Gogabeel Lake in Bihar Declared as India’s Newest Ramsar Site (2025)

Gogabeel Lake in Bihar has been declared as India’s newest Ramsar Site in 2025. This recognition gives the lake global importance as a wetland of international significance. It helps in protecting biodiversity and promoting wetland conservation under the Ramsar Convention.

Gogabeel Lake in Bihar Declared as India’s Newest Ramsar Site (2025)

1. Location and Geography:

• Gogabeel Lake is located in Katihar district, Bihar.
• It lies in the Trans-Gangetic plains.
• The lake is an ox-bow lake, which means it was formed naturally by the bending of rivers.
• It is surrounded by two important rivers —
  👉 River Mahananda (North-East)
  👉 River Ganga (South)
• It was first declared as Bihar’s Community Reserve, showing local people’s participation in protecting it.
• This location acts as an ecological and hydrological buffer zone, which helps balance water and soil systems.

2. Ecological Importance:

• The region has tropical dry deciduous forests, which help maintain soil fertility and plant diversity.
• The lake is a winter home for migratory birds, making it an important stop in bird migration routes.
• It supports many species of conservation importance like:
  • 🦦 Smooth Coated Otter (Vulnerable)
  • 🐟 Helicopter Catfish (Wallago attu) – a threatened freshwater species.
• Because of these, Gogabeel is known as an international biodiversity hotspot.

3. Cultural and Social Importance:

• The lake is also culturally important for local people.
• Festivals such as Sirva, Adra, and Chhath are celebrated around the lake.
• These rituals reflect a strong spiritual bond between people and nature, promoting the Ramsar idea of “wise use”, which means using natural resources sustainably without harming the environment.

4. Ramsar Convention (Quick Revision):

• Signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
• Main aim: Conserve and use wetlands wisely.
• Focus areas:
  • Protect wetland ecosystems
  • Promote international cooperation
  • Support biodiversity, water security, and climate balance
• India is a signatory of the convention.
• Now India has 80+ Ramsar Sites, with Gogabeel Lake being the latest (2025).

Key Points at a Glance

Question & Answer

Q1. Gogabeel Lake, recently declared a Ramsar site, is located in which state?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Assam
(d) West Bengal
Answer: Bihar
Explanation: Gogabeel Lake is situated in the Katihar district of Bihar and has been recognized as a Ramsar site in 2025.

Q2. What type of lake is Gogabeel?
(a) Crater lake
(b) Saltwater lake
(c) Ox-bow lake
(d) Glacial lake
Answer: Ox-bow lake
Explanation: Gogabeel Lake was formed naturally due to the meandering of rivers, making it an ox-bow lake.

Q3. Which two rivers are located near Gogabeel Lake?
(a) Yamuna and Ganga
(b) Ganga and Mahananda
(c) Gandak and Kosi
(d) Teesta and Brahmaputra
Answer: Ganga and Mahananda
Explanation: Gogabeel Lake is flanked by the Ganga River in the south and the Mahananda River in the north-east.

Q4. Gogabeel Lake was first declared as which of the following?
(a) National Park
(b) Bird Sanctuary
(c) Community Reserve
(d) Tiger Reserve
Answer: Community Reserve
Explanation: Gogabeel Lake was Bihar’s first Community Reserve, highlighting local participation in conservation.

Q5. The Ramsar Convention was signed in which year and country?
(a) 1971, Iran
(b) 1980, India
(c) 1965, Japan
(d) 1975, France
Answer: 1971, Iran
Explanation: The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, focusing on global wetland conservation.

Q6. Which of the following species found in Gogabeel Lake is listed as Vulnerable?
(a) Gangetic Dolphin
(b) Smooth Coated Otter
(c) Indian Rhino
(d) Golden Mahseer
Answer: Smooth Coated Otter
Explanation: The Smooth Coated Otter, found in Gogabeel Lake, is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

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