Glaw Lake: India’s 101st Ramsar Site and Arunachal Pradesh’s First Recognised Wetland

The news

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on 3 August 2026 that Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh has been designated India’s 101st Ramsar site, making it the state’s first wetland to receive international recognition under the Ramsar Convention. The lake lies within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary and is described by the government as a pristine freshwater lake in the Eastern Himalayas.

According to the Press Information Bureau, more than 150 tree species and 49 orchid species have been recorded within the wetland and its catchment. Environmentalist Jasmit Singh Arora said the lake’s ecological significance lies in its relatively undisturbed freshwater ecosystem, fed by perennial mountain streams. The Union environment ministry has said the designation is significant for biodiversity conservation, water and climate security, and sustainable livelihoods of local communities.

When was the Ramsar Convention adopted and how many Indian sites were there before Glaw Lake?

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, known as the Ramsar Convention, was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar on 2 February 1971 and came into force in 1975. India became a contracting party to the convention on 1 February 1982. Before the designation of Glaw Lake, India had 100 Ramsar sites, with the first two being Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, both designated on 1 October 1981. The convention requires each contracting party to designate at least one wetland for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance and to promote its conservation and wise use. The National Wetland Conservation Programme was started by the Government of India in 1985-86, and the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules were notified in 2017 to strengthen the regulatory framework for wetlands.

What is the Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Designation under the convention identifies a wetland as being of international importance but does not by itself impose statutory protection; long-term benefits depend on effective monitoring, pollution prevention and responsible management of the wetland and its catchment.

What does the designation achieve and what remains?

The designation brings global attention to Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar site and strengthens the focus on maintaining the wetland’s ecological character. However, environmentalist Jasmit Singh Arora noted that Ramsar recognition should not be seen as merely a label; conservation outcomes require strict environmental protection to prevent pollution and habitat loss, as well as responsible management of the surrounding catchment and vegetation.