Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, recognized under the Ramsar Convention for their ecological value. In India, these sites are vital for biodiversity, supporting rare species and local communities. As of March 2025, India boasts 89 Ramsar sites in India, reflecting its commitment to wetland conservation.
Total and Notable Sites
India currently has 89 Ramsar sites, with recent additions in February 2025, including Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary and Khecheopalri Wetland. The largest, Sundarban Wetland in West Bengal, spans 4,230 km², while the smallest, Vembannur Wetland Complex in Tamil Nadu, covers just 0.20 km². The first sites, Keoladeo National Park and Chilika Lake, were designated in 1981, marking India’s early conservation efforts.
Distribution and Conservation
Tamil Nadu leads with 20 sites, followed by Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. North East India has sites like Deepor Beel (Assam) and Loktak Lake (Manipur), with Sikkim gaining its first site recently. Conservation faces challenges like pollution, but initiatives like the Wetlands Rules, 2017, and community programs are making strides.
Interactive Map Of Ramsar Sites
Exploring Ramsar Sites in India: A Comprehensive Analysis
This detailed analysis provides an in-depth exploration of Ramsar sites in India, drawing from various environmental reports, government data, and recent developments as of March 8, 2025. It aims to assist readers in understanding the significance, distribution, and conservation status of these wetlands, crucial for biodiversity and ecological balance.
Background and Context
Ramsar sites, designated under the Ramsar Convention (an intergovernmental treaty signed in 1971), are wetlands of international importance recognized for their ecological functions, including water purification, flood control, and habitat for diverse flora and fauna. India, a signatory since 1982, has seen a steady increase in these designations, reflecting its commitment to wetland conservation. As of February 2025, India has 89 Ramsar sites, covering over 1.3 million hectares, making it the country with the highest number in Asia and third globally, after the United Kingdom (176 sites) and Mexico (144 sites).
Ramsar Sites in India (2025)
| State/Union Territory | Number of Sites | Ramsar Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 1 | Kolleru Lake |
| Assam | 1 | Deepor Beel |
| Bihar | 3 | Kanwar Lake, Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Nakti Lake |
| Goa | 1 | Nanda Lake |
| Gujarat | 4 | Khijadiya, Nalsarovar, Thol Lake, Wadhvana Wetland |
| Haryana | 2 | Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Chandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka Lake |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 5 | Hokersar Wetland, Hygam Wetland, Shallabugh Wetland, Mansar-Surinsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Wular Lake |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Udhwa Lake |
| Karnataka | 4 | Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve |
| Kerala | 3 | Ashtamudi Wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake, Vembanad-Kol Wetland |
| Ladakh | 2 | Tso Kar, Tsomoriri Lake |
| Madhya Pradesh | 5 | Bhoj Wetland, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur Lake, Yashwant Sagar, Tawa Reservoir |
| Maharashtra | 3 | Lonar Lake, Nandur Madhameshwar, Thane Creek |
| Manipur | 1 | Loktak Lake |
| Mizoram | 1 | Pala Wetland |
| Odisha | 6 | Ansupa Lake, Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Chilika Lake, Hirakud Reservoir, Satkosia Gorge, Tampara Lake |
| Punjab | 6 | Beas Conservation Reserve, Harike Wetland, Kanjli Wetland, Keshopur-Miani, Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Ropar Wetland |
| Rajasthan | 2 | Keoladeo National Park, Sambhar Lake |
| Tamil Nadu | 14 | Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Point Calimere, Suchindram Theroor Wetland, Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Wetland, Ousteri Wetland, Pichavaram Mangroves, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve |
| Tripura | 1 | Rudrasagar Lake |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Sur Sarovar, Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora), Haiderpur Wetland, Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | Asan Barrage |
| West Bengal | 2 | East Kolkata Wetlands, Sundarbans |
Total Ramsar Sites in India
As of 2025, there are 89 Ramsar sites in India, up from 85 following the addition of four new sites on World Wetlands Day 2025. These include:
- Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary (Jharkhand)
- Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim)
- Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
This increase highlights India’s ongoing efforts to conserve wetlands, with Jharkhand and Sikkim receiving their first designations. The total area covered is approximately 1,359,434 hectares, as noted on Wikipedia.
Notable Ramsar Sites
The analysis identifies key sites based on size, historical significance, and ecological value:
- Largest Ramsar Site: Sundarban Wetland in West Bengal, covering 4,230 km², is the largest, part of the Sundarbans delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its mangrove forests and Bengal tiger habitat (Wikipedia).
- Smallest Ramsar Site: Vembannur Wetland Complex in Tamil Nadu, with an area of 0.20 km² (20 hectares), is the smallest, yet ecologically significant for bird species and local ecosystems (Wikipedia).
- First Ramsar Sites: Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan and Chilika Lake in Odisha were the first, designated in 1981. Keoladeo, formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is a critical migratory bird habitat, while Chilika, the largest coastal lagoon in India, supports rare species like the Irrawaddy dolphin (BYJU’S).
State-wise Distribution
The distribution of Ramsar sites across states is uneven, with Tamil Nadu leading at 20 sites, followed by:
- Uttarakhand: 6 sites
- Uttar Pradesh: 5 sites
- Rajasthan: 4 sites
- Maharashtra and West Bengal: 3 sites each
Other states like Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Sikkim also have sites, particularly in North East India:
- Ramsar Sites in North East India: Include Deepor Beel (Assam), Loktak Lake (Manipur), Rudrasagar Lake (Tripura), and Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim, newly added in 2025). States like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram currently have no Ramsar sites (pwonlyias.com).
This distribution reflects the ecological diversity, with Tamil Nadu’s high count due to its coastal and inland wetlands.
Conservation Challenges and Initiatives
Ramsar sites face significant threats, including:
- Pollution from urban and industrial sources
- Encroachment for agriculture and development
- Invasive species impacting native biodiversity
- Climate change effects, such as altered rainfall patterns
To counter these, the Indian government has implemented:
- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: A legal framework for wetland protection, excluding river channels and paddy fields from the definition (Wikipedia).
- Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management: Established in 2021, managed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, located at the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management in Chennai (byjus.com).
- Community-based conservation programs, engaging local stakeholders in wetland management.
Additionally, two Indian sites are listed under the Montreux Record, indicating changes in ecological character due to human interference, emphasizing the need for enhanced conservation efforts.
Recent Developments
The addition of four new Ramsar sites in February 2025 is a significant development, reflecting India’s proactive approach. This aligns with global trends, such as increased focus on wetland restoration under the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan 2016-2024. The inclusion of sites in Jharkhand and Sikkim also marks regional expansion, enhancing North East India’s conservation profile (StudyIQ).
Unexpected Detail: Regional Expansion
An unexpected aspect is the recent inclusion of Sikkim and Jharkhand, previously without Ramsar sites, highlighting India’s efforts to cover diverse ecological zones. Khecheopalri Wetland, a sacred lake in Sikkim, adds cultural significance to the conservation narrative, attracting both environmentalists and tourists.
Conclusion
This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of Ramsar sites in India, emphasizing their ecological and cultural importance. With 89 sites as of March 2025, India’s commitment to wetland conservation is evident, though challenges remain. By leveraging government initiatives and community engagement, these sites can continue to thrive, supporting biodiversity and local livelihoods.
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