LUCKNOW, Jan. 31 -- Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah, is now the latest Ramsar site in Uttar Pradesh, taking the state's total count to 11, next to Tamil Nadu with 20.

An announcement to this effect was made by Bhupender Yadav, Union minister for environment, forests and climate change, for the addition of two new wetlands to India's Ramsar network, two days before World Wetlands Day.

"It is a matter of pride that UP got another Ramsar site, giving us second position among states in the country," said Arun K Saxena, UP forest minister, on Saturday.

"In Uttar Pradesh 12.42 alakh hectare land area is under wetland which is 5.16% of the total geographical area," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the addition of the Patna Bird S...