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Ramsar Sites in India: As of June 2025, India has 91 Ramsar sites, covering more than 13 lakh hectares, recognised for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Tamil Nadu leads with the highest number of these internationally important wetlands. With Tamil Nadu having the highest number and Rajasthan marking the latest additions—Khichan (Phalodi) and Menar (Udaipur)—India now ranks 1st in Asia and 3rd globally in Ramsar site count.
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As of June 2025, India has 91 Ramsar sites. The most recent additions to the Ramsar list are
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Incredible India
both are located in Rajasthan, recognised for their vital role in supporting biodiversity and ecological balance. These inclusions mark India’s ongoing efforts in ecological preservation, with the total count now reaching 91. The Ramsar sites in India span diverse ecosystems, from high-altitude lakes to coastal mangroves and urban marshlands. Previously, on February 2, 2025, the following four wetlands were designated as Ramsar sites:
Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim)
Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand)
These sites, designated under the Ramsar Convention, operate as critical habitats for diverse flora and fauna and provide essential ecosystem services to local communities.
Ramsar Sites in India Overview 2025 |
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Parameter | Details |
Total Number of Ramsar Sites | 91 (as of June 2025) |
First Ramsar Sites | Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) – designated in 1981 |
State with Highest Sites | Tamil Nadu (currently has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India) |
Recent Additions (2025) | Khichan (Phalodi) & Menar (Udaipur) in June 2025; 4 sites added on Feb 2, 2025 |
Total Area Covered | Approx. 13,26,677 hectares |
Governing Authority | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India |
Ramsar Convention | International treaty for wetland conservation signed in 1971 (India ratified in 1982) |
Criteria for Designation | Based on ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological importance |
Benefits of Designation | International recognition, conservation funding, and biodiversity protection |
India’s Ramsar Mission | Promote the wise use of all wetlands through local, regional, and national-level actions |
From wetlands crowded with migratory birds to lakes supporting aquatic life, each Ramsar Site in India has a unique conservation narrative. India’s dedication to preserving these ecosystems highlights its commitment to sustainable environmental stewardship.
A wetland is a unique ecosystem that is flooded or saturated by water, either permanently for years or decades or seasonally for shorter periods. Water presence in wetlands leads to oxygen-poor (anoxic) processes, especially in the soils. These unique environments support a specialized assemblage of plants, animals, and microbes that have adapted to tolerate periods of sluggishly moving or standing water
India, with its diverse landscapes, boasts a rich variety of wetland ecosystems. These wetlands can be broadly classified into three main categories:
India has made significant progress in wetland conservation, and the recognition of new Ramsar Sites underlines the country’s dedication to environmental preservation.
On June 5, 2025, two additional wetlands from Rajasthan were designated as Ramsar Sites:
Khichan (Phalodi), Rajasthan
Menar (Udaipur), Rajasthan
With this latest addition, the total number of Ramsar Sites in India has increased to 91. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi felicitated this achievement, emphasising the importance of public participation in environmental conservation. Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav described it as a reflection of PM Modi’s unwavering commitment to nature protection.
On February 2, 2025, four new sites were added to the list. The new Ramsar sites are:
With this, India became the country with the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia and the third-highest globally, after the United Kingdom (176) and Mexico (144). Now, India has a total of 1301 wetlands, which include 91 Ramsar Wetlands and 114 Significant Wetlands.
The Ramsar Convention was first established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, and India became a signatory to it on February 1, 1982. Throughout the long term, the quantity of Ramsar Destinations in India has consistently increased. From 1982 to 2013, 26 sites were assigned.
Ramsar are defined as the areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish, or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters. These sites are recognised for their ecological significance and their contributions to biodiversity conservation, water purification, and livelihood support for local communities.
There are more than 2,400 Ramsar Sites globally, spanning over 250 million hectares, the Ramsar Convention highlights the immense value of wetlands and the urgent need for their protection and conservation.
India’s ratification of the Ramsar Convention signifies its commitment to global wetland conservation. By joining this international treaty, India pledges to protect its wetlands and promote their sustainable use.
Here is the list of total Ramsar sites in India according to their areas and states in which they are located.
