Ramsar Site – UPSC Environment Notes

• When a nation becomes a party to the Convention, it is required to designate at least one wetland as a Wetland of International Importance. 
• The acknowledgment of a site as a “Ramsar Site” and its inclusion in the List signify the government’s commitment to taking necessary measures for the preservation of its ecological character.
• Globally, there are more than 2,400 Ramsar Sites, covering an extensive area of 2.5 million square kilometers, distributed across the territories of 171 Ramsar Contracting Parties. 
• The inaugural Ramsar Site was the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia, designated in 1974.
• Leading in the number of Ramsar Sites are the United Kingdom, boasting 175 sites, and Mexico, closely following with 142 sites. 
• Bolivia stands out with the largest area under Ramsar protection, showcasing the global significance and widespread commitment to wetland conservation under the Ramsar Convention.

RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA

• India became a Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention, initially signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, with its formal agreement on February 1, 1982. 
• Over the period from 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were incorporated into the Ramsar sites list. However, between 2014 and 2022, 
• India significantly increased its commitment by adding 49 new wetlands to the Ramsar sites list.
• In the year 2022 alone, India expanded its dedication to wetland conservation by including 11 additional sites in the Ramsar list. 
• This brought the total number of Ramsar sites in the country to 75, covering an extensive area of 13,26,677 hectares. 
• Among Indian states, Tamil Nadu leads with the highest number of Ramsar sites (14), followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites.
• The Ramsar Convention, an international treaty, designates wetlands of international importance, emphasizing the conservation and sustainable use of these vital ecosystems. 
• India boasts 75 Ramsar Sites as of May 2023, each recognized for its ecological significance. Below is a comprehensive list detailing these sites.

No.	Ramsar Site	State	Designated Year	Area (km2)
1	Kolleru Lake	Andhra Pradesh	2002	901
2	Deepor Beel	Assam	2002	40
3	Kanwar (Kabar) Taal	Bihar	2020	26.2
4	Nanda Lake	Goa	2022	0.42
5	Khijadia WLS	Gujarat	2021	6
6	Nalsarovar BS	Gujarat	2012	123
7	Thol Lake	Gujarat	2021	6.99
8	Wadhvana Wetland	Gujarat	2021	10.38
9	Bhindawas WLS	Haryana	2021	4.11
10	Sultanpur NP	Haryana	2021	142.5
11	Chandra Taal	Himachal Pradesh	2005	0.49
12	Pong Dam Lake	Himachal Pradesh	2002	156.62
13	Renuka Lake	Himachal Pradesh	2005	0.2
14	Ranganathituu BS	Karnataka	2022	5.18
15	Ashtamudi Wetland	Kerala	2002	614
16	Sasthamkotta Lake	Kerala	2002	3.73
17	Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Longest Lake in India)	Kerala	1905	1512.5
18	Bhoj Wetland	Madhya Pradesh	2002	32
19	Sakhya Sagar	Madhya Pradesh	2022	2.48

11	Chandra Taal	Himachal Pradesh	2005	0.49
12	Pong Dam Lake	Himachal Pradesh	2002	156.62
13	Renuka Lake	Himachal Pradesh	2005	0.2
14	Ranganathituu BS	Karnataka	2022	5.18
15	Ashtamudi Wetland	Kerala	2002	614
16	Sasthamkotta Lake	Kerala	2002	3.73
17	Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Longest Lake in India)	Kerala	1905	1512.5
18	Bhoj Wetland	Madhya Pradesh	2002	32
19	Sakhya Sagar	Madhya Pradesh	2022	2.48
20	Sirpur wetland	Madhya Pradesh	2022	1.61
21	Yashwant Sagar	Madhya Pradesh	2022	8.22
22	Lonar Lake (Impact Crater Lake)	Maharashtra	2020	4.27
23	Nandur Madhameshwar	Maharashtra	2019	14
24	Thane Creek	Maharashtra	2022	65.21
25	Loktak Lake	Manipur	1990	266
26	Pala Wetland	Mizoram	2021	18.5
27	Ansupa Lake	Odisha	2021	2.31
28	Bhitarkanika Mangroves	Odisha	2002	650
29	Chilika Lake (Oldest Ramsar Site in India)	Odisha	1981	1165
30	Hirakud Reservoir	Odisha	2021	654

