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. Ramsar Sites in India - At a Glance 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 of 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. Understanding Ramsar Sites 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. How a Wetland is Designated 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. Criteria for Designation 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. 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 the 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. Commitments after Designation 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. Did You Know? The First Ramsar Sites 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. State-wise List of Ramsar Sites The table below lists all 103 Ramsar Sites by State and Union Territory, with their key conservation value. Did You Know? The Largest Ramsar Site 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. How Ramsar Sites Aid in Conservation 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, 2017Notified 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 DharoharAmrit 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 CampaignMission 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. Wetlands of India PortalInaugurated 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. Wetland City AccreditationIndore and Udaipur became India’s first Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities in January 2025, joining the global network of Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities. Way Forward 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. For more details, visit https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328132®=48&lang=1 Source: PIB