Patna Bird Sanctuary & Chhari-Dhand Designated as India’s 97th & 98th Ramsar Sites

Current Context: On 2 February 2026, the Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah, Uttar Pradesh) and Chhari‑Dhand Wetland (Kutch, Gujarat) were designated as India’s 97th and 98th Ramsar Sites.

 

• The Patna Bird Sanctuary, spread over just 1 km², is India’s smallest bird sanctuary and supports 200+ bird species, including migratory waterfowl.
• The Chhari‑Dhand Wetland, covering about 80 km², is a seasonal desert wetland that hosts 55,000+ waterbirds, including flamingos, cranes, and endangered species.
• Both wetlands are crucial for the Central Asian Flyway, serving as habitats for migratory birds.
• With these additions, India now has 98 Ramsar Sites, covering nearly 2.2 million hectares of wetland area.
• This strengthens India’s commitment to the Ramsar Convention (1971), enhancing biodiversity conservation, eco‑tourism, and climate resilience.

Question:

Q.1 What is the approximate area of the Patna Bird Sanctuary, making it India’s smallest bird sanctuary?
a) 0.5 km²
b) 1 km²
c) 2 km²
d) 5 km²

Answer: b) Spread over just 1 square kilometre, the Patna Bird Sanctuary is India’s smallest bird sanctuary.