[2] On 2 February 2016, it was declared as Ramsar site, covering 261.1 km2 (100.8 sq mi) including the surrounding catchment area.

Some other threatened and important plant species found here are Apostasia wallichii and Michelia champaca, Asparagus racemosus, Bulbophyllum plyrhiza, Cymbidium iridioides, Dendrobium densiflorum, D. fimbiatum and Alsophila spinulosa, Dioscorea deltoidea, Oberonia nepalensis, Oberonia iridifolia, Oroxylum indicum and Papilionantheteres species Tinospora cordifolia and monogeneric species like Ceratophyllum demersum, Trapa natans and Typha angustifolia.

Some of the important birds found here are Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nepalensis), Nepal Wren Babbler (Pnoepyga immaculate), Comb duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos), Baer's Pochard (Aythya baeri), Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca).

The lakes provide irrigation, wetland resource, fishing, religious sites and tourism opportunity.

The encroachment for agriculture, excessive fishing, eutrophication, live stock grazing and infrastructure developments have become a threat to the lakes.

The invasive weeds are Parthenium hysterophorus, Mikania micrantha, Pontederia crassipes, Leersia hexandra, and Pistia stratiotes.