Glaw lake becomes India's 101st Ramsar Site; Arunachal Pradesh gets first

India has added another wetland of international importance to its conservation map, with Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh being designated as the country's 101st Ramsar Site. The recognition also marks a first for Arunachal Pradesh, which has now joined the list of states with a Ramsar-designated wetland.WHAT IS GLAW LAKE?Glaw Lake is a pristine freshwater lake located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, the lake is fed by perennial mountain streams and is surrounded by dense forests, making it an ecologically rich landscape.The wetland and its catchment area are home to more than 150 tree species and 49 orchid species, highlighting its importance as a biodiversity hotspot.WHAT DOES RAMSAR STATUS MEAN?A Ramsar Site is a wetland recognised as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty adopted in 1971 to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. The designation recognises wetlands that play a vital role in conserving biodiversity, maintaining water resources, regulating climate and supporting the livelihoods of communities that depend on these ecosystems.WHY IS THIS DESIGNATION IMPORTANT?The inclusion of Glaw Lake has taken India's total number of Ramsar Sites to 101, making it the latest addition to the country's growing network of internationally recognised wetlands. For Arunachal Pradesh, the designation is significant as it is the state's first Ramsar Site, bringing global recognition to one of the Eastern Himalayas' ecologically important freshwater ecosystems.INDIA'S GROWING RAMSAR NETWORKIndia has significantly expanded its Ramsar network over the past decade. From 26 Ramsar Sites in 2014, the country now has 101 internationally recognised wetlands, reflecting a continued focus on wetland conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable management.The addition of Glaw Lake further strengthens India's efforts to protect ecologically sensitive wetlands while promoting long-term environmental sustainability and supporting communities that rely on these natural ecosystems.- EndsPublished By: Chaitanya DhawanPublished On: Aug 4, 2026 09:42 IST