Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced on August 3, 2026, the designation of Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh as India's 101st Ramsar Site, marking the state's first such designation. The Minister described this development as an important step for biodiversity conservation, water and climate security, and sustainable livelihoods, highlighting India's remarkable expansion from 26 Ramsar Sites in 2014 to 101 currently under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
Glaw Lake is located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary and represents a pristine freshwater lake in the Eastern Himalayas that serves as a biodiversity hotspot. The lake is fed by perennial mountain streams and surrounded by lush vegetation, supporting rich floral diversity with over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species recorded within the site and its catchment area. The designation reinforces India's commitment to environmental protection and conserving vital wetland ecosystems while safeguarding the interests of communities dependent on these ecosystems.