India, June 6 -- The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district has been designated as India's 100th Ramsar site, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday. Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an environmental treaty established in 1971.

In a post on social media, Modi said, "A century as far as Ramsar sites are concerned! Glad that the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh has been designated as India's 100th Ramsar site. This wetland is rich in avifaunal biodiversity, attracting several migratory and resident birds."

The prime minister also stated that India's unwavering commitment to protecting its natural surroundings a...