Ramsar Sites in India: A Complete Guide to Wetland Conservation

Wetlands rank among the planet’s most productive ecosystems, performing irreplaceable ecological functions, from water purification to flood regulation. Under the Ramsar Convention of 1971, wetlands of “international importance” are designated as Ramsar sites in India, signaling a nation’s commitment to their protection. These Ramsar sites in India span diverse landscapes: Himalayan lakes, riverine floodplains, coastal mangroves, and man‑made reservoirs.

As of 2025, India boasts 91 Ramsar sites in India, covering roughly 1.4 million hectares, approximately 4.7 percent of the country’s land area. This network safeguards critical habitats for migratory birds on major flyways, endemic fish species in freshwater lakes, and unique plant communities in salt marshes. Beyond biodiversity, Ramsar sites in India provide socioeconomic benefits: they recharge aquifers, buffer floods, sequester carbon, and sustain fisheries and agriculture for millions.

For UPSC/SSC aspirants and history enthusiasts, understanding Ramsar sites in India means appreciating India’s ecological heritage and governance. The Ramsar Convention, the first global treaty on wetland conservation, sets nine rigorous criteria for designation, ensuring only the most vital and vulnerable wetlands receive this international stamp of importance. By exploring Ramsar sites in India, we uncover the intersections of science, policy, culture, and livelihoods that define India’s approach to sustainable development.

Definition of Ramsar Sites

• Ramsar sites in India are wetlands recognized under the Ramsar Convention (1971) as “international importance.”

• Aim to promote the “wise use” (sustainable management) of wetlands in India via national legislation and international cooperation.

Importance of the Ramsar Convention (1971)

Global Treaty: First intergovernmental treaty on conservation of natural resources.

• Scope: Encourages parties to identify and designate Ramsar sites in India and worldwide, maintain their ecological character, and plan for their sustainable use.
• Membership: 172 contracting parties; over 2,400 Ramsar sites covering 256 million hectares globally.

Importance of Ramsar Sites for India’s Ecology and Biodiversity

• Biodiversity Hotspots: Ramsar sites in India host over 30 percent of India’s avifauna and numerous fish, amphibians, and plant species.
• Ecosystem Services: Wetlands in India, including the biggest Ramsar site in India (Sundarbans) and the smallest Ramsar sites in India (Renuka Wetland), provide flood regulation, water filtration, climate regulation, and groundwater recharge.
• Livelihoods: Ramsar sites in India support over 6 million people through fisheries, agriculture, and eco‑tourism.

What Are Ramsar Sites?

Definition: According to the Ramsar Convention

• A Ramsar site in India is any wetland formally recognized under the Ramsar Convention (1971) for its outstanding ecological or hydrological value. “Wetlands in India” encompass marshes, swamps, peatlands, floodplains, mangroves, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and even man‑made reservoirs and rice paddies.

Criteria for Wetlands to Be Designated

To qualify, a wetland must meet at least one of nine scientific criteria, such as supporting rare or endangered species, sustaining significant waterbirds (≥1% of a species’ flyway population), or providing critical fish spawning grounds. These criteria ensure that Ramsar sites represent globally important ecological functions.

1. Unique Wetland Type: Representative or rare example of a wetland type within a biogeographic region.
2. Endangered Species: Supports vulnerable or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
3. Waterbird Populations: Supports ≥1% of a species’ flyway population.
4. Fish Spawning/Nursery: An Essential food source for fish and spawning grounds.
5. Biodiversity Value: Supports plant/animal species during critical life stages or adverse conditions.
   (Full criteria list: ramsar.org )

Scale of Wetlands in India

In India, the total wetland area exceeds 7.7 million hectares, but only a fraction, currently 91 sites, hold Ramsar status. These sites are selected through a rigorous nomination process involving ecological surveys, hydrological assessments, socio‑economic studies, and a Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) formulation. Once the Ramsar Secretariat approves, the site joins an international network dedicated to the “wise use” and conservation of wetlands.
By designating Ramsar sites in India, policymakers ensure these fragile ecosystems receive legal protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, and are managed via site‑specific conservation plans that engage local communities and scientific experts.

Metric	Value
Total Wetlands (ha)	7,700,000 ha (approx.)
Percentage of Land Area	~4.7 %
Ramsar Sites in India (2025)	91 sites
Ramsar Area Coverage (ha)	1,400,000 ha (approx.)

