Why In News?

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially designated Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh as India’s 101st Ramsar Site.  

About Glaw Lake

Location: Within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh.

Wetland Type: A high-altitude, pristine, natural freshwater lake in the Eastern Himalayas.

Hydrological Features:

  • Fed by perennial glaciated Himalayan streams, it forms the primary headwaters of the perennial Kamlang River.

  • Tectonic activity and land-block warping in the Eastern Himalayan fold belt created this natural depression storing alpine run-off.

Bioluminescence:

  • The lake displays a natural nocturnal glow caused by dinoflagellates, a type of light-emitting microalgae.

  • The lake water's unique chemical composition, featuring high concentrations of phosphates and nitrates, provides the perfect environment for these organisms to thrive.

Biodiversity Richness

  • Flora: Catchment supports over 150 tree species (Hollong, Canarium, Rhododendron) and 49 recorded wild orchid species.

  • Four Big Cats: Rare Himalayan habitat supporting four major species: Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus), Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), and Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia).

  • Rare Primates and Mammals: Forest corridor supports endangered species, including Hoolock Gibbon, Slow Loris, Capped Langur, Red Panda, and Mishmi Takin.

  • Avifauna: Wintering grounds for water birds, including critically endangered white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) and over 20 species of reptiles and amphibians.

Ramsar Convention

  • Origin: Established on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran. India joined in 1982.

  • Objective: Prevents global wetland loss and promotes the "wise use" of wetlands to sustain biological diversity.

  • Global Reach: Includes over 2,531 sites covering 2.6 million square kilometers

  • Designation Criteria: Sites must support vulnerable or endangered species, maintain regional biological diversity, and provide critical hydrological services like groundwater recharge and flood prevention.

India’s Ramsar Network Status

  • Global Standing: India ranks first in Asia and third globally for the number of protected wetlands, trailing only the UK and Mexico.

  • First Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)  

  • Largest Site: Sunderban Wetland (West Bengal) at 423,000 hectares.

  • Smallest Sites: Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh) and Vembannur Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu) at 20 hectares each.

  • State Leader: Tamil Nadu holds the highest count with 20 sites.

  • Unique Sites: Lonar Lake (Maharashtra) (meteorite-impact crater) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) (world’s only floating park).

Source: PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Glaw Lake, which was recently designated as a Ramsar Site:

  1. It is the first Ramsar Site designated in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

  2. It is a natural freshwater lake located within the Namdapha National Park.

  3. It serves as the primary headwater origin for the perennial Kamlang River. 

Which of the statements given above are correct? 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 1 and 3 only 

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Glaw Lake is designated as Arunachal Pradesh's first Ramsar Site.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Although it is bounded by Namdapha National Park to the south, the lake itself lies deep within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Statement 3 is correct: The lake serves as the primary headwater origin and source for the perennial Kamlang River.