Shekha Jheel: India’s 99th Ramsar Site Explained

Shekha Jheel is a freshwater lake located approximately 17 kilometres from Aligarh city in western Uttar Pradesh. The sanctuary covers about 25 hectares (~62 acres) — a compact but ecologically dense urban wetland managed by the Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh.

The lake’s origin is tied to British-era engineering. The Upper Ganga Canal, constructed in 1852 and flowing from Hapur to Narora in Uttar Pradesh, created the hydrological conditions from which Shekha Jheel formed. This historical water linkage remains critical to the wetland’s perennial character.

In terms of biodiversity, Shekha Jheel has recorded 249 bird species in its vicinity, of which 62 are specifically dependent on the wetland for habitat. Beyond avifauna, the lake supports blue bulls (nilgai), blackbuck, five-striped squirrels, and Indian mongoose. The wetland also hosts freshwater fish diversity including species of the Channa genus.

Shekha Jheel functions as a key stopover on the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) — one of the world’s most critical migratory bird routes, stretching across Russia, Siberia, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and further south. The flyway supports hundreds of millions of migratory waterbirds from over 280 species.

Notable migratory species at Shekha Jheel include:

• Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) — renowned for crossing the Himalayas at altitudes exceeding 7,000 metres, one of the highest-altitude migrations of any bird species on Earth.
• Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) — a large, striking wading bird and indicator species for wetland health.
• Numerous species of ducks and Siberian cranes, which visit the site during winter.

Conservation surveys at the site date back to at least 1995, when it was included in the Important Bird Areas (IBA) assessment conducted by researchers from Aligarh Muslim University’s Wildlife Sciences Department, which has played an ongoing role in ecological monitoring.

The Ramsar Convention — formally the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat — was adopted on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. India joined the Convention in 1982, though its first two sites — Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan) — were designated in 1981. The Convention currently has 173 member countries.

To be listed, a wetland must meet one or more of nine criteria, which include regularly supporting at least 20,000 waterbirds, serving as a habitat for globally threatened species, or performing significant hydrological functions such as water purification or flood control.

Ramsar status does not impose legally binding land acquisition restrictions. However, it triggers obligations to maintain the ecological character of the site and integrate conservation with sustainable use. Listed sites receive international recognition, are eligible for the Ramsar Small Grants Fund, and attract greater scrutiny in environmental impact assessments for nearby development projects.

Despite the designation, Shekha Jheel faces documented environmental pressures. Rapid urbanisation and industrial expansion in Aligarh have caused habitat loss, pollution, encroachment, and hydrological disruptions. The Central Pollution Control Board has flagged the discharge of untreated industrial effluents — including heavy metals and toxic chemicals — into the lake.

A case study by the Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group identified structural threats:

• A tar road built along one side facilitates unauthorised access and poaching.
• Mounds constructed inside the lake by the district administration in 1991 restricted water flow and accelerated siltation, making the wetland shallower.
• Unchecked spread of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has caused eutrophication, reducing open water surface available to birds.
• Weed encroachment, grazing, and illegal tree felling on adjacent lands.

On the positive side, residents of Shekha village have participated in conservation alongside the Forest Department, driven by an understanding that the lake sustains the local water table essential for agriculture.

India’s wetland conservation record under the Ramsar framework reflects a significant policy acceleration in recent years.

The Ramsar designation is expected to enhance Shekha Jheel’s viability as an eco-tourism destination in the Aligarh region. Winter months — when Central Asian Flyway migrants arrive — are likely to draw birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and nature tourists. Such activities generate employment for local communities as guides, hospitality providers, and conservation monitors.

Uttar Pradesh’s accumulation of 12 Ramsar sites — covering a range of ecosystem types from river oxbow lakes to freshwater bird sanctuaries — positions it as a significant wetland tourism corridor. The state’s acknowledgment of Shekha Jheel fits Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s broader emphasis on conservation-linked sustainable development.