Harike Wetland
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Overview
Harike wetland, about 4,100 ha in Firozpur and Tarn Taran districts of Punjab, forms where the Beas joins the Sutlej. It is a Ramsar site.
It was formed by the Harike barrage, built in 1952 at the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej.
The Indira Gandhi Canal starts here and carries water to Rajasthan.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 1990 and hosts many migratory birds in winter.
It is a bird sanctuary.
A small population of the Indus river dolphin survives in the Beas downstream of the wetland.
It is fed by the Beas and Sutlej rivers.
It is the largest wetland in northern India.
Geography and key facts
- Punjab
- Beas–Sutlej confluence
- Ramsar site
- Indira Gandhi Canal starts here
- Ramsar site 1990
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked in wetland pairs (2014).
Note for UPSC
Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].
Ramsar sites come up as wetland–state pairs and in questions on conservation status.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2014 · Q46Consider the following pairs : Wetlands Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Harike Wetland.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Punjab
- Coordinates
- 31.150°N, 74.970°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 2014
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)