S.No. | Ramsar Site | State | Year | Area (km2) |
1 | Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh | 2002 | 901 |
2 | Deepor Beel | Assam | 2002 | 40 |
3 | Kanwar (Kabar) Taal | Bihar | 2020 | 26.2 |
4 | Nanda Lake | Goa | 2022 | 0.42 |
5 | Khijadia WLS | Gujarat | 2021 | 6 |
6 | Nalsarovar BS | Gujarat | 2012 | 123 |
7 | Thol Lake | Gujarat | 2021 | 6.99 |
8 | Wadhvana Wetland | Gujarat | 2021 | 10.38 |
9 | Bhindawas WLS | Haryana | 2021 | 4.11 |
10 | Sultanpur NP | Haryana | 2021 | 142.5 |
11 | Chandra Taal | Himachal Pradesh | 2005 | 0.49 |
12 | Pong Dam Lake | Himachal Pradesh | 2002 | 156.62 |
13 | Renuka Lake | Himachal Pradesh | 2005 | 0.2 |
14 | Ranganathituu BS | Karnataka | 2022 | 5.18 |
15 | Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve | Karnataka | 2024 | 0.5 |
16 | Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve | Karnataka | 2024 | 0.98 |
17 | Aghanashini Estuary | Karnataka | 2024 | 4.8 |
18 | Ashtamudi Wetland | Kerala | 2002 | 614 |
19 | Sasthamkotta Lake | Kerala | 2002 | 3.73 |
20 | Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Longest Lake in India) | Kerala | 1905 | 1512.5 |
21 | Bhoj Wetland | Madhya Pradesh | 2002 | 32 |
22 | Sakhya Sagar | Madhya Pradesh | 2022 | 2.48 |
23 | Sirpur wetland | Madhya Pradesh | 2022 | 1.61 |
24 | Yashwant Sagar | Madhya Pradesh | 2022 | 8.22 |
25 | Lonar Lake (Impact Crater Lake) | Maharashtra | 2020 | 4.27 |
26 | Nandur Madhameshwar | Maharashtra | 2019 | 14 |
27 | Thane Creek | Maharashtra | 2022 | 65.21 |
28 | Loktak Lake | Manipur | 1990 | 266 |
29 | Pala Wetland | Mizoram | 2021 | 18.5 |
30 | Ansupa Lake | Odisha | 2021 | 2.31 |
31 | Bhitarkanika Mangroves | Odisha | 2002 | 650 |
32 | Chilika Lake (Oldest Ramsar Site in India) | Odisha | 1981 | 1165 |
33 | Hirakud Reservoir | Odisha | 2021 | 654 |
34 | Satkosia Gorge | Odisha | 2021 | 981.97 |
35 | Tampara Lake | Odisha | 2021 | 3 |
36 | Beas CnR | Punjab | 2019 | 64 |
37 | Harike Wetland | Punjab | 1990 | 41 |
38 | Kanjli Wetland | Punjab | 2002 | 1.83 |
39 | Keshopur-Miani CmR | Punjab | 2019 | 34 |
40 | Nangal WLS | Punjab | 2019 | 1 |
41 | Ropar Wetland | Punjab | 2002 | 13.65 |
42 | Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan | 1981 | 28.73 |
43 | Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | 1990 | 240 |
44 | Chitrangudi BS | Tamil Nadu | 2021 | 2.6 |
45 | Gulf of Mannar Marine BR | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 526.72 |
46 | Kanjirankulam BS | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 0.96 |
47 | Karikili BS | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 0.584 |
48 | Koonthankulam BS | Tamil Nadu | 2021 | 0.72 |
49 | Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 12.475 |
50 | Pichavaram Mangrove | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 14.786 |
51 | Point Calimere WLS & BS | Tamil Nadu | 2002 | 385 |
52 | Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 0.94 |
53 | Udhayamarthandapuram BS | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 0.44 |
54 | Vaduvur BS | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 1.12 |
55 | Vedanthangal BS | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 0.4 |
56 | Vellode BS | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 0.77 |
57 | Vembannur Wetland Complex | Tamil Nadu | 2022 | 0.2 |
58 | Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | 2024 | 4.5 |
59 | Longwood Shola Reserve Forest | Tamil Nadu | 2024 | 1.16 |
60 | Rudrasagar Lake | Tripura | 2005 | 2.4 |
61 | Hokera Wetland | UT of JK | 2005 | 13.75 |
62 | Hygam Wetland CnR | UT of JK | 2022 | 8.02 |
63 | Shallbugh Wetland CnR | UT of JK | 2022 | 16.75 |
64 | Surinsar-Mansar Lakes | UT of JK | 2005 | 3.5 |
65 | Wular Lake | UT of JK | 1990 | 189 |
66 | Tso Kar (High Altitude Ramsar Site) | UT of Ladakh | 2020 | 95.77 |
67 | Tsomoriri (High Altitude Ramsar Site) | UT of Ladakh | 2002 | 120 |
68 | Bakhira WLS | Uttar Pradesh | 2021 | 28.94 |
69 | Haiderpur Wetland | Uttar Pradesh | 2021 | 69 |
70 | Nawabganj BS | Uttar Pradesh | 2019 | 2 |
71 | Parvati Arga BS | Uttar Pradesh | 2019 | 7 |
72 | Saman BS | Uttar Pradesh | 2019 | 5 |
73 | Samaspur BS | Uttar Pradesh | 2019 | 8 |
74 | Sandi BS | Uttar Pradesh | 2019 | 3 |
75 | Sarsai Nawar Jheel | Uttar Pradesh | 2019 | 2 |
76 | Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) | Uttar Pradesh | 2020 | 4.31 |
77 | Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora) | Uttar Pradesh | 2005 | 265.9 |
78 | Asan Barrage | Uttarakhand | 2020 | 4.44 |
79 | East Kolkata Wetlands | West Bengal | 2002 | 125 |
80 | Sundarban Wetland (Largest Ramsar Site in India) | West Bengal | 2019 | 4230 |
81 | Nagi Bird Sanctuary | Bihar | 2009 | 791 |
82 | Nakti Bird Sanctuary | Bihar | 1984 | 3.33 |
83 | Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | 2024 | 51.516 |
84 | Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | 2024 | 1.25865 |
85 | Tawa Reservoir | Madhya Pradesh | 2024 | 200.50 |
86 | Therthangal Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | 2025 | 29.29 |
87 | Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | 2025 | – |
