Two wetlands from Bihar Gokul Jalashaya in Buxar and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran have received the Ramsar tag:
Gokul Jalashaya is located in Buxar, Bihar. It is an oxbow lake located on the southern edge of the Ganga. The flood pulses of the Ganges influence land use and land cover in the wetland, exposing marshes and agricultural areas during the dry months and increasing inundation after monsoons. It acts as a buffer for nearby villages during flooding events. Udaipur Jheel is located in West Champaran, Bihar. It is also an oxbow lake, bordered to the north and west by the dense forest of Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary. Over 280 plant species are found in the wetland, including Alysicarpus roxburghianus, a perennial herb endemic to India. The wetland is an important wintering ground for around 35 migratory bird species, including the vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina).The wetland faces threats from illegal fishing and intensive agriculture, particularly the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
