On 3 August 2026, Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh was added to the list of Ramsar sites, becoming India's 101st wetland of international importance and the first-ever Ramsar site for the state. The lake lies within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalayas. In this article we break down what this means, why the wetland matters ecologically, and the key facts you should remember for competitive exams.

📍 Where is Glaw Lake?

  • ➤ Glaw Lake is situated in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, in the Eastern Himalayan region.
  • ➤ It falls inside the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, an area already known for its rich flora and fauna.
  • ➤ It is a high-altitude freshwater lake that stays filled throughout the year, as it is fed by perennial mountain streams.

🌿 Why This Wetland is Ecologically Important

  • ➤ The lake and its surrounding catchment support an impressive variety of life — over 150 tree species and around 49 species of orchids.
  • ➤ It is regarded as a biodiversity hotspot of the Eastern Himalayas, a region famous for its unique mountain and forest ecosystems spread across India, Nepal, Bhutan and China.
  • ➤ Orchids growing here act as indicator species, meaning their health reflects the overall quality of the mountain habitat.

🌍 What is the Ramsar Convention?

  • ➤ The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the protection of wetlands, adopted in the year 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran.
  • ➤ It covers wetlands of global significance such as lakes, marshes, peatlands, mangroves and even man-made water bodies.
  • ➤ India became a member in 1982. Since then the number of Indian Ramsar sites has grown sharply — from just 26 in 2014 to 101 by August 2026.
  • ➤ States such as Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab currently have some of the highest numbers of Ramsar wetlands in the country.

💧 Why Wetlands Matter

  • ➤ Wetlands are areas where water covers the land either all the time or for part of the year. They quietly perform many jobs — recharging groundwater, controlling floods, supporting fish breeding, and providing a home for birds and aquatic creatures. Protecting them helps both nature and people.

📌 Key Facts for Exams

  • ✔️ India's 101st Ramsar site: Glaw Lake (designated 3 August 2026).
  • ✔️ Arunachal Pradesh's first Ramsar site: Glaw Lake.
  • ✔️ Location: Lohit district, inside Kamlang Tiger Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • ✔️ Ramsar Convention: adopted 1971 at Ramsar, Iran; India joined in 1982.
  • ✔️ Growth: India's Ramsar sites rose from 26 (2014) to 101 (2026).

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