TL;DR — facts in 30 seconds
Total Ramsar sites in India: 85 (as of 2025). Total area: ~13.3 lakh ha. India in Asia: 2nd largest network (after China). First sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) + Keoladeo NP (Rajasthan), both 1 Oct 1981. India became Ramsar party: 1 Feb 1982. State leader: Tamil Nadu (18 sites). World Wetlands Day: 2 February.
What is a Ramsar site?
A Ramsar site is a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, formally the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. The Convention was signed on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea, and came into force on 21 December 1975. India became a contracting party on 1 February 1982.
Wetlands designated as Ramsar sites must meet at least one of 9 criteria, broadly grouped as:
- Criterion 1 — contains a representative, rare or unique example of a natural wetland type.
- Criteria 2-4 — supports vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered species.
- Criteria 5-6 — supports significant populations of waterbirds (20,000+ or 1% of population of a species).
- Criteria 7-8 — supports indigenous fish species / spawning grounds.
- Criterion 9 — supports 1% of population of a wetland-dependent non-avian species.
India's first Ramsar sites — 1 October 1981
| Site | State | Area (sq km) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | 1,165 | Asia's largest brackish water lagoon; was on Montreux Record (sites in danger) 1993-2002, removed after restoration |
| Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan | 29 | Formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary; UNESCO World Heritage Site |
State-wise distribution of Ramsar sites in India
State leaders by number of sites (top 12):
| Rank | State / UT | Number of sites | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamil Nadu | 18 | Pichavaram, Point Calimere, Kazhuveli, Vembannur, Vellode, Karikili |
| 2 | Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Upper Ganga River, Saman, Samaspur, Sarsai Nawar, Sandi, Bakhira, Sur Sarovar, Nawabganj, Parvati Arga, Haiderpur |
| 3 | Jammu & Kashmir | 5 | Wular Lake, Tso Moriri, Tsokar, Surinsar-Mansar, Hokera |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 3 | Nandur Madhameshwar, Lonar Lake, Thane Creek |
| 5 | Karnataka | 4 | Ranganathittu, Magadi Kere, Aghanashini, Ankasamudra |
| 6 | Rajasthan | 3 | Keoladeo, Sambhar Lake (Montreux Record), Khichan |
| 7 | Gujarat | 4 | Nalsarovar, Khijadiya, Thol, Wadhvana |
| 8 | Kerala | 3 | Sasthamkotta, Vembanad-Kol, Ashtamudi |
| 9 | Odisha | 4 | Chilika, Bhitarkanika, Hirakud Reservoir, Satkosia Gorge, Tampara |
| 10 | Punjab | 6 | Harike, Kanjli, Ropar, Beas Conservation Reserve, Keshopur-Miani, Nangal |
| 11 | West Bengal | 2 | East Kolkata Wetlands, Sundarbans |
| 12 | Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Chandertal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka Lake |
Latest Ramsar additions (2024-25)
India added new Ramsar sites in two batches during 2024-25:
- August 2024 — added 3 sites: Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh).
- February 2025 — additional sites announced on World Wetlands Day, bringing the total to 85.
Montreux Record — sites in ecological trouble
The Montreux Record under the Ramsar Convention identifies sites where adverse ecological changes have occurred or are likely. From India:
- Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) — currently on Montreux Record (added 1990).
- Loktak Lake (Manipur) — currently on Montreux Record (added 1993).
- Chilika Lake (Odisha) — was on Montreux 1993-2002; removed after restoration.
Wetland conservation framework in India
- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 — under Environment Protection Act 1986; supersedes 2010 Rules.
- National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) — since 1985-86.
- National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) — 2015 merger of NWCP + National Lake Conservation Plan.
- Amrit Dharohar initiative (2023) — under MoEFCC for community participation in Ramsar conservation.
- Mishti scheme (2023) — Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes.
World Wetlands Day — 2 February
World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2 February to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on this day in 1971. First celebrated in 1997, it raises awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. Each year has a theme — 2025 theme: "Wetlands and our common future"; 2024: "Wetlands and Human Wellbeing".
Famous Ramsar sites in India — must-know for UPSC
- Chilika Lake (Odisha) — Asia's largest brackish water lagoon; first Ramsar site of India.
- Keoladeo NP (Rajasthan) — UNESCO World Heritage Site; first batch.
- Wular Lake (J&K) — one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes.
- Loktak Lake (Manipur) — known for "phumdis" (floating biomass); Keibul Lamjao NP within.
- Sundarbans (West Bengal) — world's largest mangrove ecosystem; Royal Bengal Tigers.
- Bhitarkanika (Odisha) — second largest mangrove in India; saltwater crocodiles.
- Harike (Punjab) — formed by Beas-Sutlej confluence.
- East Kolkata Wetlands — sewage-fed pisciculture system, urban wetland.
- Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan) — India's largest inland saline lake.
- Vembanad-Kol (Kerala) — longest lake in India.
UPSC and exam relevance
- Prelims (high probability): Latest count, state with most sites (Tamil Nadu), first Ramsar sites (Chilika + Keoladeo), Montreux Record sites.
- Mains GS-3: Wetland conservation, biodiversity, climate adaptation roles of wetlands.
- Refresh yearly: The number of sites changes each year — Padho.club refreshes this page on every World Wetlands Day (2 February).