Bhoj Wetland: A Biodiversity Hotspot in Bhopal

Bhoj Wetland

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Context

The Union Government has refuted claims that the Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal is facing a threat of delisting from the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance.

Details

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, established in February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under UNESCO’s auspices, aims to conserve and ensure the sustainable use of wetlands worldwide.
Bhoj Wetland is a designated Ramsar site, recognized for its international importance.

Concerns Raised

Recent reports suggested that Bhoj Wetland was at risk of delisting due to the planning of a proposed road through its catchment area.
This development prompted a local environmental activist to file a complaint with the Ramsar Convention Secretariat.

Union Government's Response

Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has clarified that according to the Madhya Pradesh State Wetland Authority, Bhoj Wetland faces no imminent threat of delisting.

Bhoj Wetland

The Bhoj Wetland, located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, comprises two lakes: Bhojtal (Upper Lake) and the Lower Lake. The Bhojtal covers an area of 31 km² and drains a catchment of 361 km², which is predominantly rural with some urban areas. In contrast, the Lower Lake spans 29 km², has a catchment of 9.6 km², and is largely urbanized; it also receives subsurface seepage from the Bhojtal.
Bhojtal was created by Paramara Raja Bhoj (1005-1055) to secure the eastern frontier of his kingdom.
An earthen dam was constructed across the Kolans River to form the lake.
The Kolans, formerly a tributary of the Halali River, now drains into the Kaliasot River due to the lake and a diversion channel. The Bhadbhada Dam, built in 1965 at the southeast corner of Bhojtal, regulates its outflow to the Kaliasot River.
The Lower Lake, established in 1794 by Nawab Chhote Khan to enhance the city's beauty, is also contained by an earthen dam and drains into the Halali River via the Patra Drain. Both the Kaliasot and Halali Rivers are tributaries of the Betwa River.
The Bhoj Wetland, recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since August 2002, supports a rich variety of flora and fauna, including numerous waterbirds.

READ ALL ABOUT RAMSAR CONVENTION: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/ramsar-convention

Updated list of Ramsar Sites in India as of 2024:

S.No.	Ramsar Site	State/UT	Designated Year	Area (Hectares)
1	Kolleru Lake	Andhra Pradesh	2002	90100
2	Deepor Beel	Assam	2002	4000
3	Kabartal Wetland	Bihar	2020	2620
4	Nagi Bird Sanctuary	Bihar	2024	205.8
5	Nakti Bird Sanctuary	Bihar	2024	332.6
6	Nalsarovar	Gujarat	2012	12000
7	Wadhvana Wetland	Gujarat	2021	630
8	Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary	Gujarat	2021	699
9	Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary	Gujarat	2021	512
10	Nanda Lake	Goa	2022	42
11	Sultanpur National Park	Haryana	2021	143
12	Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary	Haryana	2021	412
13	Pong Dam Lake	Himachal Pradesh	2002	15662
14	Chandertal Wetland	Himachal Pradesh	2005	49
15	Renuka Wetland	Himachal Pradesh	2005	20
16	Wular Lake	Jammu and Kashmir	1990	18900
17	Surinsar-Mansar Lakes	Jammu and Kashmir	2005	350
18	Hokera Wetland	Jammu and Kashmir	2005	1375
19	Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve	Jammu and Kashmir	2022	802
20	Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve	Jammu and Kashmir	2022	1675
21	Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary	Karnataka	2022	518
22	Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve	Karnataka	2023	98.76
23	Aghanashini Estuary	Karnataka	2023	4801
24	Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve	Karnataka	2023	54.38
25	Asthamudi Wetland	Kerala	2002	6140
26	Sasthamkotta Lake	Kerala	2002	373
27	Vembanad-Kol Wetland	Kerala	2002	151250
28	Tso Kar Wetland Complex	Ladakh	2020	9577
29	Tsomoriri Lake	Ladakh	2002	12000
30	Bhoj Wetlands	Madhya Pradesh	2002	3201
31	Sirpur Wetland	Madhya Pradesh	2022	161
32	Sakhya Sagar	Madhya Pradesh	2022	248
33	Yashwant Sagar	Madhya Pradesh	2022	823
34	Nandur Madhameshwar	Maharashtra	2019	1437
35	Lonar Lake	Maharashtra	2020	427
36	Thane Creek	Maharashtra	2022	6521
37	Loktak Lake	Manipur	1990	26600
38	Pala Wetland	Mizoram	2021	1850
39	Chilka Lake	Odisha	1981	116500
40	Bhitarkanika Mangroves	Odisha	2002	65000
41	Satkosia Gorge	Odisha	2021	98197
42	Tampara Lake	Odisha	2021	300
43	Hirakud Reservoir	Odisha	2021	65400
44	Ansupa Lake	Odisha	2021	231
45	Harike Lake	Punjab	1990	4100
46	Kanjli Lake	Punjab	2002	183
47	Ropar Lake	Punjab	2002	1365
48	Beas Conservation Reserve	Punjab	2019	6429
49	Keshopur – Miani Community Reserve	Punjab	2019	344
50	Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary	Punjab	2019	116
51	Keoladeo Ghana National Park	Rajasthan	1981	2873
52	Sambhar Lake	Rajasthan	1990	24000
53	Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2002	38500
54	Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2021	72
55	Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2021	260
56	Karikili Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2022	58
57	Pichavaram Mangrove	Tamil Nadu	2022	1479
58	Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest	Tamil Nadu	2022	1248
59	Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve	Tamil Nadu	2022	52672
60	Vembannur Wetland Complex	Tamil Nadu	2022	20
61	Vellode Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2022	77
62	Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2022	44
63	Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2022	40
64	Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex	Tamil Nadu	2022	94
65	Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2022	113
66	Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2022	97
67	Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2023	453.72
68	Longwood Shola Reserve Forest	Tamil Nadu	2023	116.007
69	Rudrasagar Lake	Tripura	2005	240
70	Upper Ganga River	Uttar Pradesh	2005	26590
71	Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh	2019	225
72	Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh	2019	722
73	Saman Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh	2019	526
74	Samaspur Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh	2019	799
75	Sandi Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh	2019	309
76	Sarsai Nawar Jheel	Uttar Pradesh	2019	161
77	Sur Sarovar	Uttar Pradesh	2020	431
78	Haiderpur Wetland	Uttar Pradesh	2021	6908
79	Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh	2021	2894
80	Asan Conservation Reserve	Uttarakhand	2020	444
81	East Calcutta Wetlands	West Bengal	2002	12500
82	Sunderbans Wetland	West Bengal	2019	423000

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Bhojtal and Bhoj Wetland?

1.Bhojtal was created by Paramara Raja Bhoj between 1005 and 1055.

2.The Bhadbhada Dam is located at the southeast corner of Bhojtal.

3.Bhoj Wetland has been recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

4.Bhojtal is located in the state of Rajasthan.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 1, 2, and 3 only

C) 1 and 4 only

D) 2 and 4 only

Answer: B) 1, 2, and 3 only

SOURCE: TOI