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Glaw Lake in Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh, has been designated as India's 101st Ramsar Site under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, becoming the first Ramsar Site in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Glaw Lake

Glaw Lake is a freshwater wetland located in the Eastern Himalayas within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh. It is recognized for its rich biodiversity, ecological significance, and role in conserving high-altitude freshwater ecosystems.

Key Features

• Location: Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Status: First Ramsar Site in Arunachal Pradesh and India's 101st Ramsar Site.
• Type: Freshwater lake.
• Elevation:1,168 metres above sea level.
• Water Source: Fed by perennial mountain streams.

Biodiversity

The lake and its catchment support remarkable floral and faunal diversity:

• More than 150 tree species.
• 49 orchid species.
• Habitat for several high-altitude species, including:
  • White-bellied Heron(Endangered)
  • Clouded Leopard

Its location within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve further enhances its ecological importance.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the global framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Key Facts

• Adopted: 1971
• Place: Ramsar, Iran
• Came into Force: 1975
• Significance: First global environmental treaty dedicated exclusively to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Three Pillars of the Convention

• Conservation of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites).
• Promotion of the wise use of all wetlands.
• International cooperation on shared wetlands, river basins, and migratory species.