Protected Areas of Punjab part 1 - Wetlands

Protected Areas of Punjab part 1 - Wetlands

Introduction 

● Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protectionbecause of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values.

● Protected areas of Punjab (340sq.km ) :

○ 13 wildlife sanctuaries

○ 1 conservation Reserve

○ 2 Community Reserves

○ 21 Wetlands

Wetlands of Punjab

● Wetlands are dynamic aquatic ecosystems found all over the world. A wetland is an area of land that is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands can be freshwater, brackish (partly salty), or saline (very salty).

● According to Ramsar Convention,1971 - “ Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing,

fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.”

● Punjab has total 21 wetlands : 12 natural + 9 manmade

Categorization of Punjab Wetlands

1. Wetlands of International Importance

2. Wetlands of National Importance

3. State Wetlands

4. Other identified Wetlands

Wetlands of International Importance :

1. Harike Wetland

2. Kanjli Wetland

3. Ropar Wetland

Harike Wetland (Man-made)

● Also known as "Hari-ke-Pattan",

● In the border of Tarn Taran Sahib district and Ferozepur district

● It came into existence in 1952 and is located downstream of the confluence of  Beas and Sutlej rivers.

● Declared Ramsar site in 1990

Kanjli Wetland (man made)

● Located in Kapurthala

● created in 1870 by constructing the headworks across the perennial Bien River for irrigation purpose.

● 1988: designated as wetland of National

● 2002: designated as wetland of International Importance

● Socio-religious importance : Association with Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Ropar Wetland (man made)

● Created in 1887 at Satluj River near Ropar city

● 1996: designated as wetland of National Importance

● 2002: designated as wetland of International Importance

Wetlands of National Importance :

1. Ranjit Sagar Wetland

2. Nangal Wetland

Ranjit Sagar wetland (man made)

● Located on river Ravi 24 km upstream of Madhopur headworks.

● 2006: designated as wetland of National Importance

Nangal Wetland

● Nangal Dam constructed on river Satluj forms an artificial lake called Nangal Lake

● 2008 : declared as wetland of National Importance

● 2009: declared as wildlife sanctuary

State Wetlands 

1. Jastarwal Wetland : natural ; Amritsar district

2. Kahnuwan Chamb Wetland : natural ; Gurdaspur District

3. Keshopur-Miani Wetland : natural ;Gurdaspur District

4. Mand- Bharthala wetland : Natural ;SBS Nagar

Other Identified Wetlands

● Aliwali Kotli : natural ; Amritsar district

● Bareta : natural ; Mansa district

● Narayangarh : natural ; Hoshiarpur district

● Sital Sagar : natural ; Hoshiarpur district

● Rababsar : natural ; Kapurthala district

● Lobana : natural ; Patiala district

● Lehal Kalan : natural ; Sangrur district

● Gobindgarh Khokhar : natural ; Sangrur district

● Hussainiwala Reservoir : man made ;Ferozepur district

● Maili dam : man made ; Hoshiarpur district

● Mangrowal Dam : man made ; Hoshiarpur district

Download  here : Protected Areas of Punjab part 1- Wetlands.pdf