The Uttarakhand state is soon to get two new tiger reserves.
The Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary across India and Nepal and Surai Range in Terai are the two proposed tiger reserves.
Presently, the state has two tiger reserves – the Corbett tiger reserve and the Rajaji tiger reserve.
With the addition, Uttarakhand would become the first state in North India to get four tiger reserves.
Uttarakhand state has the second highest tiger population in the country after Karnataka.
Corbett tiger reserve is also the oldest national park in India and it was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative.
To get the tiger reserve status to a national park, the state government has to send a proposal to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). After NTCA has given its final approval, the State Govt can notify the tiger reserve based on NTCA recommendation.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body created under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for strengthening tiger conservation.
Ropar Wetland
Recent Asian Waterbird census revealed that only fewer winter migratory water birds from central and north Asia were sighted at the Ropar Wetland.
Asian Waterbird census is part of International Waterbird census of Wetlands International, South Asia.
Ropar in Punjab is a riverine wetland and it has been designated as Wetlands of International Importance i.e Ramsar Site.
The Convention on Wetlands was created after an intergovernmental treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran in the year 1971 for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
The convention entered into force in India on 1 February 1982 and India currently has 26 Ramsar sites.
The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
The record is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
Indian Ocean Rim Association
IORA was established in 1995 with the objective to bring Economic Cooperation among of the countries of Indian Ocean region, with the Coordinating Secretariat of IORA is located at Mauritius.
IORA has no binding contracts or rigid institutional structures.
IORA has 21 member states, including Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, UAE, and Yemen.
For the first time, leaders of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) met in Jakarta, Indonesia, for a summit.
Jakarta Concord – It is a strategic vision document signed during the meeting for a revitalized and sustainable regional architecture.
The Meeting drew attention to issues in the greater Indian Ocean region, including maritime security, fisheries management, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, people-to-people exchanges, trade and investment, and tourism.
