Ramsar Sites in India: State Wise List of Ramsar Sites - UPSC Notes

Ramsar Sites in India are vital international standard wetlands which are under the category of Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention is a legally binding international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. By February 2025, India has 89 Ramsar Sites, the maximum number in South Asia. It is made up of a variegated ecosystem including fresh water lakes, swamps, mangroves, and high-altitude lakes. These sites are the basis of survival and expansion of various plant and animal species. It also aids in water purification, flood control, and climate regulation. The continuous addition of new Ramsar sites in India reflects India's commitment to maintaining these essential ecological areas.

Check the below article on Ramsar sites in India to know more about the 89 wetlands in India that are designated as Ramsar sites. It is important for the UPSC IAS exam.

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Latest News on Ramsar Sites in India

In recent days, India has included four more wetlands in its Ramsar Site list, the number has already reached 89. This is a proof of India's dedication to the conservation of wetlands, which will make the country even stronger in claiming the first place in Asia and the third in the world, right after the United Kingdom and Mexico. Here are the newly designated Ramsar Sites:

• Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary: Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary is hilly and rocky in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Covering 230.495 hectares, this is the only area in the region which is sheltered along the Central Asian Flyway, being the area Mountains of Cerronegro have applied their gravitational force on the River. It is this trending movement that has given the riverbed an unusual concavity whose bending pattern is mostly locally and irregularly been enjoyed by
• Therthangal Bird Sanctuary: Another of its kind located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, this sanctuary is equally important for waterbird conservation, providing breeding and foraging habitats.
• Khecheopalri Wetland: Khecheopalri Lake, a sacred lake for both Buddhists and Hindus, forms an alternate high-altitude lake in biodiversity conservation in West Sikkim at 1,700 m above sea level with the status of a wish-fulfilling lake.
• Udhwa Lake: In the Sahebganj district of Jharkhand, this consists of two adjoining water bodies: the Patauran (155 hectares) and the Berhale (410 hectares) linked by a stream. This area is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and plays an important role in the conservation of avian habitats.

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The 89 Ramsar sites in India are listed below along with their year of designation & area in sq. km:

Study in detail about the List of Main Wetlands of the World here!

State Wise List of Ramsar Sites in India

The below table shows the state-wise list of total Ramsar sites in India:

Read more about the Biodiversity Heritage Sites in India!

Largest, Smallest & Oldest Ramsar Sites in India

India became a party to the Ramsar convention in 1982.Since then the number of Ramsar sites in India has kept on increasing. As India has 89 Ramsar sites, it is essential to know details like which Ramsar sites are largest, smallest and oldest of all. The below table gives the data about the largest, smallest and oldest Ramsar site in India:

List of Largest, Smallest and Oldest Ramsar Sites in India
Ramsar Sites in India	State	Area (in Sq. Km)
Sundarbans Wetland (Largest Ramsar Site in India)	West Bengal	4230
Renuka Wetland (Smallest Ramsar Site in India)	Himachal Pradesh	0.2
Chilka Lake (Oldest Ramsar Site in India)	Odisha	1165

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A register called Montreux Record is maintained as a part of the Ramsar sites list. The Ramsar wetland sites where changes in ecological character have occurred or are occurring or are about to occur due to pollution, technological development, or any form of human interference are registered under the Montreux Record. There are only 2 Indian Ramsar Sites in Montreux Record; check them in the table below:

Read more about Montreux Record!

Importance of Ramsar Sites in India

The Ramsar Convention is unique globally as its sole purpose is to protect and conserve a specific ecosystem, including plant and animal life, particularly waterfowl, that rely on wetlands. The Ramsar Convention's mission is to promote the conservation and responsible utilization of all wetlands worldwide through local, regional, and national efforts, as well as international cooperation, to achieve sustainable development.

Ramsar Sites in India serve two main goals:

•  The preservation and sustainable use of wetlands
•  To prevent encroachment and loss of wetlands

 It's important to note that the Ramsar Convention is not a legally binding treaty, and it is not affiliated with UN or UNESCO conventions.

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Important Facts About Ramsar Sites in India 

India has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in South Asia, with the number reaching 89 as of February 2025. These sites cover diverse ecosystems such as wetlands, mangroves, and high-altitude lakes, vital for biodiversity conservation. This reflects India's ongoing commitment to wetland preservation.

• Ramsar sites are one of the World’s most important protected places.
• There are around 2400 Ramsar sites around the World, encompassing 2.5 million square kilometers.
• In 1974, the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia was designated as the World’s first Ramsar site.
• With 175, the United Kingdom has the most Ramsar Sites in the World.
• International Wetlands Day is observed on February 2 to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971.
• The Ramsar Sites Information Service can be used to research any of the Ramsar sites (RSIS)
• As of October 2019, there are 171 contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention.
• The Ramsar Convention works in partnership with organizations like The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a non-profit organization (IUCN), Birdlife International,International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Wetlands International 

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Key Takeaways on Ramsar Sites in India for UPSC Aspirants Ramsar Sites are areas of global importance which are water bodies that have been designated under this international treaty. The Ramsar Convention which was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, became a worldwide treaty. The main goal of this action is to save wetlands from the fate of overdevelopment by getting local and national actions, international cooperation, and sustainable use involved. India's Participation: India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982. India has 80 Ramsar Sites, highlighting its commitment to preserving biodiversity and managing water resources. The Importance of Ramsar Sites in India: Their importance is of great consequence as they not only provide water security but also contribute to the agricultural and fishery industries as well as peoples' livelihoods. They regulate floods and are homes to a great many plants and animals, as well as threatened species.ś Notable Ramsar Sites: Some prominent Ramsar Sites in India include the Chilika Lake in Odisha, Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, and Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir. These sites are crucial for migratory birds, biodiversity conservation, and local economies.

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