How Many Ramsar Sites Are There in India?

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth — they provide water, support wildlife, and help control floods. To protect such valuable ecosystems, the Ramsar Convention was established in 1971, encouraging countries to conserve wetlands of global importance.

India, known for its rich biodiversity, is one of the leading countries actively working to preserve wetlands. If you’re wondering, “How many Ramsar sites are there in India?”, the answer is — India has 91 Ramsar sites as of 2025, covering a total area of around 4.3 million hectares.

Let’s understand what Ramsar sites are, why they matter, and where these sites are located across India.

What Are Ramsar Sites?

Ramsar sites are wetlands that are recognized internationally under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.

The main goal of this treaty is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and ensure that their ecological character is maintained.

In simple terms, a Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance that supports:

Rare or endangered species of plants and animals
Migratory birds and fish
Flood control and groundwater recharge
Livelihoods for local communities

India joined the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982, and since then, it has continued to expand its list of protected wetlands.

Total Number of Ramsar Sites in India (2025)

As of 2025, India has 91 Ramsar Sites, spread across 18 states and two union territories, covering about 4.3 million hectares of area.

This makes India one of the top five countries in the world with the largest number of Ramsar sites.

Growth of Ramsar Sites in India

When India joined the Ramsar Convention in 1982, it had only 6 wetlands recognized as Ramsar sites. Over time, more wetlands were added to the list as India ramped up conservation efforts.

Here’s how the numbers grew over the years:

Year	Number of Ramsar Sites
1982	6
2014	26
2019	37
2022	75
2023	80
2025	91

This rapid increase highlights India’s strong commitment to protecting its wetlands and biodiversity.

Distribution of Ramsar Sites in India

Ramsar sites are spread across almost all regions of the country — from the cold deserts of Ladakh to the mangroves of the Sundarbans and the lakes of Tamil Nadu.

Top States with the Most Ramsar Sites:

State/UT	Number of Ramsar Sites
Tamil Nadu	16
Uttar Pradesh	10
Madhya Pradesh	8
Maharashtra	6
Gujarat	6
Punjab	6
Odisha	5
Jammu & Kashmir	5
Kerala	4
Himachal Pradesh	3
Rajasthan	2
West Bengal	2
Assam	2
Others (Ladakh, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, UTs)	Remaining 14

This shows that Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India.

Some Famous Ramsar Sites in India

Here are some of the most well-known Ramsar sites you should know about:

1. Chilika Lake (Odisha)

Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
Home to migratory birds and the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin.

2. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Known for birdwatching; over 370 species of birds recorded.

3. Loktak Lake (Manipur)

Famous for its floating islands (phumdis).
The only floating national park in the world — Keibul Lamjao National Park.

4. Sundarbans Wetland (West Bengal)

Largest mangrove forest in the world.
Home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.

5. Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir)

One of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes.
Plays a key role in flood control in the Kashmir Valley.

6. Ropar Wetland (Punjab)

Man-made freshwater wetland on the Sutlej River.
Important for fish and migratory birds.

7. Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Kerala)

Largest wetland system in Kerala.
Supports paddy cultivation and inland fisheries.

8. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)

A coastal wetland famous for flamingos and blackbucks.

9. Deepor Beel (Assam)

Major stormwater reservoir for Guwahati.
Important stopover site for migratory birds.

10. Tsomoriri Lake (Ladakh)

High-altitude lake at 4,522 meters.
Breeding ground for the black-necked crane and bar-headed goose.

Importance of Ramsar Sites in India

Ramsar sites play a vital role in India’s environment and economy.

1. Biodiversity Conservation

They protect rare species like the Sarus crane, Gangetic dolphin, and Siberian crane.

2. Climate Regulation

Wetlands act as carbon sinks, absorbing greenhouse gases and reducing climate impacts.

3. Flood and Drought Control

Wetlands store excess rainwater and recharge groundwater during dry seasons.

4. Livelihoods and Tourism

Many wetlands support local fishing, farming, and eco-tourism.

5. Water Purification

They naturally filter pollutants, improving water quality for nearby communities.

India’s Global Contribution

India’s inclusion of 91 Ramsar sites shows its strong commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially:

SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 14: Life Below Water
SDG 15: Life on Land

Through national programs like the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) and the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, India continues to strengthen its wetland management system.

Challenges in Wetland Conservation

Despite progress, wetlands in India face several threats:

Urbanization and encroachment
Pollution from industries and agriculture
Siltation and invasive species
Unregulated tourism and sand mining
Climate change and rising temperatures

These factors make it vital to enforce stricter conservation laws and promote community-based wetland management.

Recent Additions to India’s Ramsar List

India continues to expand its Ramsar network. Some of the recent additions (2023–2025) include:

Yashwant Sagar (Madhya Pradesh)
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
Suchindram-Theroor Wetland (Tamil Nadu)
Satkosia Gorge (Odisha)
Sirpur Lake (Madhya Pradesh)

Each of these sites adds to India’s growing list of internationally recognized wetlands.

Conclusion

To sum up, as of 2025, India has 91 Ramsar sites spread across 18 states and 2 union territories, covering about 4.3 million hectares. From the Chilika Lagoon in the east to the Vembanad Wetlands in the south, these sites are vital for biodiversity, climate balance, and human livelihood.

India’s growing number of Ramsar sites reflects its commitment to sustainable development and ecological preservation, making it one of the global leaders in wetland conservation.

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