Arunachal Pradesh has secured its first-ever Ramsar Site with the inclusion of Glaw Lake, taking India’s total number of internationally recognised wetlands under the Ramsar Convention to 101.
Announcing the development, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav described it as a significant achievement for biodiversity conservation, water security, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods. He said the designation reflects India’s continued commitment to protecting ecologically important wetland ecosystems while supporting communities that depend on them.
Highlighting the growth of India’s Ramsar network, Yadav noted that the country had 26 Ramsar Sites in 2014, a figure that has now risen to 101. According to him, the expansion demonstrates the government’s focus on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Nestled within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, Glaw Lake is a pristine freshwater lake situated in the Eastern Himalayas. Fed by perennial mountain streams, the lake forms part of a rich and fragile ecosystem that supports diverse plant and animal life.
The wetland is regarded as a biodiversity hotspot, surrounded by dense vegetation and ecologically important habitats. More than 150 species of trees and 49 species of orchids have been recorded within the lake area and its catchment, underscoring its conservation value.
The Ramsar recognition is expected to strengthen protection efforts for the wetland while promoting sustainable management of its natural resources. It also places Arunachal Pradesh on India’s Ramsar map for the first time, giving a major boost to conservation initiatives in the biodiversity-rich northeastern region.
With the addition of Glaw Lake, India has crossed the milestone of 100 Ramsar Sites, reinforcing its position as one of the countries actively expanding the global network of protected wetlands and highlighting the growing importance of wetlands in climate adaptation, water conservation and biodiversity protection.
