India has 85 Ramsar sites (December 2024), recognised internationally for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. These wetlands, including coral reefs and mangroves, support diverse plant and animal species, provide essential services to local communities, and offer essential services like water purification and flood control. These protected areas are vital ecosystems teeming with biodiversity.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
It is an international agreement for the preservation and responsible use of wetlands known as the Ramsar Convention. The agreement was signed on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, the same date annually celebrated as World Wetlands Day.
- Wetlands: They are places where water either covers the soil or is present at or near the soil’s surface year-round or for different parts of the year, including the growing season. The Ramsar Convention categorises various natural and human-made diverse water bodies, and habitats as wetlands:
- Natural– Oases, estuaries, deltas, mangroves, coastal areas, coral reefs
- Human– Fishponds, rice paddies, and reservoir
Ramsar Sites (Wetlands) in India: State-wise Compilation
India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites to 85 (December 2024) from the existing 80 by designating five more wetlands as Ramsar sites. These are as follows:
| State | Designated wetland sites |
| Andhra Pradesh (1) | – Kolleru Lake |
| Tamil Nadu (18) | – Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vembanur Wetland Complex, Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pichavaram Mangrove, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Point Calimere Wildlife Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Sanctuary and Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary. |
| Kerala (3) | – Vembanad Kol Wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake, Ashtamudi Wetland |
| Karnataka (4) | – Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ranganathittu BS, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve |
| Maharashtra (3) | – Nandur Madhameshwar, Lonar Lake, Thane Creek |
| Goa (1) | – Nanda Lake |
| Gujarat (4) | – Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Vadhvana Wetland, Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Rajasthan (2) | – Sambhar Lake, Keoladeo National Park |
| Uttar Pradesh (10) | – Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Haiderpur Wetland, Upper-Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch), Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Sur Sarovar, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Paravai Agra Bird Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary |
| Haryana (2) | – Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Madhya Pradesh (5) | – Yashwant Sagar, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur Wetland, Bhoj Wetland, Tawa Reservoir |
| Bihar (3) | – Kanwar Lake or Kabartl Wetland, Nagi Bird Sanctuary and Nakti Bird Sanctuary |
| Odisha (6) | – Ansupa Lake, Hirakud Reservoir, Tampara Lake, Chilka Lake, Satkosia Gorge, Bhitarkanika Mangrove |
| West Bengal (2) | – East Kolkata Wetlands, Sunderban Wetland |
| Punjab (6) | – Harike Lake, Beas Conservation Reserve, Kanjli Lake, Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Ropar Wetland |
| Himachal Pradesh (3) | – Chandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka lake |
| Jammu and Kashmir (5) | – Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve, Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, Hokera Wetland, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Wular Lake |
| UT of Ladakh (2) | – Tso Kar Wetland Complex, Tsomoriri Lake |
| Uttrakhand (1) | – Asan Conservation Reserve |
| Mizoram (1) | – Pala Wetland |
| Manipur (1) | – Loktak Lake |
| Assam (1) | – Deepor Beel |
| Tripura (1) | – Rudrasagar Lake |
Recently Added Ramsar Sites in India
Three new wetlands have got the Ramsar site tag taking the total tally of Ramsar wetlands to 85 (December 2024) in India. The three new Ramsar sites are:
- Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): Located on the banks of the Noyyal River, it was initially an irrigation reservoir but has evolved into a vital ecosystem.
- It hosts diverse bird species like the Eurasian coot, spot-billed duck, and herons while attracting migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.
- The wetland supports biodiversity and local livelihoods through fishing.
- Kazhuveli Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): Situated on the Coromandel Coast, it is one of South India’s largest brackish water wetlands. Its mix of salt marshes, mudflats, and shallow waters supports endangered species like the black-headed ibis and greater flamingo.
- It serves as a migratory stopover along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and aids in flood control and groundwater recharge.
- Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh): Formed by damming the Tawa River, it is a significant wintering ground for migratory birds.
- The reservoir provides irrigation, and drinking water, and supports local fisheries, playing a key role in regional water management.
Ramsar Wetland Sites in India UPSC PYQs
Question 1: List any eight ‘Ramsar’ wetland sites located in India. What is the Montreux Record’ and what Indian sites are included in this Record? (UPSC Mains 2012 )
Question 2: Consider the following pairs: (UPSC Prelims 2022)
Wetland/Lake: Location
- Hokera Wetland Punjab
- Renuka Wetland Himachal Pradesh
- Rudrasagar Lake Tripura
- Sasthamkotta Tamil Nadu
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
- Only one pair
- Only two pairs
- Only three pairs
- All four pairs
Answer: (b)
Last updated on Feb, 2025
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Ramsar Wetland Sites in India FAQs
Q1. How many Ramsar sites are there in India?+
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Q3. Which are the largest Ramsar Site in India?+
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