On April 22, 2026, Shri Bhupender Yadav, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, announced the designation of the Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, as a Ramsar site. This designation marks India’s 99th Ramsar site and increases Uttar Pradesh’s total count to 12.
The Minister stated that the announcement supports local livelihoods, global biodiversity, and water and climate security. From an ecological perspective, Shekha Jheel serves as a critical stopover on the Central Asian Flyway. It provides a vital winter habitat for various migratory birds, including the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and numerous duck species. The designation is framed as part of India’s broader ecosystem restoration mission led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
**Key Data Points and Metrics:**
* **India’s Total Ramsar Sites:** 99
* **Uttar Pradesh’s Total Ramsar Sites:** 12
* **Location:** Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
* **Announcement Date:** April 22, 2026
* **Release ID:** 2254357
* **Visitor Counter:** 2098
* **Official Social Media Handle:** @byadavbjp
* **Migratory Species Highlighted:** Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and various winter ducks.
Key Entities Referenced
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary (Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh): A wetland recently designated as India’s 99th Ramsar site and the 12th in Uttar Pradesh.
Ramsar site: An international designation for wetlands of global importance, providing recognition for biodiversity conservation and climate security.
Shri Bhupender Yadav: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change who announced the designation of the new Ramsar site.
Central Asian Flyway: A major migratory route for which Shekha Jheel acts as a crucial stopover for various bird species.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The primary central ministry responsible for wetland conservation and overseeing India's ecosystem restoration mission.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Shri Bhupender Yadav announces Shekha Jheel
Bird Sanctuary as India’s 99th Ramsar site; Uttar
Pradesh’s tally rises to 12
Posted On: 22 APR 2026 10:01AM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday
announced the designation of Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, as a Ramsar site,
taking India’s total to 99 and the State’s tally to 12.
“Uttar Pradesh takes the score to 99! Delighted to announce the designation of Shekha Jheel Bird
Sanctuary (Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh) as a Ramsar site”, the Minister informed in a social media post. He
said the announcement brings a boost for local livelihoods and global biodiversity, along with water and
climate security and marks “India's 99th, bringing us closer to a historic century”.
Uttar Pradesh takes the score to 99!
Delighted to announce the designation of Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary (Aligarh,
Uttar Pradesh) as a Ramsar site. This announcement brings a boost for local
livelihoods and global biodiversity, along with water and climate security.
This… pic.twitter.com/hcGI1ZfIv4
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) April 22, 2026
“With PM Shri @narendramodi ji leading India’s ecosystem restoration mission, our commitment towards
conservation of wetlands and natural habitat of animals, particularly that of birds, has yet again received a
thumbs up from the global community,” the Minister added.
Highlighting the ecological importance of the site, Shri Yadav said Shekha Jheel acts as a crucial stopover
on the Central Asian Flyway, providing a vital habitat for migratory birds such as the Bar-headed Goose,
Painted Stork and various ducks during the winter season. The Minister also encouraged people to visit the
site.
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VM/GS
(Release ID: 2254357) Visitor Counter : 2098
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