31	Satkosia Gorge	Odisha	2021	981.97
32	Tampara Lake	Odisha	2021	3
33	Beas CnR	Punjab	2019	64
34	Harike Wetland	Punjab	1990	41
35	Kanjli Wetland	Punjab	2002	1.83
36	Keshopur-Miani CmR	Punjab	2019	34
37	Nangal WLS	Punjab	2019	1
38	Ropar Wetland	Punjab	2002	13.65
39	Keoladeo National Park	Rajasthan	1981	28.73
40	Sambhar Lake	Rajasthan	1990	240
41	Chitrangudi BS	Tamil Nadu	2021	2.6
42	Gulf of Mannar Marine BR	Tamil Nadu	2022	526.72
43	Kanjirankulam BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.96
44	Karikili BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.584
45	Koonthankulam BS	Tamil Nadu	2021	0.72
46	Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest	Tamil Nadu	2022	12.475
47	Pichavaram Mangrove	Tamil Nadu	2022	14.786
48	Point Calimere WLS & BS	Tamil Nadu	2002	385
49	Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.94
50	Udhayamarthandapuram BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.44

51	Vaduvur BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	1.12
52	Vedanthangal BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.4
53	Vellode BS	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.77
54	Vembannur Wetland Complex	Tamil Nadu	2022	0.2
55	Rudrasagar Lake	Tripura	2005	2.4
56	Hokera Wetland	UT of JK	2005	13.75
57	Hygam Wetland CnR	UT of JK	2022	8.02
58	Shallbugh Wetland CnR	UT of JK	2022	16.75
59	Surinsar-Mansar Lakes	UT of JK	2005	3.5
60	Wular Lake	UT of JK	1990	189
61	Tso Kar (High Altitude Ramsar Site)	UT of Ladakh	2020	95.77
62	Tsomoriri (High Altitude Ramsar Site)	UT of Ladakh	2002	120
63	Bakhira WLS	Uttar Pradesh	2021	28.94
64	Haiderpur Wetland	Uttar Pradesh	2021	69
65	Nawabganj BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	2
66	Parvati Arga BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	7
67	Saman BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	5
68	Samaspur BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	8
69	Sandi BS	Uttar Pradesh	2019	3
70	Sarsai Nawar Jheel	Uttar Pradesh	2019	2

71	Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake)	Uttar Pradesh	2020	4.31
72	Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora)	Uttar Pradesh	2005	265.9
73	Asan Barrage	Uttarakhand	2020	4.44
74	East Kolkata Wetlands	West Bengal	2002	125
75	Sundarban Wetland (Largest Ramsar Site)	West Bengal	2019	4230

Smallest Ramsar Sites in India

• Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh with an area of 0.2 km².
• Vembannur Wetland Complex in Tamil Nadu covering 0.2 km².
• Vedanthangal BS in Tamil Nadu with an area of 0.4 km².
• Nanda Lake in Goa spanning 0.42 km².
• Udhayamarthandapuram BS in Tamil Nadu, the area of which is 0.44 km².

Oldest Ramsar Sites in India

• Chilka Lake designated in 1981.
• Keoladeo Ghana National Park, also designated in 1981.

FAQs – Ramsar Sites in India

1-What is a Ramsar Site?

A: A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at recognizing and conserving wetlands of international importance.

2-Why are Ramsar Sites significant for a nation?

A: When a country becomes a party to the Ramsar Convention, it commits to designating at least one wetland as a Wetland of International Importance. This acknowledgment and inclusion in the List demonstrate the government’s commitment to preserving the ecological character of the site.

3-How many Ramsar Sites are there globally?

A: Globally, there are over 2,400 Ramsar Sites, covering approximately 2.5 million square kilometers across 171 Ramsar Contracting Parties. The first Ramsar Site was designated in 1974, covering the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia.

4-Which countries lead in the number of Ramsar Sites?

A: The United Kingdom leads with 175 Ramsar Sites, followed closely by Mexico with 142. Bolivia has the largest area under Ramsar protection, showcasing global commitment to wetland conservation.

5-When did India become a party to the Ramsar Convention?

A: India became a Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982, after initially signing the convention in 1971.

6-How has India’s commitment to Ramsar Sites evolved over the years?

A: Between 1982 and 2013, India incorporated 26 sites into the Ramsar list. From 2014 to 2022, it significantly increased its commitment by adding 49 new wetlands.

7-How many Ramsar Sites are there in India as of May 2023?

A: India has 75 Ramsar Sites as of May 2023, covering an extensive area of 13,26,677 hectares. Tamil Nadu leads among Indian states with 14 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites.

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