# 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. --- ## FAQs ### How many Ramsar sites are there in India in 2025? There are **91 Ramsar sites** in India as of 2025, covering around **4.3 million hectares**. ### Which state has the highest number of Ramsar sites? **Tamil Nadu** has the highest number of Ramsar sites, with a total of **16**. ### Which was the first Ramsar site in India? The **Chilika Lake (Odisha)** and **Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)** were the first two Ramsar sites designated in **1981**. ### What is the largest Ramsar site in India? The **Sundarbans Wetland (West Bengal)** is the largest Ramsar site in India, covering about **423,000 hectares**. ### What is the Ramsar Convention? The **Ramsar Convention** is an international treaty signed in **1971** in Ramsar, Iran, aimed at conserving and wisely using wetlands worldwide.