Ramsar Sites In India 2025 – List Of 89 Wetlands Of International Importance

Explore The Updated List Of 89 Ramsar Sites In India 2025. Learn About Their Ecological Importance, Designation Process, And India’s Wetland Conservation Efforts. Let me know if you want variations with a focus on exams, UPSC prep, or SEO keywords like “wetlands in India.”

Ramsar Sites in India are designated wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, a global treaty for wetland conservation. These sites provide critical habitats for biodiversity, support water regulation, and benefit local communities. As of 2025, India has significantly expanded its network of Ramsar Sites, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability.

What Are Ramsar Sites?

Ramsar Sites are wetlands identified for conservation due to their ecological, biological, and hydrological importance. The designation is based on criteria that include biodiversity, support for threatened species, and role in groundwater recharge. India signed the Ramsar Convention in 1982 and has since added numerous wetlands to the list.

Also Read: Tiger Reserves In India 2025

How Are Ramsar Sites Designated in India?

In India, Ramsar Sites are designated through a collaborative process involving the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), state governments, and scientific organizations. A proposed wetland undergoes ecological assessments and stakeholder consultations before being nominated for Ramsar recognition. Upon approval by the Ramsar Secretariat, the wetland gains international protection and support.

How Many Ramsar Sites Are There in India in 2025?

As of 2025, there are 89 Ramsar Sites in India spanning across various ecological zones. These wetlands collectively cover over 1.2 million hectares and contribute significantly to global biodiversity.

List of Ramsar Sites in India 2025

Below is the list of all the Ramsar Sites in India as of now along with the states in which they are situated.

