Compendium on Phytodiversity of Ramsar Sites in India: Vol. II

Vol. II: Semiarid & Arid Region: 37. Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan. 38. Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan. 39. Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat. 40. Nalsarovar, Gujarat. 41. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat. 42. Wadhvana Wetland, Gujarat. Peninsular India Including Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Coastal Regions: 43. Bhoj Wetland, Madhya Pradesh. 44. Sakhya Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. 45. Sirpur Wetland, Madhya Pradesh. 46. Yashwant Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. 47. Ansupa Lake, Odisha. 48. Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Odisha. 49. Chilika Lake, Odisha. 50. Hirakud Reservoir, Odisha. 51. Satkosia Gorge, Odisha. 52. Tampara Lake, Odisha. 53. Lonar Lake, Maharashtra. 54. Nandur Madhameshwar, Maharashtra. 55. Thane Creek, Maharashtra. 56. Nanda Lake, Goa. 57. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka. 58. Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh. 59. Ashtamudi Wetland, Kerala. 60. Sasthamkota Lake, Kerala. 61. Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Kerala. 62. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 63. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu. 64. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 65. Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 66. Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 67. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu. 68. Pichavaram Mangrove, Tamil Nadu. 69. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 70. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Tamil Nadu. 71. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 72. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 73. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 74. Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. 75. Vembannur Wetland Complex, Tamil Nadu. Wetlands are important for providing ecological balance and economic services to the mankind. They control the hydrological cycle of local environment and provide various ecosystem services tot the local inhabitants. The wetlands of international importance are designated as Ramsar Sites. In India, 75 wetlands are designated as Ramsar Sites covering 0.4% of country s geographical area. These 75 Ramsar sites are from various phytogeographic regions from the high altitude Himalayan Mountains to the Gangetic Palins and Peninsular India. They are either manmade or natural wetlands and support wide array of flora and fauna in and around the water bodies. The books Compendium on Phytodiversity of Ramsar Sites in India in two volumes contains the result of rapid floristic assessment conducted by Botanical Survey of India in these 75 Ramsar Sites. A staggering 4126 species of plants were documented in two volumes with more than 3226 taxa of flowering plants alone. Photographs of important species are included which would help in identification of species. These enormous plant diversity also includes many economically important and medicinally important species along with some threatened and endemic species. Conservation of these floristic elements is the key to the sustainable management of these vulnerable ecosystems.…