At a time when Delhi is battling record air pollution and shrinking green spaces, a rare note of environmental optimism has emerged. Neeli Jheel, a striking blue-water lake tucked inside the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, could soon be notified as the capital’s first Ramsar site. The announcement was made on World Wetlands Day 2026, marking a potential milestone for urban wetland conservation in India’s most densely populated city.
The 5.16-hectare wetland is being proposed for recognition under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at protecting wetlands of global ecological importance. If approved, Neeli Jheel would place Delhi on the global wetland conservation map for the first time.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the move reflects a broader effort to revive the city’s disappearing water heritage. Speaking on the occasion, he noted that Delhi once had over 1,000 water bodies, many of which were lost due to encroachment, pollution and neglect. The government, he said, has committed to restoring and protecting remaining wetlands, with a target to revive as many as possible by the end of 2027.
Sirsa emphasised that wetlands are not only ecological assets but are also deeply linked to cultural traditions, climate resilience and water security for future generations.
Also known as Bharadwaj Lake, Neeli Jheel is a 2-kilometre-long, nearly 100-foot-deep man-made lake that emerged from a former mining pit. Over time, the site has naturally regenerated, developing clear blue waters and supporting a growing range of flora and fauna. Located within the protected landscape of the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, the lake has become an important refuge for wildlife in south Delhi.
Authorities are now developing the area as a controlled ecotourism destination, balancing public access with conservation needs.
Ramsar designation recognises wetlands that are vital for biodiversity, climate regulation and ecosystem services such as flood control and water purification. While the tag does not automatically grant legal protection, it commits governments to maintaining the ecological character of the site and promotes long-term conservation planning.
India currently has 98 Ramsar sites as of January 2026, covering more than 13.6 lakh hectares. Tamil Nadu leads with the highest number of sites, while Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park were among the country’s first to be recognised in 1981. If Neeli Jheel secures the tag, it would mark a significant shift in how urban wetlands are valued and protected in Indian cities.
For Delhi, long associated with environmental decline, Neeli Jheel’s possible Ramsar recognition offers a rare and symbolic reminder that ecological recovery is still possible even in the heart of a megacity.