In a significant move, the forest department’s Solapur division is set to propose the inclusion of Ujani reservoir as a Ramsar site after a two-year collaborative study with the Wildlife Research and Conservation Society (WRCS). The study focuses on mapping biodiversity and identifying threats to the wetland, aiming to secure a prestigious Ramsar site status.
The first-of-its-kind survey in the region will conduct a waterbird census from 7-11 am on March 3 at 16 mapped locations. Conducted as a citizen science initiative, the census involves over 100 registered volunteers from the state.
The study, initiated in November 2023, aims to document the biodiversity of birds migrating to the wetland during the winter months (Nov to Feb). Simultaneously, it assesses pollution levels by testing the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of the water.
Management Plan and Ramsar Criteria Mapping: Jayant Kulkarni, director of WRCS, highlighted, “Based on results, we will draft a management plan for the forest department with necessary actions to mitigate threats.” The researchers will also map criteria required for the wetland to qualify as a Ramsar site, including housing vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered species, or threatened ecological communities.
The Ujani reservoir is known to host over 300 species of waterbirds regularly, making it a critical habitat in need of conservation efforts.
The forest department has allocated approximately Rs80 lakh for the comprehensive exercise. Dhairyasheel Patil, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Solapur division), stated, “We have sanctioned the society to give us a management plan in around one-and-a-half years from now, after which we will send it ahead to the irrigation department and others.”