History of Ramsar Sites in India

India’s Accession to the Ramsar Convention

India’s journey with the Ramsar Convention began even before formal accession in 1982, when it designated its first two sites: Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan. Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish lagoon, supports over 160 migratory and resident bird species and sustains local fisheries. Keoladeo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, hosts more than 370 bird species annually on the Central Asian Flyway.

After accession, India steadily added wetlands: by 2000, a dozen sites, from Harike Wetland in Punjab to Loktak Lake in Manipur, were listed. The early 2000s saw growing recognition of mangrove ecosystems (e.g., Bhitarkanika, Sundarbans) and high‑altitude lakes (e.g., Tso Moriri). From 2011 onward, an aggressive push saw some 30 new sites, reflecting ecological priorities and geopolitical factors, such as conserving cross‑border riverine wetlands.

In the most recent phase (2022–2025), India added 22 sites in rapid succession, including the floodplain Sirpur Wetland (MP), urban Mahadevapura Wetland (Karnataka), and Bihar’s Kanwar Lake, Asia’s largest oxbow lake. This acceleration underscores India’s enhanced policy focus, bolstered by the Wetlands Rules (2017) and the MoEFCC’s National Wetland Conservation Programme, to align domestic wetland policy with international obligations.

First Ramsar Site of India (1981)

Site	State	Year Designated	Key Features
Chilika Lake	Odisha	1981	Asia’s largest brackish lagoon; migratory birds
Keoladeo National Park	Rajasthan	1981	UNESCO World Heritage; over 370 bird species

Timeline of Additions Up to 2025

Period	# Sites Added	Notable Sites
1981–2000	12	Harike, Loktak, Wular
2001–2010	18	Bhitarkanika, Ashtamudi, Sambhar
2011–2021	30	Sundarbans, Vembanad‑Kol, Keoladeo expansions
2022–2025	22	Sirpur, Mahadevapura, Kanwar, Nanda Lake, Pala

Ramsar Site Designation Process

Designating a Ramsar site in India is a multistep procedure rooted in science and policy collaboration. It begins at the state level, where State Wetland Authorities identify candidate wetlands based on ecological surveys and stakeholder consultations. These authorities compile baseline data on hydrology, species inventories, land use patterns, and socio‑economic interdependencies.

The central nodal agency, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), oversees these nominations. Experts evaluate the site against the Ramsar Convention’s nine criteria, ensuring it meets at least one internationally defined threshold. A Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) is drafted, detailing ecological character, threats, management measures, and local community roles.

Upon MoEFCC approval, the RIS is submitted to the Ramsar Secretariat in Switzerland, which conducts its technical review. If any data gaps emerge, the Secretariat requests clarification. Once satisfied, it formally adds the wetland to the Ramsar List, conferring international recognition.

Post‑designation, the site receives legal protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. MoEFCC, state authorities, NGOs, and local communities develop site-specific management plans collaboratively, detailing restoration actions, zoning, and monitoring frameworks. This process ensures that ecological integrity and human well‑being are balanced in wetland governance.

Nomination Authorities

• MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change): Central nodal body.
• State Wetland Authorities: Local surveys and stakeholder consultations.

Scientific Evaluation

1. Site Selection based on Ramsar criteria and national priorities.
2. Field Surveys of hydrology, ecology, and socio‑economics.
3. Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) drafted with detailed data.

Ramsar Secretariat Approval

• Submission of RIS to Ramsar Secretariat in Gland, Switzerland.
• Technical review, clarifications if needed, and formal listing.

Legal Protection & Management

• Wetlands Rules, 2017: Mandatory notification and protection of designated sites.
• Site Management Plans: Collaborative frameworks involving MoEFCC, state agencies, NGOs, and local communities.

Ramsar Sites in India: Updated List (2024–2025)

Total Number & Area

• 91 Ramsar Sites covering 1.4 million hectares (approx.).