S.No. Ramsar Site State Year
1 Kolleru Lake Andhra Pradesh 2002
2 Deepor Beel Assam 2002
3 Kanwar (Kabar) Taal Bihar 2020
4 Nanda Lake Goa 2022
5 Khijadia WLS Gujarat 2021
6 Nalsarovar BS Gujarat 2012
7 Thol Lake Gujarat 2021
8 Wadhvana Wetland Gujarat 2021
9 Bhindawas WLS Haryana 2021
10 Sultanpur NP Haryana 2021
11 Chandra Taal Himachal Pradesh 2005
12 Pong Dam Lake Himachal Pradesh 2002
13 Renuka Lake Himachal Pradesh 2005
14 Ranganathituu BS Karnataka 2022
15 Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve Karnataka 2024
16 Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve Karnataka 2024
17 Aghanashini Estuary Karnataka 2024
18 Ashtamudi Wetland Kerala 2002
19 Sasthamkotta Lake Kerala 2002
20 Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Longest Lake in India) Kerala 1905
21 Bhoj Wetland Madhya Pradesh 2002
22 Sakhya Sagar Madhya Pradesh 2022
23 Sirpur wetland Madhya Pradesh 2022
24 Yashwant Sagar Madhya Pradesh 2022
25 Lonar Lake (Impact Crater Lake) Maharashtra 2020
26 Nandur Madhameshwar Maharashtra 2019
27 Thane Creek Maharashtra 2022
28 Loktak Lake Manipur 1990
29 Pala Wetland Mizoram 2021
30 Ansupa Lake Odisha 2021
31 Bhitarkanika Mangroves Odisha 2002
32 Chilika Lake (Oldest Ramsar Site in India) Odisha 1981
33 Hirakud Reservoir Odisha 2021
34 Satkosia Gorge Odisha 2021
35 Tampara Lake Odisha 2021
36 Beas CnR Punjab 2019
37 Harike Wetland Punjab 1990
38 Kanjli Wetland Punjab 2002
39 Keshopur-Miani CmR Punjab 2019
40 Nangal WLS Punjab 2019
41 Ropar Wetland Punjab 2002
42 Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan 1981
43 Sambhar Lake Rajasthan 1990
44 Chitrangudi BS Tamil Nadu 2021
45 Gulf of Mannar Marine BR Tamil Nadu 2022
46 Kanjirankulam BS Tamil Nadu 2022
47 Karikili BS Tamil Nadu 2022
48 Koonthankulam BS Tamil Nadu 2021
49 Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest Tamil Nadu 2022
50 Pichavaram Mangrove Tamil Nadu 2022
51 Point Calimere WLS & BS Tamil Nadu 2002
52 Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex Tamil Nadu 2022
53 Udhayamarthandapuram BS Tamil Nadu 2022
54 Vaduvur BS Tamil Nadu 2022
55 Vedanthangal BS Tamil Nadu 2022
56 Vellode BS Tamil Nadu 2022
57 Vembannur Wetland Complex Tamil Nadu 2022
58 Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu 2024
59 Longwood Shola Reserve Forest Tamil Nadu 2024
60 Rudrasagar Lake Tripura 2005
61 Hokera Wetland UT of JK 2005
62 Hygam Wetland CnR UT of JK 2022
63 Shallbugh Wetland CnR UT of JK 2022
64 Surinsar-Mansar Lakes UT of JK 2005
65 Wular Lake UT of JK 1990
66 Tso Kar (High Altitude Ramsar Site) UT of Ladakh 2020
67 Tsomoriri (High Altitude Ramsar Site) UT of Ladakh 2002
68 Bakhira WLS Uttar Pradesh 2021
69 Haiderpur Wetland Uttar Pradesh 2021
70 Nawabganj BS Uttar Pradesh 2019
71 Parvati Arga BS Uttar Pradesh 2019
72 Saman BS Uttar Pradesh 2019
73 Samaspur BS Uttar Pradesh 2019
74 Sandi BS Uttar Pradesh 2019
75 Sarsai Nawar Jheel Uttar Pradesh 2019
76 Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) Uttar Pradesh 2020
77 Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora) Uttar Pradesh 2005
78 Asan Barrage Uttarakhand 2020
79 East Kolkata Wetlands West Bengal 2002
80 Sundarban Wetland (Largest Ramsar Site in India) West Bengal 2019
81 Nagi Bird Sanctuary Bihar 2009
82 Nakti Bird Sanctuary Bihar 1984
83 Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu 2024
84 Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu 2024
85 Tawa Reservoir Madhya Pradesh 2024
86 Therthangal Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu 2025
87 Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu 2025
88 Khecheopalri Wetland Sikkim 2025
89 Udhwa Lake Jharkhand 2025

State-Wise Ramsar Sites in India

India’s Ramsar Sites are distributed across different states, contributing to regional ecological balance. Here are some notable examples:

S.No. State/UT No. of Sites Ramsar Sites
1.   Andhra Pradesh 1 Kolleru Lake
2.   Assam 1 Deepor Beel
3.   Bihar 3 Kanwar Lake

