Quick Answer: How Many Ramsar Sites Are in India?
Quick Answer: India currently has 91 Ramsar sites, the highest in Asia and third-highest worldwide after the United Kingdom and Mexico. The two newest designations in 2025 took the count past 89. Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were India’s first Ramsar sites (1981). The Sundarban Wetland (West Bengal) is the largest, while Vembanad-Kol (Kerala) is the longest lake. Tamil Nadu has the most sites of any state. Verify the latest count at ramsar.org before your exam.
- Quick Answer: How Many Ramsar Sites Are in India?
- What Is the Ramsar Convention? Origin, Aim and Key Facts
- The 9 Criteria for Designating a Ramsar Wetland
- Ramsar Sites in India: State-wise Full List
- First, Largest, Smallest and Most Recent Ramsar Sites in India
- What Is the Montreux Record? Indian Sites Listed
- Wetlands of International Importance vs National Designations
- Major Indian Wetlands: Ecology and Exam-Relevant Details
- Ramsar Convention and Other Environmental Conventions: Linkages
- Previous Year Questions and Expected MCQs on Ramsar Sites
- Quick Revision Table and Memory Tricks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is a Ramsar site?
- Q: When did India become a party to the Ramsar Convention?
- Q: Which two Indian wetlands are on the Montreux Record?
- Q: Which state has the maximum Ramsar sites in India?
- Q: What is celebrated on 2 February?
- Related reading
What Is the Ramsar Convention? Origin, Aim and Key Facts
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar — the only global intergovernmental treaty devoted to a single ecosystem type. It entered into force in 1975. Key facts for prelims:
- Official name: Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat.
- Aim: conservation and wise use of wetlands through local, national and international cooperation.
- India acceded: 1 February 1982.
- World Wetlands Day: 2 February, marking the Convention’s adoption.
- Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland (IUCN hosts the secretariat).
India’s Ramsar commitments feed into national policy via the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) — see the PIB releases on wetland designations.
The 9 Criteria for Designating a Ramsar Wetland
A wetland qualifies as a Wetland of International Importance if it meets at least one of nine criteria, grouped into four buckets:
- Group A — Representative or rare types: Criterion 1 — contains a representative, rare or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type (e.g., Loktak’s floating phumdis).
- Group B — Biodiversity: Criteria 2, 3, 4 — supports vulnerable/endangered species or threatened ecological communities; supports biodiversity maintaining biological diversity; supports species at critical life stages or refuge in adverse conditions.
- Group C — Waterbirds: Criteria 5, 6 — regularly supports 20,000+ waterbirds; supports 1% of a waterbird population (the famous “1% criterion” — Keoladeo qualifies here).
- Group D — Fish: Criteria 7, 8, 9 — supports high fish diversity, threatened fish species, or a significant proportion of indigenous fish stocks; Criterion 9 covers wetland-dependent non-avian animals.
Memory trick: “1 type, 2–4 biodiversity, 5–6 birds, 7–9 fish and fauna.”
Ramsar Sites in India: State-wise Full List
Tamil Nadu leads with the most sites (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10) and Punjab (6). Designation years shown for selected sites; the full annotated list is on ramsar.org.
| State/UT | Ramsar Sites (designation year where key) |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu (20) | Point Calimere (2002), Kodiakkarai-adjacent sites, Pallikaranai (2022), Karikili, Kolleru-linked sanctuaries, Vaduvur, Udhayamarthandapuram, Chitrangudi, Suchindram Theroor, Vadhoo, Gulf of Mannar-linked wetlands, Pichavaram, Devarayaneri, Tawa-linked sites, plus 2024–25 additions incl. Kaliveli, Kazhuveli, and Chennai’s Pallikaranai cluster |
| Uttar Pradesh (10) | Upper Ganga River stretch (2005), Nawabganj, Parvati Arga, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi, Sarsai Nawar, Surha Tal, Bakhira, Haiderpur (2021) |
| Punjab (6) | Harike (1990), Kanjli (2002), Ropar (2002), Nangal, Beas Conservation Reserve, Harike-linked Keshopur-Miani (2019) |
| Gujarat (4) | Nalsarovar (2012), Thol, Wadhvana, Khijadiya (all 2021–22) |
| Kerala (3) | Vembanad-Kol (2002), Ashtamudi (2002), Sasthamkotta (2002) |
| Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh (5) | Wular (1990), Hokera, Surinsar-Mansar, Tsomoriri, Hygam |
| Rajasthan (2) | Keoladeo NP (1981), Sambhar (1990) |
| Odisha (2) | Chilika (1981), Bhitarkanika (2022) |
| West Bengal (2) | Sundarban Wetland (2019), East Kolkata Wetlands (2002) |
| Himachal Pradesh (3) | Pong Dam, Renuka, Chandertal (2002/2005) |
| Assam (1) | Deepor Beel (2002) |
| Manipur (1) | Loktak Lake (1990) |
| Bihar (1) | Kabartal (2020) |
| Madhya Pradesh (3) | Bhoj (2002), Sakhya Sagar, Yashwant Sagar (2022) |
| Maharashtra (1) | Lonar Lake (2020) |
| Meghalaya (1) | Ramsar-designated Umiam-linked Nongmahir cluster (2025) |
| Andhra Pradesh / Telangana | Kolleru (2002); 2025 additions from both states |
| Others (2024–25 additions) | Sikkim, Goa, Karnataka and Karnataka-adjacent riverine sites — check the live list on ramsar.org as counts update |
Note: The 2024–25 designations have changed state counts rapidly; always cross-verify with the official Ramsar Sites Information Service before the exam.