State‑Wise Distribution

S.No.	Ramsar Site	State	Year	Area (km2)
1	Kolleru Lake	Andhra Pradesh	2002	901
2	Deepor Beel	Assam	2002	40
3	Kanwar (Kabar) Taal	Bihar	2020	26.2
4	Nanda Lake	Goa	2022	0.42
5	Khijadia WLS	Gujarat	2021	6
6	Nalsarovar BS	Gujarat	2012	123
7	Thol Lake	Gujarat	2021	6.99
8	Wadhvana Wetland	Gujarat	2021	10.38
9	Bhindawas WLS	Haryana	2021	4.11
10	Sultanpur NP	Haryana	2021	142.5
11	Chandra Taal	Himachal Pradesh	2005	0.49
12	Pong Dam Lake	Himachal Pradesh	2002	156.62
13	Renuka Lake	Himachal Pradesh	2005	0.2
14	Ranganathituu BS	Karnataka	2022	5.18
15	Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve	Karnataka	2024	0.5
16	Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve	Karnataka	2024	0.98
17	Aghanashini Estuary	Karnataka	2024	4.8
18	Ashtamudi Wetland	Kerala	2002	614
19	Sasthamkotta Lake	Kerala	2002	3.73
20	Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Longest Lake in India)	Kerala	1905	1512.5
21	Bhoj Wetland	Madhya Pradesh	2002	32
22	Sakhya Sagar	Madhya Pradesh	2022	2.48
23	Sirpur wetland	Madhya Pradesh	2022	1.61
24	Yashwant Sagar	Madhya Pradesh	2022	8.22
25	Lonar Lake (Impact Crater Lake)	Maharashtra	2020	4.27
26	Nandur Madhameshwar	Maharashtra	2019	14
27	Thane Creek	Maharashtra	2022	65.21
28	Loktak Lake	Manipur	1990	266
29	Pala Wetland	Mizoram	2021	18.5
30	Ansupa Lake	Odisha	2021	2.31
31	Bhitarkanika Mangroves	Odisha	2002	650
32	Chilika Lake (Oldest Ramsar Site in India)	Odisha	1981	1165
33	Hirakud Reservoir	Odisha	2021	654
34	Satkosia Gorge	Odisha	2021	981.97
35	Tampara Lake	Odisha	2021	3
36	Beas CnR	Punjab	2019	64
37	Harike Wetland	Punjab	1990	41
38	Kanjli Wetland	Punjab	2002	1.83
39	Keshopur-Miani CmR	Punjab	2019	34
40	Nangal WLS	Punjab	2019	1
41	Ropar Wetland	Punjab	2002	13.65
42	Keoladeo National Park	Rajasthan	1981	28.73
43	Sambhar Lake	Rajasthan	1990	240
44	Chitrangudi BS	Tamil Nadu	2021	2.6
45	Gulf of Mannar Marine BR	Tamil Nadu	2022	526.72
46	Kanjirankulam BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.96
47	Karikili BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.584
48	Koonthankulam BS	Tamil Nadu	2021	0.72
49	Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest	Tamil Nadu	2022	12.475
50	Pichavaram Mangrove	Tamil Nadu	2022	14.786
51	Point Calimere WLS & BS	Tamil Nadu	2002	385
52	Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.94
53	Udhayamarthandapuram BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.44
54	Vaduvur BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	1.12
55	Vedanthangal BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.4
56	Vellode BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.77
57	Vembannur Wetland Complex	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.2
58	Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2024	4.5
59	Longwood Shola Reserve Forest	Tamil Nadu	2024	1.16
60	Rudrasagar Lake	Tripura	2005	2.4
61	Hokera Wetland	UT of JK	2005	13.75
62	Hygam Wetland CnR	UT of JK	2022	8.02
63	Shallbugh Wetland CnR	UT of JK	2022	16.75
64	Surinsar-Mansar Lakes	UT of JK	2005	3.5
65	Wular Lake	UT of JK	1990	189
66	Tso Kar (High Altitude Ramsar Site)	UT of Ladakh	2020	95.77
67	Tsomoriri (High Altitude Ramsar Site)	UT of Ladakh	2002	120
68	Bakhira WLS	Uttar Pradesh	2021	28.94
69	Haiderpur Wetland	Uttar Pradesh	2021	69
70	Nawabganj BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	2
71	Parvati Arga BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	7
72	Saman BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	5
73	Samaspur BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	8
74	Sandi BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	3
75	Sarsai Nawar Jheel	Uttar Pradesh	2019	2
76	Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake)	Uttar Pradesh	2020	4.31
77	Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora)	Uttar Pradesh	2005	265.9
78	Asan Barrage	Uttarakhand	2020	4.44
79	East Kolkata Wetlands	West Bengal	2002	125
80	Sundarban Wetland (Largest Ramsar Site in India)	West Bengal	2019	4230
81	Nagi Bird Sanctuary	Bihar	2009	791
82	Nakti Bird Sanctuary	Bihar	1984	3.33
83	Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2024	51.516
84	Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2024	1.25865
85	Tawa Reservoir	Madhya Pradesh	2024	200.50
86	Therthangal Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2025	29.29
87	Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu	2025	–
88	Khecheopalri Wetland	Sikkim	2025	–
89	Udhwa Lake	Jharkhand	2025	–
90	Khichan	Rajasthan	2025	–
91	Menar	Rajasthan	2025	–

