Introduction of Ramsar Sites

Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

It was adopted on 2 February 1971 in the city of Ramsar, from which it gets its name.

The convention came into force on 21 December 1975

India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982.

Wetlands designated under this convention are known as Ramsar Sites or Wetlands of International Importance.

Every year, 2 February is celebrated as World Wetlands Day.

Objectives of Ramsar Convention

1. Conservation of wetlands.
2. Wise and sustainable use of wetland resources.
3. Protection of biodiversity and migratory birds.
4. Promotion of international cooperation for wetland management.

Ramsar Sites in India (State-wise) – 100 Sites (2026)

Andhra Pradesh (4)

1. Kolleru Lake
2. Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Atapaka Bird Sanctuary
4. Kolleru Bird Sanctuary

Arunachal Pradesh (1)

1. Pankang Teng Tso

Assam (3)

1. Deepor Beel
2. Maguri-Motapung Beel
3. Tamranga Lake

Bihar (6)

1. Kabar Tal
2. Nagi Bird Sanctuary
3. Nakti Bird Sanctuary
4. Gogabil Lake
5. Gokul Jalashay
6. Udaipur Jheel

Chandigarh (1)

1. Sukhna Lake

Gujarat (4)

1. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
2. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Wadhvana Wetland
4. Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary

Haryana (2)

1. Sultanpur National Park
2. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

Himachal Pradesh (3)

1. Pong Dam Lake
2. Renuka Wetland
3. Chandertal Wetland

Jammu & Kashmir (4)

1. Wular Lake
2. Hokersar Wetland
3. Shallabaugh Wetland
4. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve

Karnataka (4)

1. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
2. Aghanashini Estuary
3. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
4. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve

Kerala (3)

1. Vembanad-Kol Wetland
2. Ashtamudi Wetland
3. Sasthamkotta Lake

Madhya Pradesh (4)

1. Bhoj Wetland
2. Yashwant Sagar
3. Sakhya Sagar
4. Sirpur Wetland

Maharashtra (3)

1. Nandur Madhmeshwar
2. Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary
3. Lonar Lake

Mizoram (1)

1. Palak Dil

Odisha (6)

1. Chilika Lake
2. Bhitarkanika Mangroves
3. Satkosia Gorge
4. Ansupa Lake
5. Tampara Lake
6. Hirakud Reservoir

Punjab (6)

1. Harike Wetland
2. Kanjli Wetland
3. Ropar Wetland
4. Beas Conservation Reserve
5. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve

Rajasthan (4)

1. Keoladeo National Park
2. Sambhar Lake
3. Menar Wetland Complex
4. Khichan Wetland

Tamil Nadu (20)

1. Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary
2. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest
3. Pichavaram Mangroves
4. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
5. Karikili Bird Sanctuary
6. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
7. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
8. Vellode Bird Sanctuary
9. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary
10. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
11. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
12. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex
13. Vembannur Wetland Complex
14. Mannar Marine National Park
15. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
16. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary
17. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
18. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
19. Tiruppudaimaruthur Conservation Reserve
20. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary

Telangana (1)

1. Kinnersani Wildlife Sanctuary

Tripura (1)

1. Rudrasagar Lake

Uttar Pradesh (12)

1. Upper Ganga River
2. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary)
3. Saman Bird Sanctuary
4. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
5. Sandi Bird Sanctuary
6. Sur Sarovar
7. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
8. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Haiderpur Wetland
10. Sarsai Nawar Jheel
11. Surha Tal (100th Ramsar Site)
12. Okhla Bird Sanctuary

Uttarakhand (2)

1. Asan Conservation Reserve
2. Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve

West Bengal (4)

1. East Kolkata Wetlands
2. Sundarban Wetland
3. Rasik Beel
4. Purbasthali Wetland

Goa (1)

1. Nanda Lake

Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance that help conserve biodiversity, maintain ecological balance, support livelihoods, and protect water resources. India is one of the leading countries in wetland conservation, with 100 Ramsar Sites spread across different states and union territories.