Introduction

India hosts 85 Ramsar sites (as of December 2024), internationally recognized for their biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. These wetlands, including coral reefs and mangroves, support diverse flora and fauna, provide ecosystem services like water purification and flood control, and sustain local communities.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention, signed on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, is an international agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on this date to promote awareness.

Wetlands: Definition and Categories

Wetlands are areas where water covers or saturates the soil either year-round or during certain seasons, including the growing period.

Natural Wetlands

Man-made Wetlands

Coral Reefs

Fishponds

Oases

Paddy fields

Mangroves & Coastal Areas

Reservoirs

 Estuaries & Deltas

 

 

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Ramsar Sites (Wetlands) in India: State-wise List

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

  Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary. 

Kerala (3)

  Vembanad Kol Wetland

  Sasthamkotta Lake

  Ashtamudi Wetland

Karnataka (4)

  Aghanashini Estuary

  Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve

  Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

  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

  Paravati 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 Kabartal Wetland

  Nagi Bird Sanctuary

  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

Ladakh (2) 

  Tso Kar Wetland Complex

  Tsomoriri Lake

Uttarakhand (1)

  Asan Conservation Reserve

Mizoram (1)

  Pala Wetland

Manipur (1)

  Loktak Lake

Assam (1) 

  Deepor Beel

Tripura (1)

  Rudrasagar Lake

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Three New Ramsar Sites in India (December 2024)

India's tally of Ramsar sites has reached 85 with the inclusion of three new wetlands:

1. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)

  • Located on the banks of the Noyyal River, originally an irrigation reservoir.
  • Hosts diverse bird species, including Eurasian coot, spot-billed duck, and herons.
  • Key stop for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.
  • Supports biodiversity and livelihoods through fishing.

2. Kazhuveli Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)

  • Among South India's largest brackish water wetlands on the Coromandel Coast.
  • Habitat for endangered species like the black-headed ibis and greater flamingo.
  • Vital migratory stopover along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
  • Contributes to flood control and groundwater recharge.

3. Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh)

  • Created by damming the Tawa River, serving as a wintering ground for migratory birds.
  • Provides irrigation, drinking water, and supports local fisheries.
  • Integral to regional water management.

Conclusion

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, provide essential services like water purification, flood control, and climate regulation, and sustain local livelihoods. Their conservation is crucial for ecological balance and combating global environmental challenges.

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