Ramsar Sites:
A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty signed in 1971 Ramsar, Iran.
Aim:
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on earth, providing critical habitats for wildlife, supporting biodiversity, and offering numerous benefits to humans. So its aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands, recognizing their ecology, culture and economic importance.
Criteria for Ramsar Sites:
To be designated as a Ramsar Sites a wetland must meet specific criteria such as:
- Supporting rare or unique species
- Providing critical habitat for migratory bird
- Playing a critical role in water purification or flood control
Ramsar Sites List In India:
On the occasion of World Wetlands Day,( 2nd Feb,2025 ) India added four more Wetlands in their Ramsar Site list. Now, India have total 89 Ramsar Site, largest number of Ramsar Sites in Asia. Four newly added Ramsar Sites are –
| RAMSAR SITES NAME | STATE | FAMOUS FOR |
| Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | This wetland spreads over 230.490 hectors. This is Central Asian Flyway and also critical breeding and foraging ground for waterbirds. |
| Therthangal Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | This wetland situated near Gulf of Manner on Central Asian Flyway. Known for home of Black-headed Ibis, Spot-billed Pelicon, Painted stork etc. |
| Khechopalri Wetland | Sikkim | The local name of Khechopalri Wetland is Sho-Dzo-Sho, meaning “Oh Lady, Sit Here”. Its also known as Kha-Chot-Palri, meaning of ‘Kho-Chot-Palri‘ is – “The Heaven of Padmasambhava”. This wetland considered as sacred place by both Buddhists and Hindus. |
| Udhwa Lake | Jharkhand | First Ramsar sites in Jharkhand. It is an Important Bird Area(IBA) and known as wildlife sanctuary. We can see here two interconnected water bodies, Patauran and Berhale. |
State-wise List of Ramsar Sites in India:
| States | No. Of Ramsar Sites | Name of Ramsar Sites |
| Tamil Nadu | 20 | Sakkarakottai BS1(Added in 2025) , Therthangal BS(Added in 2025), Karikili BS, Kanjirankulam BS, Chitrangudi BS, Koonthankulam BS, Point Calimere WLS & BS, Udhayamarthandapuram BS, Vedanthangal BS, Vellode BS, Vaduvur BS, Kazhuveli BS, Nanjarayan BS, Karaivetti BS, Vembannur Wetland Complex, Long Shola Reserve Forest, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Pichavaram Mangrove, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Gulf of Manner Marine BR2 . |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Nawabganj BS, Saman BS, Parvati Arga BS, Samaspur BS, Sandi BS, Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora), Sur Sarovar (keetham Lake), Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Bakhira WLS, Haiderpur Wetland. |
| Odisha | 6 | Chilika Lake ( Oldest Ramsar Site in India), Ansupa Lake, Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Hirakud Reservoir, Tampara Lake, Satkosia Gorge. |
| Punjab | 6 | Ropar Wetland, Keshopur-Miani CmR, Harika Wetland, Beas CnR, Kanjli Wetland, Nangal WLS. |
| Madhya Pradesh | 5 | Yaswant Sagar, Sirpur Sagar, Sakhya Sagar, Bhoj Wetland, Tawa Reservoir |
| UT of JK | 5 | Wular Lake, Hygam Wetland CnR, Shallbugh Wetland CnR, Hokera Wetland, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes |
| Karnataka | 4 | Aghanashini Estuary, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Magadi kere Conservation Reserve, Ranganathituu BS. |
| Gujrat | 4 | Thol Lake, Wadhvana Wetland, Nalsarovar BS, Khijadia BS, |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Chandra Taal, Renuka Lake, Pong Dam lake. |
| Maharashtra | 3 | Thane Creek, Nandur Madhameshwar, Lonar Lake |
| Kerala | 3 | Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Longest Lake in INDIA), Ashtamudi Wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake. |
| Bihar | 3 | Nagi BS, Nakti BS,Kanwar Taal |
| Haryana | 2 | Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas WLS. |
| UT of Ladakh | 2 | Tso Kar, Tsomoriri |
| West Bengal | 2 | Sundarban Wetland (Largest Ramsar Site in India), East Kolkata Wetland |
| Rajasthan | 2 | Keoladeo National Park, Sambar Lake |
| Goa | 1 | Nanda Lake |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1 | Kolleru Lake |
| Assam | 1 | Deepor Beel |
| Mizoram | 1 | Pala Wetland |
| Manipur | 1 | Loktak Lake |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | Asan Barrage |
| Tripura | 1 | Rudrasagar Lake |
| Sikkim | 1 | Khechopalri Wetland (Added in 2025) |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Udhwa Lake (Added in 2025) |