The correct answer is All 1, 2, and 3 In News • On World Environment Day (June 5, 2026), India designated the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, as its 100th Ramsar site. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • Statement 1 is correct: With the designation of Surha Tal as the 100th site, India now has the highest number of Ramsar wetlands in Asia and the third highest in the world, trailing only the UK and Mexico. • Statement 2 is correct: The sanctuary is a freshwater wetland located in the middle stretch of the Ganga River basin. It was originally formed from a meander of the Ganga and receives inflow through three channels. • Statement 3 is correct: Globally, this site is recorded as the world’s 2,595th Ramsar site under the 1971 Ramsar Convention. Related Concepts: • The number of Indian Ramsar sites has increased from 26 to 100 in the last 11 years, with 58 sites added in the last four years alone. • The site supports significant biodiversity, including 221 plant species, 66 fish species, and vulnerable species such as the common pochard, Indian river tern, and the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus). • The Ramsar Convention was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar to provide a framework for the conservation of wetlands. Important Notes: • The site serves as a crucial refuge for waterbirds during summer when smaller regional wetlands dry out. • Notable vulnerable fish species found here include Wallago attu and Bagarius bagarius. • The global ranking for Ramsar sites places the UK (176) first and Mexico (144) second.