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In big news for Chandigarh folks, the city's Sukhna Wetland has gone global. Last week, the Ramsar Convention added the much-loved water body to its list of Wetlands of International Importance, giving one of the city’s favourite hangouts some well-earned international recognition.
India’s Ramsar tally now stands at 103, following the addition of Sukhna, and Uttar Pradesh’s Sauj Jheel.
But what exactly is this list, and why does it matter? Well, the Ramsar Convention is an international treaty dedicated to the conservation of wetlands, and its list recognises water bodies that are particularly important for biodiversity, wildlife and the environment. Think of it as a global stamp of recognition for wetlands worth protecting.
The Chandigarh Administrator hailed the designation, applauding the people of Chandigarh, conservationists, experts and the Forest and Wildlife Department for their years of work protecting the wetland.
What’s the Sukhna Wetland?
Sukhna Lake – a manmade lake – might be one of Chandigarh’s most recognisable landmarks, but its appeal goes far beyond leisure. Nestled at the foothills of the Outer Himalayas, in Punjab, the wetland spans nearly 565 acres and packs an unsurprisingly rich biodiversity into the urban landscape.
Its mix of open water, shoreline vegetation, scrubland and forest makes it an earnest refuge for wildlife, particularly migratory birds travelling along the Central Asian Flyway. The wetland provides vital feeding, breeding, roosting and wintering grounds for these feathered visitors. Among its notable guests are the vulnerable common pochard and the endangered Pallas’s fish eagle.
And the birds aren’t the only ones calling Sukhna their home. The wetland’s shallow, near-shore habitats also support reptiles, including the endangered black pond turtle.
In other words, Sukhna is far more than a scenic backdrop. It's a vital wildlife refuge hiding in plain sight, right in the middle of the city.
How did the Sukhna Wetland make the Ramsar list?
First, a little environmental history. The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for conserving wetlands and promoting their wise use. India became a party to the convention in February, 1982.
To be listed, a wetland must meet at least one of the convention’s nine criteria, which recognise everything from rare ecosystems and threatened species to habitats essential for wildlife survival.
Sukhna’s designation followed a process involving both Indian and international authorities. The proposal was cleared by the UT State Wetland Authority in September 2025 before receiving approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and an endorsement from the Ministry of External Affairs. It was then forwarded for international consideration.
The Ramsar tag puts Sukhna on the international conservation radar, but keeping it there in good ecological health is the real task. The status places renewed emphasis on protecting the wetland’s catchment area, maintaining water quality, safeguarding wildlife habitats and ensuring recreational activities don’t come at the expense of its ecological health. And, two challenges remain firmly on the radar: sediment flowing into the wetland from its catchment and the spread of invasive species.
So, while Sukhna has earned its place on the global conservation list, the real work awaits on the ground. The goal? Making sure this Chandigarh landmark remains a thriving wildlife refuge for years to come.