Nagi Bird Sanctuary

Nakti Bird Sanctuary

4.   Goa 1 Nanda Lake
5.   Gujarat 4 Khijadiya

Nalsarovar

Thol Lake 

Wadhvana Wetland

6.   Haryana 2 Sultanpur National Park, 

Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

7.   Himachal Pradesh 3 Chandra Taal

Pong Dam Lake, 

Renuka Lake

8.   Jammu and Kashmir 5 Hokersar Wetland,

 Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve,

Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve, 

Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, 

Wular Lake

9.   Karnataka 4 Aghanashini Estuary

Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve

Ranganathittu BS

Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve

10.    Kerala 3 Ashtamudi Wetland, 

Sasthamkotta Lake, 

Vembanad-Kol Wetland

11.    Ladakh 2 Tso Kar, 

Tsomoriri Lake

12.    Madhya Pradesh 5 Bhoj Wetland, 

Sakhya Sagar, 

Sirpur Lake, 

Yashwant Sagar

Tawa River

13.    Maharashtra 3 Lonar Lake, 

Nandur Madhameshwar, 

Thane Creek

14.    Manipur 1 Loktak Lake
15.    Mizoram 1 Pala Wetland
16.    Odisha 6 Ansupa Lake,

Bhitarkanika Mangroves, 

Chilika Lake,

 Hirakud Reservoir, 

Satkosia Gorge, 

Tampara Lake

17.    Punjab 6 Beas Conservation Reserve,

 Harike Wetland,

 Kanjli Wetland, 

Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve,

 Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, 

Ropar Wetland

18.    Rajasthan 2 Keoladeo National Park,

 Sambhar Lake

19.    Tamil Nadu 20 Vellode Bird Sanctuary

Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary

Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary

Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary

Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex

Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary

Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Vembanur Wetland Complex

Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary

Karikili Bird Sanctuary

Pichavaram Mangrove

Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve

Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest

Point Calimere Wildlife Bird Sanctuary

Kazhuveli Sanctuary

Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary

Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary

Therthangal Bird Sanctuary

20.    Tripura 1 Rudrasagar Lake
21.    Uttar Pradesh 10 Bakhira Sanctuary, 

Haiderpur Wetland, 

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, 

Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, 

Saman Bird Sanctuary, 

Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, 

Sandi Bird Sanctuary, 

Sarsai Nawar Jheel, 

Sur Sarovar, 

Upper Ganga River

22.    Uttarakhand 1 Asan Barrage
23.    West Bengal 2 East Kolkata Wetlands, 

Sundarban Wetland

24.    Sikkim 1 Khecheopalri Wetland
 
25.    Jharkhand 1 Udhwa Lake

First Ramsar Site in India

India’s first Ramsar Sites were designated in 1982. The Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan were the initial sites, recognized for their ecological significance and role as bird habitats.

Largest and Smallest Ramsar Sites in India

  • Largest Ramsar Site in India: The Sundarbans Wetland in West Bengal is the largest, covering approximately 423,000 hectares. It supports the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem and is a critical habitat for the Bengal tiger.
  • Smallest Ramsar Site in India: The Renuka Wetland in Himachal Pradesh is the smallest, spanning just 20 hectares. Despite its size, it serves as an important cultural and ecological site.

Ramsar Sites in India According to Geographical Features

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
  • Tsomoriri (Ladakh), 
  • Chandra Tal (Himachal Pradesh)
Tectonic Wetlands
  • Nilnag (Jammu and Kashmir),
  •  Khajjiar (Himachal Pradesh), 
  • Nainital (Uttarakhand), 
  • Bhimtal (Uttarakhand)
Oxbow Wetlands
  • Dal Lake (Jammu & Kashmir),
  • Loktak Lake (Manipur), 
  • Deepor Beel (Assam), 
  • Kabar (Bihar),
  •  Surahtal (Uttar Pradesh)
Lagoons
  • Chilika (Odisha)
Crater Wetlands
  • Lonar Lake (Maharashtra), 
  • Pangong Tso (Jammu and Kashmir),
  •  Sambhar (Rajasthan)
Urban Wetlands
  • Dal Lake (Jammu and Kashmir),
  •  Nainital (Uttarakhand), 
  • Bhoj (Madhya Pradesh), Harike (Punjab), 
  • Pong Dam (Himachal Pradesh)
Reservoirs
  • Idukki (Kerala),
  • Hirakud (Odisha), 
  • Bhakra-Nangal (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Tawa
Mangroves
  • Bhitarkanika (Odisha)

Ramsar Sites in India Features

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:

