India’s recent announcement of four new Ramsar sites, including Sikkim’s first, the Khecheoparli Wetland, is a commendable step towards wetland conservation. Nestled within the pristine ecosystem of Khanchendzonga National Park, Khecheoparli Lake’s Ramsar designation acknowledges not only its rich biodiversity but also its deep cultural and religious significance. However, this recognition comes with a pressing responsibility: ensuring its survival against increasing anthropogenic pressures.
Khecheoparli Lake, known as the “wishing lake,” is a tranquil and sacred water body revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Its ecological significance is equally profound, forming part of a delicate hydrological balance shaped by glacial action and sustained by surrounding mixed broadleaf forests. However, the very factors that make it a destination for pilgrims and tourists—its serenity, spiritual value, and biodiversity—are also causing its degradation.
Tourism, while a major economic driver, has brought with it unmanaged waste, water pollution, and habitat disturbance. With over 10,000 visitors annually, the wetland is under constant strain from littering and infrastructural expansion. Moreover, while the lake itself enjoys a sacred status, the surrounding watershed does not receive the same reverence. Rampant deforestation for firewood, timber, and fodder collection continues unchecked, disturbing the fragile ecosystem that sustains the lake. Free livestock grazing and agricultural runoff further exacerbate the threat, altering water quality and endangering aquatic life.
The Ramsar designation should serve as a wake-up call rather than a mere badge of honour. Conservation must go beyond symbolic gestures and translate into actionable policies. Strict regulation of tourism, including controlled entry, eco-sensitive infrastructure, and better waste management, is imperative. Additionally, community-driven afforestation efforts, alternative livelihood programs for those dependent on forest resources, and sustainable agricultural practices must be prioritized to curb ecological damage.
The inclusion of Khecheoparli Wetland in the Ramsar list should prompt Sikkim to lead by example in wetland conservation. The state has made remarkable strides in environmental sustainability—this momentum must extend to its sacred natural heritage. Without urgent intervention, the very sanctity and ecological wealth that draw people to Khecheoparli will be lost to unchecked exploitation. It is time for policymakers, conservationists, and local communities to align efforts and uphold the true essence of this Ramsar recognition: preservation, not just celebration.