The famous Sukna wetland complex in Chandigarh has officially been designated as India's 103rd Ramsar site, receiving the number 2602. This inclusion places Chandigarh on the global map of internationally recognized wetlands.
Located on the outskirts of Chandigarh, where the Shivalik Hills rise towards the Himalayas, Lake Sukna offers residents more than just an open body of water. Its shores, surrounding vegetation, and adjacent forests form a habitat that supports wildlife, including birds that travel thousands of kilometers between continents.
Sukna functions as a peri-urban water body, meaning it is a water feature located within or near an urban area while maintaining critically important ecological functions. This ecological significance has now received international recognition.
Four Habitats, One Interconnected Ecosystem
A wetland is not merely an extensive surface of water. Its ecological character is defined by the various habitats existing within and around it, and it is these habitats that allow different species of wildlife to utilize the area in diverse ways. Some species depend on open water, while others use the vegetation along the banks or the surrounding forest.
This diversity is particularly important for birds that use Sukna as a seasonal stopover. For migratory waterfowl, wetlands are not isolated points; they are part of larger geographical routes connecting breeding grounds, feeding zones, and wintering areas.
Stopover on the Central Asian Flyway
Sukna is situated along the Central Asian Flyway, which is a primary route for birds migrating between breeding and wintering grounds. During these journeys, birds require suitable places to rest, feed, and recover before continuing their migration. Wetlands like Sukna provide these vital habitats.
The lake serves as a feeding, breeding, roosting, and wintering ground for migratory waterfowl. Each of these functions is significant at different stages of the bird's life cycle. Furthermore, Sukna supports species with varying conservation statuses, highlighting the importance of protecting its habitat.
India's network of Ramsar sites has expanded to 103! With the addition of Lake Sukna in Chandigarh and Sauj Gill in Uttar Pradesh to the list, India's commitment to wetland conservation continues to grow. These wetlands preserve biodiversity, strengthen water and climate security, and support local livelihoods. Their recognition also reinforces the importance of protecting these vital ecosystems for future generations.
Among three notable species associated with this wetland are: the Common Moorhen, classified as a vulnerable species that depends on suitable freshwater habitats; the Pallid Harrier, classified as endangered, a large predator associated with wetland and riverine ecosystems; and the Black Swamp Turtle, classified as endangered, a freshwater turtle that requires suitable aquatic conditions to survive.
What Does Ramsar Status Mean?
The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It is named after the Iranian city where it was adopted in 1971 and establishes the framework for recognizing wetlands of international importance.
Inclusion in the Ramsar List grants the wetland international recognition of its ecological significance and draws attention to the need for its preservation. With the inclusion of Sukna, India's Ramsar network now comprises 103 sites. For Chandigarh, this designation places one of its important urban wetlands into this international system of nature conservation.
Thus, Sukna's new status is more than just an international listing. It is a recognition that even in a planned city, a wetland can remain part of a much larger ecological network connecting local landscapes with wildlife and migratory routes stretching far beyond national borders.