1.   Biodiversity Hotspots Ramsar Sites in India harbor diverse plant and animal species, providing critical habitat for resident and migratory birds, mammals, reptiles, and aquatic life.
2.   Wetland Types India’s Ramsar Sites encompass various wetland types, including lakes, rivers, estuaries, mangrove forests, marshes, swamps, and coastal lagoons, each supporting unique ecosystems.
3.   Mangrove Forests Coastal Ramsar Sites in India feature extensive mangrove forests, offering breeding grounds for fish, acting as coastal erosion buffers, and storing large amounts of carbon.
4.   Aquatic Vegetation Ramsar Sites often showcase lush aquatic vegetation such as water lilies, lotus, reeds, and submerged plants, crucial for maintaining water quality and providing food and shelter.
5.   Migratory Bird Habitats India’s Ramsar Sites serve as critical stopover points for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway, providing food and rest for millions of birds during their journeys.
6.   Endangered Species Some Ramsar Sites house endangered or threatened species, like Keoladeo National Park, a crucial habitat for the endangered Siberian crane.
7.   Cultural Significance Ramsar Sites often hold cultural and historical significance for local communities, integrated into traditional practices and beliefs.
8.   Tourism and Recreation Several Ramsar Sites attract tourists and nature enthusiasts, offering opportunities for birdwatching, boating, fishing, and eco-tourism, contributing to local economies.
9.   Water Supply Ramsar Sites serve as a source of freshwater for nearby communities, necessitating proper management for sustainable clean water supply.
10.    Research and Education Many Ramsar Sites support research and educational activities, serving as living laboratories for studying wetland ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation strategies.
11.    Climate Resilience Wetlands, including Ramsar Sites, play a vital role in climate resilience by absorbing and storing excess water during heavy rainfall and releasing it slowly during dry periods.
12.    Traditional Practices Some Ramsar Sites are managed using traditional and sustainable practices passed down through generations, contributing to the ecological balance of the wetlands.

Importance of Ramsar Sites in India

Ramsar Sites provide multiple benefits, including:

  1. Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting habitats for endangered species and migratory birds.
  2. Water Management: Maintaining groundwater levels and regulating floods.
  3. Livelihood Support: Providing resources like fish, reeds, and water for local communities.
  4. Tourism and Recreation: Promoting eco-tourism and birdwatching.

Efforts Toward Wetland Conservation

Wetlands play a vital role in filtering water, preventing floods, and supporting diverse life forms. They act as carbon sinks, helping to address climate change. They also contribute to the economy through fishing, farming, and tourism. But wetlands are under threat due to pollution and expanding urban areas. Their protection is key to maintaining both environmental balance and economic value. Below are some of the major conservation efforts at different levels:

Global Initiatives

Montreux Record (1990) – This is a list under the Ramsar Convention highlighting wetlands where ecological changes have occurred or are likely due to human activities, pollution, or technological development. It helps identify priority sites for conservation action.

World Wetlands Day – Observed on February 2nd each year, it commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971. The day focuses on spreading awareness of wetlands’ importance and encouraging steps to prevent their degradation.

National Initiatives (India)

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 – These rules set up a structured framework to protect India’s wetlands. They call for the creation of State Wetland Authorities and involve communities in conservation. They also restrict harmful activities that could damage these ecosystems.

National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), 2015 – This integrated plan merged earlier schemes for wetlands and lakes. It aims to protect aquatic ecosystems using a holistic approach, including research, capacity building, and local participation.

Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme, 2023 – This program trains and equips people involved in wetland conservation—government staff, local groups, and practitioners. It supports sustainable practices and emphasizes traditional knowledge in managing wetlands.

National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP), 1987 – This long-running initiative provides financial aid to states to develop and implement wetland management plans. It seeks to stop wetland degradation, restore damaged ecosystems, and increase public and policymaker awareness.

India’s Ramsar Sites demonstrate the country’s dedication to wetland conservation. With 85 Ramsar Sites in 2025, these wetlands not only safeguard biodiversity but also provide essential ecological services. Responsible tourism and community involvement can further enhance their conservation. Visit the official MoEFCC website for the updated Ramsar Sites in India List 2025.

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Ramsar Sites in India FAQs

Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan were the first Ramsar Sites in India, designated in 1982.

 The Sundarbans Wetland in West Bengal is the largest Ramsar Site, covering around 423,000 hectares.

 Renuka Wetland in Himachal Pradesh is the smallest Ramsar Site, spanning just 20 hectares.

 Ramsar Sites are designated through ecological assessments and government nominations, followed by approval from the Ramsar Secretariat.

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