Sauj Jheel, at a glance
Six facts that answer most exam questions
Announced
15 October 2026, by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
Where
Mainpuri district, Uttar Pradesh.
India’s tally
103 Ramsar sites after this announcement.
Added with it
Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh.
Neighbour
Saman Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar site since 2019.
Bird status
An Important Bird Area in the Saman Wetland Complex.
What happened on 15 October?
Two wetlands became Ramsar sites. They are Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh. Together they took India’s Ramsar tally to 103.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced this in a post on X. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the news through the Press Information Bureau (PIB) the same day (PIB).
The Minister made three points:
- The additions reaffirm India’s efforts to conserve its wetlands.
- Wetlands give ecological, climatic and livelihood benefits.
- He invited travellers to visit Sukhna and Sauj (ThePrint).
Remember this: 15 October 2026 = Sukhna (Chandigarh) + Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) = total 103.
Q1. True or False: The announcement of Sauj Jheel as a Ramsar site was made by the Prime Minister.
Where is Sauj Jheel?
Sauj Jheel is in Mainpuri district, Uttar Pradesh (Xinhua). The PIB release names only the state. The district comes from other reports.
The lake lies beside the Karhal-Kishni main road, just before the Saman Bird Sanctuary. It is a shallow depression in the land (Key Biodiversity Areas).
It is also an Important Bird Area. The label marks places that are vital to birds.
Q2. True or False: Sauj Jheel lies in Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh.
Is Sauj linked to Saman?
Sauj is a small partner of a bigger system. It is one of the satellite wetlands of the Saman Wetland Complex. A satellite wetland is a smaller water body near a main one. The other satellites are Sarsai Nawar, Kurra Jheel and Kuddaiyya marshland (Journal of Threatened Taxa).
Two different Ramsar sites
Sauj and Saman are neighbours. But they are separate Ramsar sites. Saman Bird Sanctuary was listed on 2 December 2019. Sauj was announced in 2026.
Saman is also in Mainpuri district. Its official area is 526.3 hectares (National Wetlands portal).
A home for the Sarus Crane
The Saman Wetland Complex, which includes Sauj, is an ideal habitat for the Sarus Crane. This bird is the world’s tallest flying bird.
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| Site | District | Ramsar listing |
|---|---|---|
| Sauj Jheel | Mainpuri | Announced 15 Oct 2026 |
| Saman Bird Sanctuary | Mainpuri | 2 Dec 2019 |
| Sarsai Nawar Jheel | Etawah | 19 Sep 2019 |
Clear a common mix-up: Sauj being part of the Saman complex does not make it the same site. Each has its own Ramsar listing.
Q3. True or False: Sauj Jheel and Saman Bird Sanctuary are one single Ramsar site.
What is the Ramsar Convention?
The Ramsar Convention is a treaty to protect wetlands. It was signed at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 (PIB). Countries that join list wetlands of international importance. Each listed wetland is a Ramsar site.
The treaty’s core idea is “wise use”. Its mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands. Wise use means people can still benefit from a wetland. But they must not harm it for the future.
India’s first sites
India’s first Ramsar sites were Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park. Both were designated on 1 October 1981.
The Montreux Record
The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites where the ecological character has changed, is changing, or is likely to change. In simple words, it flags sites in trouble. It is not a list of new sites.
Q4. True or False: The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 at Ramsar in Iran.
How did India reach 103?
Count back from the latest announcements.
- Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh was announced as India’s 101st Ramsar site on 3 August 2026 (Arunachal Times).
- No site was added between 3 August and 15 October.
- Two sites came on 15 October: Sukhna and Sauj.
- So 101 + 2 = 103.
Sukhna and Sauj together make the 102nd and 103rd sites. Sources do not give their order.
Other recent Uttar Pradesh additions
Uttar Pradesh has added several wetlands lately.
| Site | District | Announced |
|---|---|---|
| Patna Bird Sanctuary | Etah | 31 Jan 2026 |
| Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary | Aligarh | 22 Apr 2026 (99th site) |
| Sauj Jheel | Mainpuri | 15 Oct 2026 |
Which state has the most Ramsar sites? Tamil Nadu, with 20 (as of August 2026). Neither 15 October site is in Tamil Nadu.
For the full national picture, read our lesson on Ramsar wetlands of India.
Q5. True or False: India’s tally was 101 after Glaw Lake, and the two 15 October 2026 additions made it 103.
Which mistakes do exams invite?
- Trap 1: “Sauj Jheel is in Etawah.” Wrong. Etawah has Sarsai Nawar. Sauj is in Mainpuri.
- Trap 2: “Sauj and Saman are the same site.” Wrong. Saman was listed in 2019. Sauj came in 2026.
- Trap 3: “Sauj is in Aligarh or Etah.” Wrong. Those districts hold Shekha Jheel and Patna Bird Sanctuary.
- Trap 4: “The two new sites on 15 October were both in Uttar Pradesh.” Wrong. Sukhna is in Chandigarh.
- Trap 5: “The Montreux Record lists new Ramsar sites.” Wrong. It lists sites where the ecological character is changing or at risk.
Quick Q&A
Who announced the two new Ramsar sites?
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, on 15 October 2026.
What is India’s Ramsar tally now?
103.
Which bird is the world’s tallest flying bird?
The Sarus Crane.
Which were India’s first Ramsar sites?
Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park, in 1981.
Related reading
MCQ on Sauj Jheel and Ramsar Sites
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