India’s network of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention has expanded nearly fourfold since 2014. It has grown from 26 to 103 designated sites covering over 13.87 lakh hectares. Ranking first in Asia and third globally, these ecosystems safeguard biodiversity, buffer floods, recharge groundwater, and sustain livelihoods. Anchored by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, the Government of India drives scientific and participatory conservation through the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), Amrit Dharohar, MISHTI, and Mission Sahbhagita to secure long-term ecological resilience.
As per the Ramsar Convention, "Wetlands are 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 metres”. Linking land and water, wetlands store fresh water, recharge groundwater, buffer floods and sustain fisheries and farming. They also shelter migratory birds and rich biodiversity, placing them among the most productive ecosystems on Earth.
Globally, these habitats are protected under the Convention on Wetlands or the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty. It was adopted at Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971 and entered into force in 1975. As on October 2026, it now includes 172 Contracting Parties and over 2,536 designated "Ramsar Sites" worldwide.
India, home to a large number of wetlands, became a Party to the Convention on 1 February 1982. It has steadily expanded its network since then. The country now has 103 Ramsar Sites, a nearly fourfold rise from just 26 sites in 2014. India’s network ranks first in Asia and third in the world in terms of number of sites. Collectively, these sites cover more than 13.87 lakh hectares across 28 States and Union Territories.
A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. These sites are recognised for their ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological or hydrological significance. The Ramsar Convention rests on three pillars. These are the wise use of all wetlands, the designation and effective management of Ramsar Sites, and international cooperation on wetland conservation.
In India, the process begins with the State Government or Union Territory Administration identifying a suitable wetland. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change then coordinates approval and forwards the proposal to the Ramsar Secretariat.
A wetland must meet at least one of nine criteria to qualify as a Wetland of International Importance. The criteria fall into two groups, covering wetland types and the conservation of biological diversity.
A wetland should be considered internationally important
If it contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.
Criteria based on species and ecological communities
If it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
If it supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.
If it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.
If it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
If it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.
If it supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of wetland benefits and/ or values and thereby contributes to global biological diversity.
If it is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend.
If it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-dependent non-avian animal species.
Did You Know? A taxon is a group of organisms classified together based on shared characteristics, while taxa is the plural form, referring to multiple groups. For example, flowering plants, such as roses, form a plant taxon, while butterflies belong to an insect taxon. Major taxa in biodiversity include amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
Benefits of Designating Wetlands to Ramsar List
Designating wetlands to the Ramsar list and meeting Ramsar Convention commitments is a contribution to global efforts for biodiversity conservation. Ramsar Sites are recognized as being of significant value not only for a country but for humanity as a whole. Designating Ramsar Sites and ensuring their conservation and wise use:
Provides a platform for international representation: Enables countries to voice their concerns at the principal intergovernmental forum on wetland conservation and wise use. At the Ramsar 15th Conference of Parties held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, India introduced a Resolution on ‘Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands’. The resolution was adopted at the Conference. The resolution received overwhelming support from the 172 Ramsar Contracting Parties, Six International Organisation Partners, and other observers.
Enhances visibility and recognition: Increases the international visibility and recognition of Ramsar Sites. This can strengthen support for their conservation and wise use.
Provides access to international standards and guidance: Offers access to the latest information on internationally accepted standards for identifying wetlands of international importance. It also provides guidance on wise use and wetland management planning.
Facilitates expert assistance: Enables access to expert advice on national and site-specific wetland conservation and management challenges. Support is available through the Ramsar Secretariat, its collaborators, and Ramsar Advisory Missions, where appropriate.
Promotes international cooperation and financial support: Encourages cooperation on wetland conservation and management. It can also facilitate project support through the Convention’s small-grant programmes and links with multilateral and bilateral funding agencies.
Designation commits the State or Union Territory to the wise use of the wetland and its resources. The site is deemed notified under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, and also the guidelines recommend to be formally notified under these rules with an Integrated Management Plan. The Ramsar Information Sheet must be updated every six years, and the site’s ecological character monitored regularly. Guided by these criteria and commitments, India has built a large and remarkably diverse network of Ramsar Sites.
India’s Ramsar Sites — From 26 to 103
India’s Ramsar Sites span high-altitude lakes, river floodplains, mangroves, coral reefs, village tanks and urban marshes. Tamil Nadu has the highest number with 20 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 14 sites. Growth has been rapid, and in 2025 alone, 11 wetlands were added, taking the national total to 96. Surha Tal in Uttar Pradesh became the 100th site in June 2026, and Glaw Lake the 101st in August. India’s Ramsar site tally has reached 103 on October 15, 2026, with the designation of Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh as the latest additions to the list.
Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan became India’s first Ramsar Sites on 1 October 1981. After successful ecological restoration, Chilika was removed from the Montreux Record in 2002. Chilika Development Authority later won the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award.
What is Montreux Record: It is a register of Ramsar Sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur. It identifies wetlands requiring priority conservation attention and guides monitoring, remedial action and resource allocation. Sites are included in consultation with the concerned country and relevant scientific experts. Sites may be removed from the record once successful remedial measures are documented or when the threat of ecological change no longer exists.
India’s latest additions to Ramsar Sites
Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) is a human-made reservoir created in 1958 at the foothills of the Shivalik hills. It shelters threatened species such as Pallas's fish eagle, the common pochard and the black pond turtle. Migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway rely on it for feeding and wintering.
Sauj Jheel (UP) is a shallow floodplain lake in Mainpuri district that regularly hosts more than 30,000 waterbirds. It provides nesting and foraging grounds for threatened birds such as the sarus crane and the greater spotted eagle. Its sacred lotus and wild sugarcane beds offer cover for nesting birds, fish and amphibians.
The table below lists all 103 Ramsar Sites by State and Union Territory, with their key conservation value.
Freshwater lake; grey pelican and migratory waterbirds
Eastern Himalayan Lake; 150+ tree and 49 orchid species
Brahmaputra floodplain wetland; migratory waterbirds
Floodplain wetland; migratory waterbirds and fish
Human-made reservoir; wintering waterbirds
Ganga oxbow lake; birds, fisheries and flood buffering
Oxbow lake; resident and migratory birds
Rain-fed, peri-urban reservoir; migratory and resident birds
Reservoir; resident and migratory waterbirds
Natural freshwater lake; sarus crane and waterbirds
Irrigation reservoir; wintering migratory birds
Human-made reservoir; waterbirds including sarus crane
Coastal freshwater and salt marsh wetland near Gulf of Kutch; diverse birds
Seasonal desert wetland near Banni; cranes and flamingos
Human-made freshwater wetland; migratory birds
High-altitude lake; snow leopard habitat
Spring-fed lake; aquatic and forest biodiversity
Twin Ganga-linked lakes; migratory and resident waterbirds
Kaveri islets; nesting waterbirds and mugger crocodile
Human-made tank; wintering bar-headed goose
Village irrigation tank; nesting waterbirds
Estuarine backwaters; fisheries and mangroves
Spring-fed freshwater lake; drinking water source
Largest brackish wetland on the southwest coast
Upper and Lower Lakes of Bhopal; water supply and birds
Human-made wetland in Indore; migratory birds
Reservoir in Madhav National Park; mugger crocodile
Reservoir near Indore; sarus crane and water supply
Reservoir in Satpura Tiger Reserve; aquatic and bird life
Meteorite impact crater lake; saline-alkaline ecosystem
Mangroves; flamingos and migratory birds
Floating phumdis; habitat of the Sangai deer
Largest natural wetland of Mizoram; hoolock gibbon
Brackish lagoon; Irrawaddy dolphin, waterbirds and 118 fish species
Mangroves; saltwater crocodile and olive ridley turtle
Mahanadi river gorge; gharial and mugger crocodile
River confluence reservoir; migratory waterbirds
Barrage-formed wetland on Kali Bein; waterbirds
River stretch; Indus River dolphin and gharial
Waterbirds; historic wintering ground of Siberian crane
Community-protected village wetlands; migratory birds
Wintering demoiselle cranes; community conservation
Reservoir near Alwar; wetland biodiversity
Sacred Himalayan Lake with peatland and forest
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
Coastal wetland; flamingos and migratory shorebirds
Largest waterbird breeding reserve in South India
Breeding and wintering ground for waterbirds
One of India’s largest mangroves; fish nursery
One of India’s oldest bird-protected areas; heronry
Large inland freshwater lake; nesting waterbirds
Reservoir lake; fish and three-striped roof turtle
Freshwater marsh; waterfowl and sarus crane
Twin oxbow lakes; waterbirds and vultures
Human-made reservoir near Agra; waterbirds
Ganga floodplain; gharial, swamp deer and waterbirds
Largest natural floodplain wetland of eastern UP
Wintering bar-headed geese and painted storks
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal)
Rich avifauna; migratory and resident birds
Shallow, perennial floodplain wetland; migratory and resident waterbirds
Asan-Yamuna confluence; migratory waterbirds
Wastewater-fed fisheries and agriculture
High-altitude lake; black-necked crane and bar-headed goose
High-altitude lakes; black-necked crane breeding
Sundarban Wetland in West Bengal, designated on 30 January 2019, is India’s largest Ramsar Site at 4,23,000 hectares. It holds over 60 per cent of India’s mangrove area and a tiger population with unique aquatic hunting skills.
