Description

Why In News?

Shekha Jheel in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, has been officially designated as India’s 99th Ramsar Site.

About Shekha Jheel

Location: Situated near Shekha village within the Indo-Gangetic plains, the wetland is approximately 17 km from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Formation: Created after the 1852 construction of the Upper Ganges Canal, this perennial freshwater body relies on the adjacent canal to maintain water levels.

Ecological Significance

Shekha Jheel is a biodiversity hotspot, acting as a vital refuge in a human-dominated agricultural landscape.

Avian Diversity: The sanctuary is home to over 250 bird species, of which 62 are wetland-dependent.
Migratory Hub: It serves as a critical stopover on the Central Asian Flyway (CAF). Key winter visitors include:

Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) – Known for high-altitude migration over the Himalayas.
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
Various species of ducks, waders, and teals.

Flora: The lake supports diverse aquatic vegetation:

Submerged: Hydrilla, Ceratophyllum.
Free-floating: Azolla, Salvinia.
Periphery: Trees like Terminalia arjuna (Arjun) and Syzygium cumini (Jamun) provide roosting sites.

Other Fauna: Apart from birds, it supports mammals like the Blue Bull (Nilgai), Indian Mongoose, and Golden Jackal.

Conservation Challenges

Agricultural Encroachment: Expansion of farmlands into the wetland periphery reduces the buffer zone.
Invasive Species: The proliferation of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) chokes the water body, reducing dissolved oxygen and hampering bird movement.
Pollution: Runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides from adjacent fields leads to eutrophication.
Illegal Activities: Poaching of birds and unauthorized grazing within the sanctuary limits remain operational challenges.

Source: timesofindia

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the "Montreux Record":

It is a register of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred or are likely to occur.
Currently, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake are the only two Indian sites on this record.
Chilika Lake was once removed from the record following successful restoration.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites) where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference.

Statement 2 is correct: As of the current date, Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are the only two Indian sites included in the Montreux Record.

Statement 3 is correct: Chilika Lake (Odisha) was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 due to siltation and other ecological problems but was removed in 2002 following successful restoration efforts by the Chilika Development Authority.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Shekha Jheel is a bird sanctuary and a semi-natural freshwater wetland located 17 km from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. It was formed as a perennial freshwater body following the construction of the Upper Ganges Canal in 1852.

The wetland is a crucial node in the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), serving as a wintering ground and mandatory stopover for over 249 bird species. It hosts globally recognized migratory birds like the Bar-headed Goose and the Near Threatened Painted Stork.

Amrit Dharohar is a government scheme launched in the Union Budget 2023-24 aimed at promoting the "wise use" of wetlands. It incentivizes local communities to engage in eco-tourism, sustainable fisheries, and carbon sequestration, turning conservation into an income-generating asset.