{"id":12962,"date":"2026-05-27T11:48:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T06:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/?p=12962"},"modified":"2026-05-27T11:48:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T06:18:50","slug":"kopra-reservoir-biodiversity-hotspot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/kopra-reservoir-biodiversity-hotspot\/","title":{"rendered":"Chhattisgarh\u2019s Kopra Reservoir Shines as New Biodiversity Hotspot"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur district is now a significant bird species site and a biodiversity hotspot in Chhattisgarh, as it was accorded the status of an International Wetland of significance for birds under the Ramsar endorsement. The reservoir serves as a stopover site for migratory birds, supports breeding fish species, and provides irrigation and local livelihoods. This Ramsar tag emphasises its ecological value and reflects the theme of International Day for Biological Diversity 2026: \u201cLocal Action, Global Impact\u201d. The wetland is now recognised as a symbol of India&#8217;s conservation and climate resilience and sustainable development efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Importance of Kopra Reservoir as a Biodiversity Hotspot<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kopra Reservoir is the first Ramsar site in Chhattisgarh since the state acquired the status of RAMSAR site in December 2025, and is located in Bilaspur district.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ramsar Sites are areas of wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention as of international importance for their wetland values.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s a significant site for migratory and local birds such as river tern, common pochard and Egyptian vulture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Highly productive in terms of fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and aquatic plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The wetland irrigates and supplies drinking water to villages in the vicinity and agriculture in the area.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was constructed as an artificial irrigation project but has developed into a self-maintained wetland community.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The government of Chhattisgarh took up more serious afforestation and conserving wetlands activities following the recognition as a RAMSAR site.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Banning fishing in the reservoir to preserve the ecological and migratory bird habitats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Overall, the site symbolises India&#8217;s priorities and objectives for biodiversity conservation and resilience in the face of climate change.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is hoped that Ramsar recognition will lead to sustainable use of wetlands, scientific research and eco-tourism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The reservoir is an expression of the increasing role of wetlands in environmental governance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India&#8217;s inventory of RAMSAR sites is still growing in order to enhance the conservation of wetlands and ecological sustainability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PYQs on Ramsar Sites<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Exam Name<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Question<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Options<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Answer<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2025<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Ramsar Convention is related to the conservation of which of the following?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. Forests B. Wetlands C. Grasslands D. Coral Reefs<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">B. Wetlands<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SSC CGL<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2024<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the following is the first Ramsar Site in India?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. Chilika Lake B. Keoladeo National Park C. Wular Lake D. Loktak Lake<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. Chilika Lake<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Railway NTPC<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2023<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ramsar Convention was signed in which country?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. India B. Switzerland C. Iran D. France<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">C. Iran<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SSC CHSL<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2024<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which Indian state has the largest number of Ramsar Sites?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. Gujarat B. Tamil Nadu C. Uttar Pradesh D. Rajasthan<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">B. Tamil Nadu<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC CDS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2023<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which among the following is a Ramsar Site?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. Sundarbans B. Gir National Park C. Kaziranga D. Jim Corbett<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. Sundarbans<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SSC GD<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2024<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">World Wetlands Day is observed on:<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. 5 June B. 22 April C. 2 February D. 21 March<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">C. 2 February<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">State PCS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2025<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Loktak Lake, a Ramsar Site, is located in which state?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. Assam B. Meghalaya C. Manipur D. Tripura<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">C. Manipur<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SSC MTS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2023<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keoladeo National Park, a Ramsar Site, is located in:<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. Gujarat B. Rajasthan C. Madhya Pradesh D. Odisha<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">B. Rajasthan<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2022<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which organization maintains the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. UNESCO B. UNEP C. Ramsar Secretariat D. IUCN<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">C. Ramsar Secretariat<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Railway Group D<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2024<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India joined the Ramsar Convention in which year?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. 1971 B. 1982 C. 1990 D. 2001<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">B. 1982<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/president-murmu-to-confer-padma-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">President Murmu to Confer Padma Awards<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conclusion on Kopra Reservoir<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The success of the conservation of this wetland and protection of biodiversity has certainly made Kopra Reservoir the symbol of conservation efforts in India. Its designation as a Ramsar site underscores the need to ensure the conservation of wetlands for ecological functions, climate change response and living livelihoods. The reservoir is the first Ramsar of the Chhattisgarh State and an example to the world on how local effort can turn the conservation effort into a global drive. It also enhances India&#8217;s international standing in conservation activities of biodiversity and promotes an understanding of the ecological and economic benefits of wetlands.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur district is now a significant bird species site and a biodiversity hotspot in Chhattisgarh, as it was accorded the status of an International Wetland of significance for birds under the Ramsar endorsement. The reservoir serves as a stopover site for migratory birds, supports breeding fish species, and provides irrigation and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12962"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12964,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12962\/revisions\/12964"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}