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Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

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Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

  • The Ramsar Convention, officially called the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, is the only global treaty dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It provides an international framework for protecting these ecosystems, recognising their crucial role in biodiversity, climate regulation, and human livelihoods.
  • Ramsar is the first of the modern multilateral environmental agreements on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
  • Definition of Wetlands under the Convention
    • The Ramsar Convention adopts a broad definition of wetlands, which includes:
      • Natural Wetlands: Lakes, rivers, underground aquifers, swamps, marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, tidal flats, mangroves, and coral reefs.
      • Human-made Wetlands: Fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans.
  • The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) serves as Depositary1 for the Convention, but the Ramsar Convention is not part of the United Nations and UNESCO system of environmental conventions and agreements.
  • The Convention is responsible only to its Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP), and its day-to-day administration has been entrusted to a Secretariat under the authority of a Standing Committee elected by the COP.
  • The Ramsar Secretariat is hosted under contract by IUCN–the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Gland, Switzerland.

Establishment, History and Membership

  • Adopted: 2 February 1971, in Ramsar, Iran.
  • Came into Force: 21 December 1975.
  • World Wetlands Day: Celebrated annually on 2 February to mark the treaty’s adoption.
  • Membership: Since then, almost 90% of UN member states, from all the world’s geographic regions, have acceded to become “Contracting Parties”.
    • India has been a member since 1 February 1982.

Mission of the Convention

  • The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

Three Pillars of the Convention

Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to:

  • work towards the wise use of all their wetlands;
  • designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management;
  • cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.

Wetlands of International Importance / Ramsar List

  • At the time of joining the Convention, each Contracting Party must designate at least one wetland site within their territory for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”). 
  • These “Ramsar Sites” acquire a new national and international status. They are recognized as being of significant value not only for the country or the countries in which they are located, but for humanity as a whole. 
  • Designation of Ramsar Sites
    • Contracting Parties regularly designate new wetlands for the Ramsar List.
    • They select suitable wetlands for designation by referring to the Criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance
  • Commitment and Protection
    • Listing a site under the Ramsar Convention is a formal government commitment to maintain its ecological character.
    • The treaty includes mechanisms to respond to threats affecting Ramsar Sites, such as the Montreux Record for sites facing significant ecological change.

Who may join the Ramsar Convention?

  •  According to  the Convention on Wetlands, “Any member of the United Nations or of one of the Specialized Agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency or Party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice may become a Party to this Convention”.
  • Unfortunately, supranational bodies, such as the European Community, are not eligible to join the Convention, but may nevertheless develop bilateral working agreements with the Convention Secretariat.

Montreux Record

  • Sites on the List at which changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur can be placed by the Contracting Party concerned on a special register known as the Montreux Record, a list of Ramsar Sites requiring priority conservation attention.
  • In India, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake are the two wetlands currently listed under the Montreux Record. Chilika Lake was previously listed but was later removed after rehabilitation efforts addressed the issues of siltation

International Organization Partners (IOPs) of the Ramsar Convention

  • The Ramsar Convention works in close collaboration with six global non-governmental organizations (NGOs), formally recognized as International Organization Partners (IOPs). These partnerships strengthen the Convention’s global reach and effectiveness in wetland conservation.
  • List of IOPs
    • BirdLife International – A global partnership of conservation organizations focused on protecting birds and their habitats.
    • IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature – Provides scientific data and technical advice on nature conservation.
    • Wetlands International – Dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands.
    • WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) – Works globally to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to biodiversity.
    • International Water Management Institute (IWMI) – focuses on sustainable water and land management.
    • Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) – specializes in wetland conservation and education.
  • Role and Contributions of IOPs
    • Provide technical expertise and scientific advice to the Convention.
    • Support on-ground implementation of wetland conservation projects.
    • Contribute financial assistance at global, regional, and national levels.
    • Promote and apply the wise use principles of the Ramsar Convention in their own programs.
    • Participate as observers in all major Ramsar meetings, including the Conference of the Parties (COP), Standing Committee, and the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP).

