Sukhna wetland in Chandigarh becomes a Ramsar site as India's tally reaches 103
16 October 2026
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced two new Ramsar sites, the Sukhna wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh.
The additions take India's count of Ramsar sites to 103.
Sukhna is Chandigarh's first wetland on the international list, and the Ramsar Secretariat lists it as Site No. 2602.
The designation recognises the wetland as habitat for resident and migratory birds, reptiles and other wildlife, and it supports birds using the Central Asian Flyway.
Species named include the vulnerable common pochard, the endangered Pallas's fish eagle and the endangered black pond turtle.
The Minister made the announcement in a post on X, citing the Ramsar Secretariat's announcement of 15 October.
A designation commits the country to a management framework for conserving the site.
In plain words
Ramsar site Wetland of international importance — A wetland listed under the Ramsar Convention, which a country then undertakes to conserve.
Central Asian Flyway Migratory bird route — The route along which birds move between northern Asia and the Indian subcontinent.