Glow Lake Designated as Arunachal Pradesh’s First Ramsar Site

Glow Lake in Arunachal Pradesh has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) under the Ramsar Convention. With this recognition, it has become the first Ramsar Site in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the total number of Ramsar Sites in India to 101.Glow Lake is a high-altitude freshwater lake known for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance. The Ramsar designation highlights its importance in conserving wetland ecosystems, supporting migratory birds, and protecting diverse plant and animal species.

Glaw Lake

¨     Glaw Lake is a pristine high-altitude freshwater lake located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh.

¨     Situated in the Eastern Himalayan landscape, it is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot and performs important hydrological and ecological functions.

¨     The lake is sacred to the Miju Mishmi (Kman) and Digaru Mishmi (Taraon) communities, whose traditional stewardship and community-led conservation practices have helped preserve its ecological integrity.

¨     The Ramsar designation accords international recognition to Glaw Lake’s ecological significance and recognises decades of successful community-led conservation.

Significance of the Designation

¨     First Ramsar Site of Arunachal Pradesh: Strengthens conservation of ecologically important wetlands in the Eastern Himalayan region.

¨     Recognition of Indigenous Stewardship: Acknowledges the traditional conservation practices of the Idu Mishmi community, highlighting the role of indigenous knowledge in biodiversity conservation.

¨     Boosts Scientific Conservation: Enhances opportunities for ecological monitoring, research, sustainable management and low-impact eco-tourism.

¨     Strengthens India’s Wetland Network: Expands India’s Ramsar network to 101 sites, reinforcing the country’s commitment to wetland conservation and sustainable development.

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. India became a party to the Convention in 1982 and has continuously expanded its network of protected wetlands to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable management.The inclusion of Glow Lake in the Ramsar List is expected to strengthen wetland conservation efforts, enhance ecological research, encourage sustainable tourism, and improve community participation in the protection of this ecologically sensitive ecosystem.