Ramsar site
Kanwar Lake
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Overview
Kanwar Lake, or Kabartal, is a large freshwater wetland in Begusarai district of Bihar, formed in a meander scar of the Gandak.
It is one of the biggest oxbow lakes in Asia and an important stop for birds on the Central Asian Flyway.
It became Bihar's first Ramsar site in 2020. Silting and conversion to farmland have shrunk its area.
Geography and key facts
- Begusarai district, Bihar
- Large oxbow / meander-scar wetland
- Bihar's first Ramsar site (2020)
- Central Asian Flyway stopover
Why it matters for UPSC
Prelims (2023) asked about it. Remember Kabartal as Bihar's first Ramsar site.
Note for UPSC
Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), Bihar.
Ramsar sites come up as wetland–state pairs and in questions on conservation status.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2023 · Q1Consider the following statements : How many of the statements given above are correct?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Kanwar Lake.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Bihar
- Coordinates
- 25.610°N, 86.140°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 2023
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)