India and the Ramsar Convention

  • Membership & Evolution
    • India became a party to the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982, committing to the conservation and wise use of wetlands. 
    • First Ramsar Sites (1981): Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were the earliest designated wetlands of international importance for India. 
  • Current Status (2025)
    • Total Ramsar Sites in India: As of June–July 2025, India has a total of 91 Ramsar Sites, making it the country with the highest number in Asia. 
    • Leading State: Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India with 20 Ramsar Sites
  • Largest Ramsar Site: Sunderbans Wetland, West Bengal.
  • Smallest Ramsar Site: Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh.
  • Recent Additions (2025)
    • June 2025 Additions: Khichan (Phalodi) and Menar (Udaipur) in Rajasthan were designated Ramsar Sites, boosting India’s total to 91. 
    • February 2025 Additions: Four additional sites were designated—Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary and Therthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu; Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim; and Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand.    
  • Special Recognitions
    • Ramsar Wetland Cities: Udaipur and Indore have been accredited as India’s first “Ramsar Wetland Cities,” a global designation integrating urban development with wetland conservation

Ramsar Sites in India

S.No.Ramsar SiteStateYear
1Kolleru LakeAndhra Pradesh2002
2Deepor BeelAssam2002
3Kanwar (Kabar) TaalBihar2020
4Nanda LakeGoa2022
5Khijadia WLSGujarat2021
6Nalsarovar BSGujarat2012
7Thol LakeGujarat2021
8Wadhvana WetlandGujarat2021
9Bhindawas WLSHaryana2021
10Sultanpur NPHaryana2021
11Chandra TaalHimachal Pradesh2005
12Pong Dam LakeHimachal Pradesh2002
13Renuka LakeHimachal Pradesh2005
14Ranganathituu BSKarnataka2022
15Magadi Kere Conservation ReserveKarnataka2024
16Ankasamudra Bird Conservation ReserveKarnataka2024
17Aghanashini EstuaryKarnataka2024
18Ashtamudi WetlandKerala2002
19Sasthamkotta LakeKerala2002
20Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Longest Lake in India)Kerala1905
21Bhoj WetlandMadhya Pradesh2002
22Sakhya SagarMadhya Pradesh2022
23Sirpur wetlandMadhya Pradesh2022
24Yashwant SagarMadhya Pradesh2022
25Lonar Lake (Impact Crater Lake)Maharashtra2020
26Nandur MadhameshwarMaharashtra2019
27Thane CreekMaharashtra2022
28Loktak LakeManipur1990
29Pala WetlandMizoram2021
30Ansupa LakeOdisha2021
31Bhitarkanika MangrovesOdisha2002
32Chilika Lake (Oldest Ramsar Site in India)Odisha1981
33Hirakud ReservoirOdisha2021
34Satkosia GorgeOdisha2021
35Tampara LakeOdisha2021
36Beas CnRPunjab2019
37Harike WetlandPunjab1990
38Kanjli WetlandPunjab2002
39Keshopur-Miani CmRPunjab2019
40Nangal WLSPunjab2019
41Ropar WetlandPunjab2002
42Keoladeo National ParkRajasthan1981
43Sambhar LakeRajasthan1990
44Chitrangudi BSTamil Nadu2021
45Gulf of Mannar Marine BRTamil Nadu2022
46Kanjirankulam BSTamil Nadu2022
47Karikili BSTamil Nadu2022
48Koonthankulam BSTamil Nadu2021
49Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve ForestTamil Nadu2022
50Pichavaram MangroveTamil Nadu2022
51Point Calimere WLS & BSTamil Nadu2002
52Suchindram Theroor Wetland ComplexTamil Nadu2022
53Udhayamarthandapuram BSTamil Nadu2022
54Vaduvur BSTamil Nadu2022
55Vedanthangal BSTamil Nadu2022
56Vellode BSTamil Nadu2022
57Vembannur Wetland ComplexTamil Nadu2022
58Karaivetti Bird SanctuaryTamil Nadu2024
59Longwood Shola Reserve ForestTamil Nadu2024
60Rudrasagar LakeTripura2005
61Hokera WetlandUT of JK2005
62Hygam Wetland CnRUT of JK2022
63Shallbugh Wetland CnRUT of JK2022
64Surinsar-Mansar LakesUT of JK2005
65Wular LakeUT of JK1990
66Tso Kar (High Altitude Ramsar Site)UT of Ladakh2020
67Tsomoriri (High Altitude Ramsar Site)UT of Ladakh2002
68Bakhira WLSUttar Pradesh2021
69Haiderpur WetlandUttar Pradesh2021
70Nawabganj BSUttar Pradesh2019
71Parvati Arga BSUttar Pradesh2019
72Saman BSUttar Pradesh2019
73Samaspur BSUttar Pradesh2019
74Sandi BSUttar Pradesh2019
75Sarsai Nawar JheelUttar Pradesh2019
76Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake)Uttar Pradesh2020
77Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora)Uttar Pradesh2005
78Asan BarrageUttarakhand2020
79East Kolkata WetlandsWest Bengal2002
80Sundarban Wetland (Largest Ramsar Site in India)West Bengal2019
81Nagi Bird SanctuaryBihar2009
82Nakti Bird SanctuaryBihar1984
83Kazhuveli Bird SanctuaryTamil Nadu2024
84Nanjarayan Bird SanctuaryTamil Nadu2024
85Tawa ReservoirMadhya Pradesh2024
86Therthangal Bird SanctuaryTamil Nadu2025
87Sakkarakottai Bird SanctuaryTamil Nadu2025
88Khecheopalri WetlandSikkim2025
89Udhwa LakeJharkhand2025
90KhichanRajasthan2025
91MenarRajasthan2025

