India is set to increase the number of its Ramsar-designated wetlands, sites of international importance, from 85 to 100. Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh announced this at the 16th session of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Cali, Colombia. This achievement highlights India’s leadership in Asia, where it holds the highest number of designated wetlands and ranks third globally, trailing only the UK (175) and Mexico (144). Wetlands play a vital role in flood control, water supply, biodiversity, and supporting migratory bird habitats.
