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Lakes, Wetlands & Ramsar Sites of UP
Ramsar wetland sites of Uttar Pradesh, major lakes, bird sanctuaries, ecological importance — comprehensive exam guide for UPSSSC AGTA.
Lakes & Wetlands of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has a rich network of lakes and wetlands that serve as vital habitats for migratory birds, support local fisheries, and recharge groundwater. UP has the highest number of Ramsar sites among all Indian states.
What is a Ramsar Site?
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Definition | Wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention (1971) |
| Convention signed at | Ramsar, Iran |
| India joined | 1982 |
| Purpose | Conservation and wise use of wetlands |
| India’s first Ramsar sites | Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo (Rajasthan) — both in 1981 |
Ramsar Sites of Uttar Pradesh
UP has 10 Ramsar sites (as of 2024), the most for any Indian state:
| # | Ramsar Site | District | Area (ha) | Year Designated | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Ganga River | Bijnor-Haridwar | 26,590 | 2005 | Gharial, river dolphin habitat |
| 2 | Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary | Unnao | 225 | 2019 | Sarus crane, migratory birds |
| 3 | Saman Bird Sanctuary | Mainpuri | 526 | 2019 | Wintering ground for waterbirds |
| 4 | Samaspur Bird Sanctuary | Rae Bareli | 799 | 2019 | Over 250 bird species recorded |
| 5 | Sandi Bird Sanctuary | Hardoi | 309 | 2019 | Important for migratory waterfowl |
| 6 | Parvati Aranga Bird Sanctuary | Gonda | 722 | 2019 | Floodplain wetland of Ghaghra |
| 7 | Sarsai Nawar Jheel | Etawah | 161 | 2019 | Sarus crane breeding ground |
| 8 | Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) | Agra | 431 | 2020 | Near Agra, bears wildlife rescue centre |
| 9 | Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary | Sant Kabir Nagar | 2,890 | 2021 | Largest natural floodplain wetland in UP |
| 10 | Haiderpur Wetland | Muzaffarnagar-Bijnor | 6,908 | 2021 | On Ganga-Solani confluence, migratory birds |
Memory Trick for 2019 batch: “NaSaSaSaPaSa” — Nawabganj, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi, Parvati Aranga, Sarsai Nawar — all designated in 2019.
Other Important Lakes of UP
| Lake | District | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Ramgarh Tal | Gorakhpur | Largest natural lake of UP (~723 ha), being developed as tourist spot |
| Barua Sagar Lake | Jhansi | Historical, built by Bundela rulers |
| Bhim Tal | Banda | Near Chitrakoot, scenic |
| Nachiketa Tal | Garhwal (border) | Mythological significance |
| Motijheel | Lucknow | Urban lake, historical |
| Chittaura Jheel | Bahraich | Wetland, bird habitat |
| Lakh Bahosi | Farrukhabad | Bird sanctuary near lake |
| Surha Tal | Ballia | Large oxbow lake of Ganga |
| Kuar Tal | Varanasi | Seasonal wetland |
Bird Sanctuaries Associated with Wetlands
| Sanctuary | District | Key Species |
|---|---|---|
| Nawabganj | Unnao | Sarus crane, painted stork |
| Saman | Mainpuri | Bar-headed goose, pintail |
| Lakh Bahosi | Farrukhabad | Migratory ducks, herons |
| Patna (Etah) | Etah | Waterbirds |
| Okhla | Gautam Buddh Nagar | On Yamuna, 300+ bird species (proposed Ramsar) |
| Bakhira | Sant Kabir Nagar | Siberian cranes (historically), migratory ducks |
Sarus Crane — UP’s Connection
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | State bird of Uttar Pradesh |
| Scientific name | Antigone antigone |
| Height | Tallest flying bird (~6 feet) |
| Habitat in UP | Wetlands of Etawah, Mainpuri, Unnao, Hardoi |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable |
| Threat | Wetland drainage, pesticide use, habitat loss |
UP has the largest population of Sarus cranes in the world. The bird features in UP’s cultural identity and tourism promotions.
Ecological Importance of UP Wetlands
| Function | Detail |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Habitat for migratory birds from Central Asia, Siberia |
| Fisheries | Freshwater fish production supports local livelihoods |
| Groundwater recharge | Wetlands act as natural sponges, recharging aquifers |
| Flood control | Absorb excess monsoon water, reduce downstream flooding |
| Carbon sink | Wetland vegetation stores atmospheric carbon |
| Livelihood | Fishing, agriculture on wetland margins, ecotourism |
Key Takeaways
- UP has 10 Ramsar sites — the most for any Indian state
- Six sites were designated together in 2019 (Nawabganj, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi, Parvati Aranga, Sarsai Nawar)
- Bakhira is the largest natural floodplain wetland in UP
- Ramgarh Tal (Gorakhpur) is UP’s largest natural lake
- The Sarus crane (state bird) depends on UP’s wetlands for survival
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Total Ramsar sites in UP | 10 |
| Largest natural lake in UP | Ramgarh Tal (Gorakhpur) |
| Largest floodplain wetland | Bakhira (Sant Kabir Nagar) |
| Sur Sarovar is in | Agra (also called Keetham Lake) |
| Upper Ganga Ramsar designated | 2005 |
| Haiderpur Wetland district | Muzaffarnagar-Bijnor |
| Sarus crane IUCN status | Vulnerable |
| Sarsai Nawar significance | Sarus crane breeding ground |
| Ramsar Convention year | 1971 |
| Six UP sites designated in | 2019 |
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