Part 1 - English version (PDF) - Convention on Biological Diversity

India’s Fourth National Report to the <strong>Convention</strong> on Biological Diversity
from high altitude cold desert wetlands to hot and humid wetlands in coastal zones with a range of other
types in between.
Uniqueness of biodiversity
The wetlands are home to many endemic and threatened species distributed across the country (Table 1.17).
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Table 1.17: State-wise distribution of endemic wetland plants, threatened fishes and turtles
Sl State Endemic plants Threatened birds Threatened fishes Threatened turtles
1 Tamil Nadu 46 3 35 4
2 Kerala 65 - 37 3
3 Karnataka 64 5 15 2
4 Goa 17 - 15 0
5 Andhra Pradesh 13 6 19 2
6 Orissa 6 - 22 6
7 Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh 20 5 16 7
8 Maharashtra 69 2 19 3
9 Gujarat 11 6 12 1
10 Rajasthan 9 6 17 3
11 Haryana 0 6 15 1
12 Punjab 0 4 15 5
13 Jammu & Kashmir 2 2 20 2
14 Himachal Pradesh 0 2 19 0
15 Uttar Pradesh 3 13 34 10
16 Bihar & Jharkhand 5 3 19 9
17 West Bengal 5 6 32 11
18 Assam 2 10 35 10
19 NE States* 5 12 34 9
20 Total 114 91 102 16
* Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura
Source: Vijayan et al. 2004; SACON, Coimbatore
Threats and conservation status
Wetlands are threatened due to reclamation for developmental activities, pollution, increasing
water demand, change in hydrological regime, over exploitation of resources, etc. Some of the
threatened wetland bird species such as Finns’ Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus); Imperial Eagle
(Aquila heliacal); Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis); Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni); Sociable
Lapwing (Vanellus gregarious); Bristled Grass Warbler (Chaetornis striatus); Masked Finfoot (Helipais
personata) etc., have very small populations restricted to one or two sites.
Under the NWCP, of the total 115 wetlands only 31 (27%) are covered under PAs. A study has
indicated that conservation efforts of the Himalayan wetlands have largely been concentrated in
the two western Himalayan States (J&K and HP). The eastern Himalaya, that contain 80% (1,529)
of total Himalayan wetlands have received little attention. These wetlands are important wildlife
habitats and have significant socio-cultural values.
In recent years, India’s response to international commitments under Ramsar <strong>Convention</strong> has
resulted in steady progression of designating Ramsar sites. At present, 25 wetlands have been
designated as Ramsar sites in India, (http://ramsar.org) which cover an area of 6,77,131 ha. Chilika