Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary: India's 100th Ramsar Site

India made a historic step towards wetland conservation on World Environment Day, on 5th June 2026. Surha Tal Wetland in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, is designated as India's 100th Ramsar site. The Prime Minister congratulated the accomplishment and called it a proud moment in the country's environmental journey.

Let’s explore in detail India’s 100th Ramsar Site, Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary.

What is a Ramsar Site?

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed by 173 countries to protect wetlands. It was named after the Iranian city where this convention was signed; it was initiated in 1971 with 18 countries. A wetland is added to the list of Ramsar Sites if it is of international importance for ecology, biodiversity or waterbird populations. India joined this convention in 1982.

India's 100th Ramsar Site: Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary

The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary was declared a bird sanctuary in 1991 from the land areas of 45 villages, such as Surha Tal, and this bird sanctuary was renamed in 2002 to honour activist and political leader Jai Prakash Narayan. 

It's a completely natural oxbow lake (a river that bends and is eventually cut off from the river to create a curved lake). This sanctuary is the ground of thousands of migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia.

Important Facts About Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary

Biodiversity and Wildlife of Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary

This bird sanctuary supports a diversity of species, including several species of critical importance. It is situated along the Central Asian Flyway and is the ground of various bird species, and it is one of the best wintering sites as thousands of migratory birds fly in from Siberia and Central Asia. 

It is home to the common pochard, Indian river tern, sarus crane and bar-headed geese, amongst other remarkable species.

More than 221 plant and 66 fish species, including the vulnerable Wallago attu and Bagarius, have been seen in the wetland. This site is also a feeding and breeding ground for the vulnerable mammal species, the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), because of the abundance of fish.

The wetland is home to a variety of aquatic plants, fish, and wildlife and is considered to be an important biodiversity hotspot in the region.

What is the Cultural and Social Significance of the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary?

Surha Taal has a strong cultural background in eastern Uttar Pradesh, besides being an ecological entity. The wetland is linked to local historical, religious and traditional beliefs of people living near the wetland. This makes it not only an ecological treasure but also a socio-cultural landscape. 

How many Ramsar Sites are there in India?

After the addition of the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary to Ramsar Sites in India, there are 100 Ramsar Sites in India as of May 2026. In Asia, India has the highest number of Ramsar Sites, and globally, India holds the third rank, preceded by the United Kingdom, which leads the world with 176 Ramsar Sites, and Mexico, with 144.

How many Ramsar Sites are in Uttar Pradesh?

Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary becomes the 13th Ramsar Site of Uttar Pradesh. Earlier in 2026, two other wetlands from the same state were added to the Ramsar list. Before Surha Tal was recognised as a bird sanctuary, Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Aligarh, and Patna Bird Sanctuary in the Etah district were marked as bird sanctuaries in Uttar Pradesh.