Ramsar Wetland Sites in India
Key Takeaway
Wetlands are water-bound ecosystems, ie a piece of land that is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally.
Ramsar Wetland Sites in India
Wetlands are water-bound ecosystems, ie a piece of land that is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. They include mangroves, marshes, rivers, lakes, deltas, floodplains, forests, rice-fields, and even coral reefs.
The destruction of wetlands due to urbanization is a major concern nowadays because they are some of the most productive environments and habitats of the rare species of plants and animals on the planet.
What are Ramsar Sites?
Wetlands of international importanceare known as Ramsar sites. They are selected based on the ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological or hydrological importance.
Ramsar is a city in Iran where an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands was signed onFebruary 2, 1971.
These days, Ramsar Convention has over 2,300 Ramsar Sites, six partner organizations, and171 participating countries.
It should be noted that the Ramsar Convention is not a part of the United Nations.
Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as(5)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ramsar Classification of WetlandsWetlands are classified into 5 types based on hydrology, soil type, and biota. They are:Riverine | wetlands along rivers & streams |
| Lacustrine | wetlands associated with lakes |
| Palustrine | marshes, swamps & bogs |
| Estuarine | deltas, tidal marshes and mudflats, & mangrove swamps |
| Marine | coastal wetlands including coastal lagoons, seagrass beds, rocky shores & coral reefs |
Basic Facts(6)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total No. of Wetlands in India | 96.(as ofDecember2025)First Ramsar Wetland in India– Chilika Lake (1981) |
| Indian State with most no. of Wetlands | Tamil Nadu (20) |
| Largest Ramsar Site Wetland in India | Sundarban Wetlands (4230 sq.km.)Smallest Ramsar Site Wetland in India– Renuka Lake (0.4 sq.km.)First Ramsar Site in the World– Cobourg Peninsula (Australia, 1974) |
| Largest Ramsar Site in the World | Rio Negro (Brazil, 120,000 sq.km.) |
| The country with the highest no. of Ramsar Wetlands Sites | United Kingdom (175) |
| Newest Ramsar Sites in India | Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) & Kopra Reservoir (Chhattisgarh)(as of December 2025)* |
* Time-sensitive data — verify for latest information
List of Ramsar Sites in India(9)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total No.of Wetlands in Kerala | 3Vembanad-Kol WetlandSasthamkotta LakeAshtamudi WetlandAmrit Dharohar Capacity Building SchemeA special scheme announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamanin budget 2023 – 24 for preserving the Ramsar wetland sites in India,to enhance biodiversity, and to generate income for local communities.📝 SideNotes:* |
| World Wetlands Day | February 2 |
| Biota | Plants and animals of a particular habitat or ecosystem |
| Palustrine | Marshy |
| Largest Freshwater Lake in India | Wular Lake |
| Longest Lake in India | Vembanad Lake |
| Largest Mangrove Forest in the World | Sundarbans |
| The Second Largest Mangrove ecosystem in India | Bhitarkanika National Park |
| Keoladeo National Park | Formerly known as Bharatpur Bird sanctuary |
* Time-sensitive data — verify for latest information