India, Dec. 12 -- Chhattisgarh's Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur district has been designated a Ramsar site by the Union government, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Friday, calling it "a moment of immense pride" as the state's first such wetland.

He said the global recognition reflects the state's rich biodiversity, diverse bird habitats, and sustained water-conservation efforts.

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.

The Chhattisgarh government had submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking Ramsar site status for the Kopra Reservoir last month.

On the direction of State Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap, the government has tak...