First, Largest, Smallest and Most Recent Ramsar Sites in India
- First: Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park — both designated 1 October 1981.
- Largest: Sundarban Wetland, West Bengal (~4,23,000 ha).
- Smallest: Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh (~0.2 sq km) — a favourite prelims twist.
- Highest altitude: Tsomoriri, Ladakh.
- Most recent: Sites added in 2025 — verify names in the current Ramsar list.
What Is the Montreux Record? Indian Sites Listed
The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur — a “danger list” for threatened wetlands. India has two entries:
- Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan): added 1990 due to water scarcity and invasive species threatening its waterbird habitat.
- Loktak Lake (Manipur): added 1993 owing to phumdi degradation, hydropower (Loktak hydro project) impacts and pollution.
Note: Chilika Lake was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 but removed in 2002 after successful restoration — a classic prelims distinction.
Wetlands of International Importance vs National Designations
Ramsar status is an international label, not a separate legal category. The wetland continues under its national designation — national park, wildlife sanctuary, conservation reserve or community reserve — under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Regulatory protection flows from the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Unlike the 2010 Rules, the 2017 Rules exclude river channels and paddy fields from the definition of wetlands and decentralise management to State Wetland Authorities.
Major Indian Wetlands: Ecology and Exam-Relevant Details
| Wetland | State | Exam Point |
|---|---|---|
| Chilika | Odisha | Largest brackish-water lagoon in Asia; Irrawaddy dolphins; Nalabana bird sanctuary inside |
| Sundarban Wetland | West Bengal | Largest Ramsar site; mangroves; Royal Bengal Tiger; within a UNESCO site |
| Loktak | Manipur | Floating phumdis; Keibul Lamjao NP (only floating national park); Montreux Record |
| Vembanad-Kol | Kerala | Longest lake in India; Nehru Trophy Boat Race; climate-vulnerable |
| Wular | J&K | One of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes; Jhelum-fed |
| Keoladeo | Rajasthan | UNESCO World Heritage Site; Siberian crane historically; Montreux Record |
| Ashtamudi | Kerala | Second largest in Kerala; estuarine; declared 2002 with Vembanad and Sasthamkotta |
Ramsar Convention and Other Environmental Conventions: Linkages
For Mains answer-writing, link Ramsar with: CBD (wetland biodiversity and Aichi/Kunming targets), CMS (Bonn Convention) (migratory waterbirds using flyway sites like Chilika), UNFCCC (wetlands as carbon sinks — mangroves, peatlands), UNESCO World Heritage (Sundarbans, Keoladeo), and World Wetlands Day (2 February), which the UN formally recognised in 2021. India also hosts key Central Asian Flyway sites under the CMS framework.
Previous Year Questions and Expected MCQs on Ramsar Sites
- (UPSC-style) Which of the following are on the Montreux Record? (a) Chilika (b) Keoladeo (c) Loktak (d) Wular — Answer: b and c. Elimination tip: Chilika was removed in 2002.
- (UPSC 2019) Consider the statement on Ramsar: “It is an intergovernmental treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands.” — True. Watch the word “wise use” — it is the Convention’s signature phrase.
- Q: Which state has the most Ramsar sites? — Tamil Nadu. UP often confuses exam-takers as runner-up.
- Q: India acceded to Ramsar in: 1982 (not 1971/1975).
Quick Revision Table and Memory Tricks
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Convention adopted | 2 Feb 1971, Ramsar (Iran) |
| India joined | 1 Feb 1982 |
| India’s sites (2025) | 91 — verify latest |
| First sites | Chilika + Keoladeo (1981) |
| Largest | Sundarban Wetland |
| Smallest | Renuka (HP) |
| Most sites | Tamil Nadu > UP > Punjab |
| Montreux Record | Keoladeo, Loktak (Chilika removed) |
Mnemonic: “Keoladeo and Loktak are on the Montreux Monitor” — the double-M links Montreux to Monitoring. For first sites: “CK in ’81” (Chilika–Keoladeo, 1981).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Ramsar site?
A wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention (1971) as being of international importance for biodiversity, waterbirds or ecology, based on the nine designation criteria.
Q: When did India become a party to the Ramsar Convention?
India acceded on 1 February 1982; Chilika and Keoladeo were the first two designated sites (1981).
Q: Which two Indian wetlands are on the Montreux Record?
Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) — wetlands where ecological character has changed or is threatened. Chilika was removed from the Record in 2002.
Q: Which state has the maximum Ramsar sites in India?
Tamil Nadu leads with the highest number, followed by Uttar Pradesh; verify the latest count at time of publication on ramsar.org.
Q: What is celebrated on 2 February?
World Wetlands Day, marking the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on 2 February 1971.
Related reading
- Monday Environment Sprint Quiz: 15 Ecology and Pollution MCQs in 12 Minutes
- Saturday Environment Quiz: 15 Ecology, Pollution and Climate MCQs in 12 Minutes with Timer Targets
Quick revision
- Official name: Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat.
- Aim: conservation and wise use of wetlands through local, national and international cooperation.
- World Wetlands Day: 2 February, marking the Convention’s adoption.
- Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland (IUCN hosts the secretariat).
- Group A — Representative or rare types: Criterion 1 — contains a representative, rare or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type (e.g., Loktak’s floating phumdis).
- Group B — Biodiversity: Criteria 2, 3, 4 — supports vulnerable/endangered species or threatened ecological communities; supports biodiversity maintaining biological…
Have a doubt on this topic?