Ramsar status brings global recognition, scientific guidance and access to expert advice for designated wetlands. It also places clear duties on States to protect each site’s ecological character through planning and monitoring.
Restoring Ecosystems: Chilika Lake shows how sustained restoration can revive a wetland and the communities that depend on it. Today, the lagoon supports 118 fish species and serves as a breeding, wintering and staging ground for waterbirds.
Sustaining Livelihoods: The East Kolkata Wetlands treat the city’s wastewater naturally through about 4,000 hectares of fish ponds. They yield about 10,500 tonnes of fish a year and directly support about 50,000 people.
Building Climate Resilience: The Sundarban mangroves shield inland areas from storms, cyclones, tidal surges and saltwater intrusion. They also serve as nurseries for fish and shellfish, sustaining fisheries along India’s entire eastern coast.
Reviving Threatened Species: The Beas Conservation Reserve in Punjab holds India's only known population of the endangered Indus River dolphin. A reintroduction programme launched in 2017 released 47 gharials, nearly three decades after they vanished from the river. The 185-kilometre river stretch also supports more than 500 bird species and over 90 fish species.
Community Stewardship: Khichan Wetland in Rajasthan hosts more than 22,000 wintering demoiselle cranes each year on just 54 hectares. Residents of the adjoining village actively protect the birds from power line collisions and stray dog attacks.
Government Initiatives for Wetland Conservation
India’s Ramsar network is backed by a strong framework of laws, schemes and people’s participation.
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017
Notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, these Rules provide the regulatory framework for wetland conservation. They establish State/UT Wetlands Authorities and prohibit activities such as encroachment, waste dumping and untreated effluent discharge.
National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)
NPCA merged the national programmes for lake and wetland conservation into one scheme. Updated NPCA Guidelines issued in 2024 give States an integrated and scientific framework for managing wetlands.
Amrit Dharohar promotes the unique conservation values of India’s Ramsar Sites. It covers species and habitat conservation, nature tourism, wetland livelihoods and wetland carbon assessment. Under this, studies for the inventory of flora and fauna of 75 Ramsar Sites have been conducted by the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India, respectively. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure for Assessment of Carbon Stock in Wetlands’ was released, and has been utilised to assess the Carbon stock of 39 Ramsar Sites across the country.
Mission Sahbhagita and the Save Wetlands Campaign
Mission Sahbhagita promotes participatory conservation; its Save Wetlands Campaign began in Goa on 4 February 2023. Over 2 million citizen volunteers have since helped map more than 1.7 lakh wetlands across the country.
Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)
MISHTI targets mangrove restoration over 540 square kilometres in nine States and four UTs. So far, ₹88.44 crore has been released to restore 9,949.5 hectares of degraded mangroves.
Inaugurated on 2 October 2021, the portal serves as a dynamic knowledge repository on India’s wetlands. It offers single-point access to information on sites, projects, initiatives and training for managers and citizens.
Indore and Udaipur became India’s first Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities in January 2025, joining the global network of Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities.
India’s expanding Ramsar network offers an opportunity to strengthen wetland conservation through science, effective management and community participation. The focus ahead must be on translating international recognition into lasting ecological outcomes. Regular monitoring, evidence-based planning and coordination among governments, institutions and local communities can help maintain the ecological character of these wetlands. Sustained efforts will be essential to ensure that wetlands continue to support biodiversity, water security, climate resilience and livelihoods for future generations.
Equally important is the need to integrate wetland conservation into wider development planning. Strengthening local stewardship, improving data and knowledge sharing, and promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities can deepen conservation efforts. By combining ecological priorities with the needs of communities, India can build a more inclusive and resilient approach to wetland management, ensuring these ecosystems remain productive and protected over the long term.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Click to access 1761126102.pdf
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https://moef.gov.in/wetlands-of-india-portal
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http://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/187/AU317_5cMQH9.pdf?source=pqals
Ministry of Jal Shakti (National Water Mission)
Click to access wetlands%20rules.pdf
https://gujarattourism.com/kutch-zone/kutch/chhari-dhand-wetland-reserve.html
Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Secretariat)
https://ramsar.org/document/present-text-convention-wetlands
https://ramsar.org/about/convention-wetlands-and-its-mission
Click to access COP15NR_India_e.pdf
https://www.ramsar.org/news/india-adds-two-more-wetlands-international-importance-list