Smallest & Biggest Sites

• Smallest: Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh (0.20 km²)
• Biggest: Sundarbans Wetland, West Bengal (4,230 km²)

New Ramsar Sites (2022–2025)

1. Sirpur Wetland, Madhya Pradesh (2024)
2. Mahadevapura Wetland, Karnataka (2023)
3. Kanwar Lake, Bihar (2022)
4. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu (2023)
5. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, UP (2025)

Ecological Importance of Ramsar Sites

Ramsar sites are not merely designated tracts of land but living laboratories where complex ecological processes sustain local and global life. Wetlands provide a suite of ecosystem services. Humans derive benefits from nature, including water purification, flood mitigation, and climate regulation. By acting as natural filters, wetlands trap sediments, absorb excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), and break down harmful pollutants, ensuring cleaner water for downstream communities and wildlife.

Moreover, wetlands serve as biodiversity hotspots. India’s Ramsar sites host over 30 percent of the country’s avian diversity, with sites like Keoladeo National Park and Chilika Lake recognized globally for their bird populations. These areas also support critical life stages for fish and amphibians, offering spawning and nursery habitats. In arid and semi‑arid regions, such as the Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, wetlands provide oases of moisture, underpinning the survival of both flora and fauna under extreme conditions.

From a climate perspective, wetlands are among the most efficient carbon sinks on Earth. Peatlands, mangroves, and marshes store organic carbon in waterlogged soils where decomposition is slow, sequestering greenhouse gases that would otherwise contribute to global warming. Inhabited and agricultural landscapes, wetlands maintain water tables and reduce the severity of droughts and flash floods, thereby bolstering climate resilience.

Ramsar sites are living laboratories offering vital ecosystem services:

• Biodiversity Conservation: Host over 30 percent of India’s avifauna. Home to endangered species like the Indian Skimmer and Sarus Crane.
• Water Purification: Wetlands filter sediments and pollutants—for example, Chilika Lake removes an estimated 15,000 tonnes of sediment annually.
• Flood Mitigation & Groundwater Recharge: Bhoj Wetland complex recharges over 5 million m³ of groundwater per year, reducing drought impact.
• Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves like Sundarbans capture approximately 6.4 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

These ecological functions underscore why Ramsar sites in India are indispensable to both nature and society.

State‑Wise Overviews

India’s Ramsar sites reflect its remarkable geographical diversity, from high‑altitude lakes in the Himalayas to mangrove forests along the Bay of Bengal. Each state’s wetlands display unique ecological and cultural features that demand tailored conservation approaches.

Ramsar Sites in Odisha

Odisha leads in coastal and estuarine wetlands:

• Chilika Lake (1,165 km²): Seasonal salinity gradients support over 160 bird species, including greater flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans.
• Bhitarkanika Mangroves (654 km²): The second-largest mangrove tract in India; critical for saltwater crocodiles and migratory waders.
• Ansupa Lake (1.36 km²): Freshwater oxbow lake of the Mahanadi River, home to endemic fish and waterfowl.
• Hirakud Reservoir (743 km²): One of the world’s largest earthen dams, offering habitat for migratory ducks and geese.

Ramsar Sites in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites (14) in India, encompassing:

• Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (377 km²): Limestone shoals and salt pans attract tens of thousands of flamingos each winter.
• Pallikaranai Marsh (80 km²): Urban wetland near Chennai, filters 25 million liters of stormwater daily.
• Pichavaram Mangroves (1.10 km²): Second-largest mangrove ecosystem; supports fisheries and tourism.
• Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary (0.24 km²): Tank cluster for migratory waders and resident waterbirds.

Other States

• Uttar Pradesh: Sur Sarovar (2 km²), Saman Bird Sanctuary (7 km²).
• Punjab: Harike Wetland (86 km²), Keshopur‑Miani (0.98 km²).
• Madhya Pradesh: Bhoj Wetland (317 km²), Sirpur Wetland (9 km²).

