Arunachal's Glaw Lake Recognized as Global Ramsar Site

Key Facts

• Glaw Lake is located in Arunachal Pradesh.
• It has been designated as a Ramsar Site, signifying global recognition for its ecological importance.
• Glaw Lake is also known as Glaw Tuwi or Glaw Hawai.
• The lake covers an area of 82 hectares.
• It is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,168 meters above sea level.
• Twelve perennial streams feed and replenish the lake throughout the year.
• The surrounding catchment area supports over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species.
• The forests around Glaw Lake are home to various wildlife, including elephants, wild boar, flying squirrels, civets, hoolock gibbons, Bengal slow lorises, and Himalayan palm civets.
• The wider Kamlang region, which includes Glaw, is inhabited by tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, and snow leopards.
• The critically endangered white-bellied heron utilizes Glaw Lake as a habitat and wintering ground.
• More than 20 species of reptiles and amphibians inhabit the lake and its surrounding landscape.
• Reaching Glaw Lake from Wakro takes approximately seven to eight hours, involving a trek through streams, gorges, and mountainous terrain.
• Glaw Lake is Arunachal Pradesh's first Ramsar Site and India's 101st.
• The protection of Glaw Lake is linked to the health of 12 perennial streams, diverse plant species, threatened birds, and the broader Kamlang forests.

Why It Matters

The recognition of Glaw Lake as a Ramsar Site highlights the ecological significance of this remote wetland and its role within a larger river and forest system. The designation mandates international attention and a commitment to safeguarding its biodiversity, including over 150 tree species, 49 orchid species, and a variety of wildlife. The lake also serves as a crucial habitat for the critically endangered white-bellied heron and supports a complex food web involving numerous reptiles and amphibians.

Background

A Ramsar Site is a designation awarded to wetlands globally that are recognized for their significant ecological importance. This status promotes international awareness and encourages the protection, wise management, and conservation of these vital ecosystems and the life they sustain. Glaw Lake's designation as India's 101st Ramsar Site and Arunachal Pradesh's first is a notable achievement for the region's environmental conservation efforts.