88 | Khecheopalri Wetland | Sikkim | 2025 | – |
89 | Udhwa Lake | Jharkhand | 2025 | – |
90 | Khichan | Rajasthan | 2025 | – |
91 | Menar | Rajasthan | 2025 | – |
Here is a list of Ramsar Sites in India state-wise from the north states of Jammu Kashmir to the southern tip of Kerala. Let’s see each Ramsar site and its number.
State/UT | No. of Sites | Names of Ramsar Sites |
Andhra Pradesh | 1 |
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Assam | 1 |
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Bihar | 3 |
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Goa | 1 |
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Gujarat | 4 |
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Haryana | 2 |
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Himachal Pradesh | 3 |
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Jammu and Kashmir | 5 |
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Karnataka | 4 |
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Kerala | 3 |
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Ladakh | 2 |
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Madhya Pradesh | 5 |
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Maharashtra | 3 |
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Manipur | 1 |
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Mizoram | 1 |
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Odisha | 6 |
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Punjab | 6 |
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Rajasthan | 4 |
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Tamil Nadu | 20 |
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Tripura | 1 |
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Uttar Pradesh | 10 |
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Uttarakhand | 1 |
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West Bengal | 2 |
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Sikkim | 1 |
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Jharkhand | 1 |
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Designating a wetland as a Ramsar site helps increase its publicity and prestige, increasing its conservation and adequate use. It also provides access to expert advice on national and site-related problems of wetland conservation and management and encourages international cooperation on wetland issues, and brings the possibility of support for wetland projects, either through the Convention’s small grants assistance programs or through the Convention’s contacts with multilateral and bilateral external support agencies.
To categorize the diverse Ramsar Sites in India, distinctions are drawn based on geographical origin, nutrient status, vegetation types, and thermal characteristics.
Wetland Category | Ramsar Sites |
Glaciatic Wetlands |
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Tectonic Wetlands |
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Oxbow Wetlands |
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Lagoons |
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Crater Wetlands |
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Urban Wetlands |
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Reservoirs |
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Mangroves |
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Ramsar Sites in India exhibit a diverse range of features, reflecting the country’s rich ecological and geographical diversity. These features are instrumental in supporting biodiversity, water resources, and the overall well-being of the environment. Given below are some essential features of:
Biodiversity Hotspots |
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Wetland Types |
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Mangrove Forests |
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Aquatic Vegetation |
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Migratory Bird Habitats |
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Endangered Species |
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Cultural Significance |
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Tourism and Recreation |
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Water Supply |
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Research and Education |
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Climate Resilience |
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Traditional Practices |
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Wetlands are crucial for filtering water, controlling floods, and supporting biodiversity. They provide habitats for many species and help mitigate climate change by storing carbon. Economically, wetlands benefit fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. However, they are threatened by urbanization and pollution. Conserving wetlands is essential to sustain their ecological and economic benefits. Let us see various efforts and steps to conserve wetlands at various levels:
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