Rudrasagar Wetland: A Ramsar Site of Tripura
Rudrasagar Lake, located in Melaghar under Sonamura subdivision of Sepahijala district, is one of the most prominent wetlands of Tripura. Recognized as a Ramsar site of international importance, it plays a crucial role in ecological balance, livelihood generation, and tourism promotion in the state. Situated about 52 km from Agartala, the lake is globally famous for housing the majestic Neermahal Palace, constructed by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Debbarma in the 1930s as his summer retreat.
Ecological Significance
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, offering services such as flood control, groundwater recharge, wastewater treatment, and habitat support for flora and fauna. Rudrasagar Lake serves as a natural sedimentation reservoir, receiving inflow from three perennial rivulets—Noacherra, Durlavnarayan-cherra, and Kamtali-cherra—before discharging into the river Gumti via 'New-Karchi' channel. The lake and its catchments receive an average annual rainfall of 2212 mm, primarily during June to September.
Forests and Vegetation in the Catchment
The Rudrasagar catchment, spanning 6,052 hectares, is dominated by tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests. Key species include Tectona grandis (Teak), Shorea robusta (Sal), Gmelina arborea, Artocarpus chaplasha, and Vitex peduncularis. Additionally, the area supports 19 bamboo and 6 cane species, making it highly productive compared to the national average. However, most of the forests here are degraded, with only 22% (1,340 ha) officially classified as protected/reserved forests.
Ramsar Site Declaration
Rudrasagar Lake was identified as a Ramsar Site on 8 November 2005 and officially designated as a wetland of international importance on 29 February 2007. The Forest Department of Tripura is the nodal agency for its management and conservation, with community-level support from Rudrasagar Udbastu Matsya Sambay Samity in fishery management.
Biodiversity of Rudrasagar
The lake sustains rich biodiversity with 14 species of aquatic macrophytes, including economically important plants like Trapa and Euryle ferox. It is home to numerous fish species such as Katla, Rohu, Mrigal, Chital, Moka, and Pabda. During winters, Rudrasagar turns into a haven for migratory birds like Lesser Whistling Ducks, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Asian Openbill, Little Cormorant, and Kingfishers. Annual bird censuses conducted by the Forest Department highlight the site’s significance for avifaunal conservation.
Challenges and Issues
The lake faces critical threats such as siltation, soil erosion from degraded catchments, and agricultural encroachment, leading to reduced water-holding capacity and declining fish diversity. Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in the surrounding fields further aggravates ecological degradation.
Conservation and Management
The Wetland Authority of Tripura, under the Forest Department, has prepared an Integrated Master Plan for the restoration and sustainable management of Rudrasagar. Key activities include afforestation of catchment areas, desiltation, removal of invasive water hyacinth, riparian plantations, gully control, and community-based eco-tourism promotion. Special attention is being given to alternate livelihood generation for local fishermen, including provision of motorboats.
Tourism and Cultural Value
Rudrasagar is renowned for Neermahal, the only water palace in Eastern India, which draws thousands of tourists annually. The lake is also an ideal location for boating, water sports, and the famous annual boat festival. This unique blend of natural beauty, heritage, and biodiversity makes Rudrasagar a flagship site for eco-tourism in Tripura.
Conclusion
Rudrasagar Wetland, with its ecological, cultural, and economic importance, stands as a symbol of Tripura’s commitment to sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Strengthening conservation efforts while balancing livelihood needs of local communities is key to preserving its pristine character for future generations.