Ramsar Wetland Sites
Forest & Wildlife · रामसर आर्द्रभूमि स्थल
📋Quick Overview
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation of wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971. India acceded to it in 1982. As of 2023, India has 75 Ramsar sites — the largest number in the world. Wetlands provide critical ecosystem services including flood control, water purification, carbon storage, and habitat for migratory birds and fish. India's first two Ramsar sites were Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo (Bharatpur), both added on October 1, 1981.
India has 75 Ramsar sites (2023) = most in the world. Largest Ramsar site in India = Sundarbans (West Bengal). Smallest = Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh). Chilika Lake (Odisha) = India's largest coastal lagoon and largest saltwater lake.
📖Key Ramsar Sites of India
| Ramsar Site | State | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | India's 1st Ramsar site; largest coastal lagoon; flamingos, Irrawaddy dolphins |
| Keoladeo (Bharatpur) | Rajasthan | India's 1st Ramsar + UNESCO WHS; famous for Siberian cranes (now rare); migratory birds |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | India's largest freshwater lake in NE; phumdis (floating biomass); Keibul Lamjao NP floats on it; Sangai deer |
| Wular Lake | J&K | India's largest freshwater lake; in Kashmir Valley; wetland + fishery |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | Largest Ramsar site in India; mangrove tigers; UNESCO WHS; 75,000+ ha |
| Harike Lake | Punjab | Confluence of Sutlej + Beas rivers; largest wetland in northern India; flamingos + waterfowl |
| Renuka Wetland | Himachal Pradesh | Smallest Ramsar site in India; small natural lake near Nahan; marshy area |
| Nal Sarovar | Gujarat | Flamingos, pelicans; important bird area; large seasonal lake |
📝Ramsar Convention Key Facts
- •Ramsar Convention: Signed 1971, entered into force 1975; India signed 1982; India has 75 sites (2023) = most in any country; Secretariat in Gland, Switzerland
- •Montreux Record: Ramsar sites with urgent conservation problems (degraded or threatened); India's entries: Keoladeo NP (Bharatpur) + Loktak Lake. Chilika was removed from Montreux Record in 2002 after conservation success
- •World Wetlands Day: February 2 (anniversary of Ramsar Convention signing, 1971)