Threats to Ramsar Wetlands in India

• Despite their global importance, Ramsar sites in India face escalating threats from human pressures and environmental change. How many Ramsar sites in India have fallen prey to these threats? All 91 Ramsar sites in India report varying degrees of degradation.

• Encroachment & Habitat Loss: Conversion of wetlands in India to agriculture and real estate has fragmented sites. In peri‑urban areas, Pallikaranai Marsh (a key Ramsar site in Tamil Nadu) and East Kolkata Wetlands, urban expansion has shrunk wetland extents by up to 30 percent over two decades.
• Pollution & Eutrophication: Untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and plastic waste degrade water quality. Harike Wetland (Punjab) has recorded phosphorus levels 250 percent above safe thresholds, leading to fish kills and loss of aquatic biodiversity. Such pollution threatens even the smallest Ramsar sites in India, like Renuka Wetland.
• Climate Change Impacts: Erratic monsoons produce drought‑like dry spells followed by flash floods, destabilizing wetland hydrology. Coastal Ramsar sites, including the biggest Ramsar site in India, the Sundarbans, face a sea‑level rise of 3 mm/year, submerging low‑lying areas and increasing salinity intrusion.
• Governance & Enforcement Gaps: Overlapping mandates among the MoEFCC, state forest, irrigation, and fisheries departments impede cohesive management. Many provisions of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 remain under‑implemented due to limited funding and manpower, placing the future of Ramsar sites in Odisha and other states at risk.

Government Initiatives & Conservation Efforts

Recognizing these threats, the Government of India has launched several programs to protect Ramsar sites in India and the broader network of wetlands in India:

National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)

• Inception: 1985–86
• Scope: Provides central grants for restoration, research, and capacity building across 101 priority wetlands, including key Ramsar sites in India 2024 updates.
• Achievements: Restored 75 degraded wetlands, reestablished native vegetation, and improved water quality in 60 percent of targeted sites.

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017

• Mandatory Notification: All wetlands >1 ha, including new Ramsar sites in India, must be notified by state governments.
• Prohibitions: Bans on reclamation, conversion, dumping of waste, and discharge of untreated sewage into wetlands in India.
• Zoning: Establishes buffer zones, core protection areas, and sustainable use zones within each Ramsar site to safeguard critical habitats.

Community‑Centric Schemes

• Amrit Dharohar Scheme (2023–25): Allocates ₹250 crore to develop eco‑tourism infrastructure and community training around Ramsar sites in Tamil Nadu, Ramsar sites in Odisha, and other regional wetlands.
• Wetland Mitras: A network of over 5,000 citizen volunteers trained to report violations, conduct awareness drives, and assist in bio‑monitoring across all Ramsar sites in India.

Awareness & Education

• World Wetlands Day (2 Feb): Nationwide campaigns engage over 100,000 participants in 2024, highlighting the importance of total wetlands in India and the first Ramsar site of India.
• Curriculum Integration: Wetland ecology modules were introduced in Class VIII–X science syllabi in 15 states to foster early awareness of India’s rich wetland heritage.

These initiatives, backed by robust legal frameworks and grassroots engagement, aim to reverse degradation trends and ensure the long‑term viability of Ramsar sites in India, from the smallest Ramsar sites in India to the biggest Ramsar site in India 1.2025,” and Ministry of Jal Shakti, “National Wetland Conservation Programme Annual Report, 2023–24.”

Ramsar Sites and UPSC/SSC Exam Relevance

• How many Ramsar sites in India?: 91 (2025)
• First Ramsar site of India: Chilika Lake & Keoladeo (1981)
• Map-based Prelims: Identify states with major Ramsar sites.
• Mains Essays: Role of wetlands in climate resilience and biodiversity.
• Interview Topics: India’s global leadership under the Ramsar Convention.

Conslusion

India’s 91 Ramsar sites form a globally significant network of wetlands, each vital for biodiversity, human well‑being, and climate resilience. From the inaugural designations in 1981 to the recent additions through 2025, these sites exemplify India’s evolving environmental stewardship.

Sustaining them requires robust legal frameworks like the Wetlands Rules, integrated governance, scientific research, and empowered communities. For aspirants, policymakers, and citizens alike, understanding Ramsar sites is key to safeguarding India’s natural heritage for future generations.

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