05 June,2026 06:57 PM IST | Ballia | PTI
Image for representational purposes only. Image courtesy: File Pic
The designation of the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, popularly known as Surha Tal, as India's 100th Ramsar site has brought the vast natural oxbow lake in the Ballia district into international spotlight, officials said on Friday.
Located near Basantpur village, around 17 kilometres from the district headquarters, Surha Tal was declared a bird sanctuary by the Uttar Pradesh government in 1991.
Ballia Chief Development Officer Ojashwi Raj told PTI that the recognition of Surha Tal as a wetland of international importance was a matter of pride not only for the state but for the entire country.
"This achievement will prove to be a milestone in promoting eco-tourism and pave the way for the overall development of Ballia," he said.
District Forest Officer (DFO) Prithvi Raj said the state government and the forest department had been making dedicated efforts for the conservation, management and sustainable development of Surha Tal.
The Ramsar Convention, established in 1971 in Iran's Ramsar city, aims for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Inclusion in the list gives global recognition to the ecological importance of a wetland and opens opportunities for scientific, technical and financial support for its conservation, he said.
The DFO said Surha Tal, situated near the Ganga river, is an important natural wetland providing habitat to a variety of water birds, fish and other aquatic biodiversity. It is also a significant stopover for migratory birds.
"The wetland ecosystem plays an important role in maintaining local water balance, groundwater recharge and climate balance," he said.
The recognition is expected to boost eco-tourism activities in the region, generate local employment opportunities, increase availability of resources for wetland conservation and encourage biodiversity conservation and scientific research, he added.
The officer said Surha Tal is part of the Central Asian Flyway, through which migratory birds travel from Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent, making it a crucial stopover point.
According to official data, the wildlife sanctuary and natural rain-fed lake are spread over nearly 2,549 to 3,432 hectares, with the area expanding to around 42 square kilometres during the monsoon.
The oxbow lake, located in the Ganga and Saryu river basin, was formed by the Ganga river and has rich aquatic biodiversity.
Studies have recorded around 37 species of aquatic animals, fish and insects inhabiting the lake, officials said.
During winters, thousands of migratory birds from Siberia and other cold regions arrive at Surha Tal.
Species, including sarus cranes, cormorants and different varieties of ducks, are commonly sighted, making it an important destination for nature lovers and bird watchers
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