Newly Added Ramsar Sites

92 Gokul Jalashay  Bihar    2025

93 Udaipur Jheel    Bihar     2025

94 Gogabeel Lake   Bihar     2025

95 Siliserh Lake     Rajasthan  2025

96 Kopra Jalashay Chhattisgarh 2025

97 Patna Bird Sanctuary  Uttar Pradesh 2026

98 Chhari-Dhand   Gujarat   2026 

Ramsar Sites in India Statewise

S.No.State/UTNo. of SitesRamsar Sites
1.  Andhra Pradesh1Kolleru Lake
2.  Assam1Deepor Beel
3.  Bihar3

Kanwar Lake

Nagi Bird Sanctuary

Nakti Bird Sanctuary

4.  Goa1Nanda Lake
5.  Gujarat4

Khijadiya

Nalsarovar

Thol Lake 

Wadhvana Wetland

6.  Haryana2

Sultanpur National Park, 

Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

7.  Himachal Pradesh3

Chandra Taal

Pong Dam Lake, 

Renuka Lake

8.  Jammu and Kashmir5

Hokersar Wetland,

 Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve,

Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve, 

Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, 

Wular Lake

9.  Karnataka4

Aghanashini Estuary

Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve

Ranganathittu BS

Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve

10.   Kerala3

Ashtamudi Wetland, 

Sasthamkotta Lake, 

Vembanad-Kol Wetland

11.   Ladakh2

Tso Kar, 

Tsomoriri Lake

12.   Madhya Pradesh5

Bhoj Wetland, 

Sakhya Sagar, 

Sirpur Lake, 

Yashwant Sagar

Tawa River

13.   Maharashtra3

Lonar Lake, 

Nandur Madhameshwar, 

Thane Creek

14.   Manipur1Loktak Lake
15.   Mizoram1Pala Wetland
16.   Odisha6

Ansupa Lake,

Bhitarkanika Mangroves, 

Chilika Lake,

 Hirakud Reservoir, 

Satkosia Gorge, 

Tampara Lake

17.   Punjab6

Beas Conservation Reserve,

 Harike Wetland,

 Kanjli Wetland, 

Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve,

 Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, 

Ropar Wetland

18.   Rajasthan4

Keoladeo National Park,

 Sambhar Lake

Khichan

Menar

19.   Tamil Nadu20

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.   Tripura1Rudrasagar Lake
21.   Uttar Pradesh10

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.   Uttarakhand1Asan Barrage
23.   West Bengal2

East Kolkata Wetlands, 

Sundarban Wetland

24.   Sikkim1Khecheopalri Wetland
25.   Jharkhand1Udhwa Lake

Newly Added Ramsar Sites

92 Gokul Jalashay  Bihar    2025

93 Udaipur Jheel    Bihar     2025

94 Gogabeel Lake   Bihar     2025

95 Siliserh Lake     Rajasthan  2025

96 Kopra Jalashay Chhattisgarh 2025

97 Patna Bird Sanctuary  Uttar Pradesh 2026

98 Chhari-Dhand   Gujarat   2026 

Importance of Ramsar Convention

  • Protects wetlands that are critical for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  • Helps combat climate change through carbon storage in peatlands and mangroves.
  • Ensures sustainable use for livelihoods, agriculture, and fisheries.
  • Enhances international cooperation in managing transboundary wetlands.

The Ramsar Convention remains a cornerstone of global wetland conservation, uniting countries in the shared goal of safeguarding these vital ecosystems. For India, being a Contracting Party has not only improved wetland protection at home but also strengthened its commitment to global biodiversity and climate goals.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar Convention is a global treaty adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Q2. When did India join the Ramsar Convention?

India became a member on 1 February 1982.

Q3. How many Ramsar Sites are there in India?

As of 2025, India has 80 Ramsar Sites, covering over 1.33 million hectares.

Q4. Which was India’s first Ramsar Site?

Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan were designated in 1981.

Q5. Which is the largest Ramsar Site in India?

The Sunderbans Wetland in West Bengal is the largest Ramsar Site in India.

Q6. Which is the smallest Ramsar Site in India?

The Renuka Wetland in Himachal Pradesh is the smallest Ramsar Site.

Q7. What is the Montreux Record?

It is a register of Ramsar Sites where ecological changes have occurred or are likely to occur. In India, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake are listed.

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