Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex: Pursuit of Ramsar Site Status
The Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex is located within the 70.13 sq. km Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in central Assam’s Nagaon district, part of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve. Conservationists, wildlife officials, academics, and students are advocating for its designation as a Ramsar site due to its ecological significance.
Significance and Biodiversity
- Ramsar Site Definition: Wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Iran.
- An average of 120 species of resident and migratory birds, including globally threatened species like the knob-billed duck, black-necked stork, and ferruginous pochard, are recorded annually in the Rowmari-Donduwa complex.
Ecological Importance
- The Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries serve as connectivity corridors for wildlife between the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and Orang National Park.
India's Ramsar Sites
- India hosts 93 Ramsar Sites covering 13.6 lakh hectares, supporting biodiversity and crucial ecosystem services such as flood control.
- Tamil Nadu leads with 20 Ramsar sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.
