winter at the site include the critically endangered Baer’s pochard and the endangered steppe eagle.