Ramsar wetlands sites in India - [Updated]
- India ratified the Ramsar Convention on 1st February, 1982.
- India has so far declared 80 wetlands as Ramsar sites covering 23 states and Union Territories. (Up to March 2024).
- The total area covered by all Ramsar Sites in India amounts 1.33 sq. km.
- Tamil Nadu (16 Ramsar Sites) has the maximum number of Ramsar Sites in India followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 Ramsar Sites).
- India has largest network of Ramsar Sites in Asia.
Mission Sahabhagita: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched Mission Sahbhagita in 2022 with a mission of ‘a healthy and effectively managed network of 75 wetlands of national and international significance.
| Ramsar Site | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Chandratal Lake Himachal Pradesh Natural Freshwater | Situated in Spiti area of Lahaul & Spiti at Samudra Tapu Plateau. It is source of Chandra River (One of the headwaters of Chenab River, Chenab is the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers).It is a High altitude lake on the upper Chandra valley near the Kunzam Pass joining Himalayan and Pir Panjal ranges. |
| 2. Pong Dam Lake Himachal Pradesh Freshwater Manmade reservoir | A water storage reservoir created in 1975 on the Beas River in the low foothills of the Himalaya on the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic plain. |
| 3. Renuka Wetland Himachal Pradesh Natural Freshwater | It is a wetland with springs and inland subterranean karst formations, fed by a small stream flowing from the lower Himalayan to the Giri river. The lake has high religious significance and is named after the mother of Hindu sage Parshuram, and is thus visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists. |
| 4. Chilika Lake Odisha Natural Lagoon, Brackish Water | A brackish lake separated from the Bay of Bengal by a long sandy ridge. One of the only two lagoons with a population of Irrawaddy dolphins |
| 5. Bhitarkanika Wetlands Odisha Natural mangrove swamps | One of the finest remaining patches of mangrove forests along the Indian coast.The site’s Gahirmatha beach is said to host the largest known Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting beach in the world, with half a million nesting annually, and the site has the highest density of saltwater crocodiles in the country. |
| 6. Deepor Beel Assam Natural Freshwater | A permanent freshwater lake in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River. It is only major stormwater storage basin for the city of Guwahati. It is a staging site on migratory flyways. |
| 7. East Calcutta Wetlands West Bengal | World-renowned as a model of a multiple-use wetland. The wetland forms an urban facility for treating the city’s wastewater & utilizing the treated water for pisciculture and agricultureThe system is described as one of the rare examples of environmental protection and development management where a complex ecological process has been adopted by the local farmers for mastering the resource recovery activities. |
| 8. Sundarbans Wetland West Bengal Natural | Located in the delta of Rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra on Bay of Bengal in India & Bangladesh. Largest mangrove forest in the world. Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is situated within the Site and part of it has been declared a “critical tiger habitat” and also a “Tiger Conservation Landscape” of global importance. Important species: Critically endangered northern river terrapin (Batagurbaska), endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, and vulnerable fishing cat .It is listed as World Heritage Site and also in UNESCO Biosphere Reserve |
| 9. Harike Lake Punjab Manmade Freshwater | Harike Lake is a shallow water reservoir with thirteen islands, at the confluence of two rivers, i.e., Beas and Sutlej.Indira Gandhi Canal starts from this place. |
| 10. Kanjli Punjab Manmade reservoir, Freshwater | It is a man-made wetland, with a permanent stream, the Kali Bein, a tributary of Beas River.The stream is considered to be the most significant in the state from the religious point of view, as it is associated with the first guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. |
| 11. Ropar Lake Punjab Manmade Freshwater | A wetland of lake and river formed by the 1952 construction of a barrage for diversion of water from the Sutlej River.The site is an important breeding place for the nationally protected Smooth Indian Otter, Hog Deer, Sambar, and several reptiles. |
| 12. Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan Manmade Freshwater Swamps | It is in Montreaux Record since 1990 due to “water shortage and an unbalanced grazing regime”.The invasive growth of the grass Paspalum distichum has changed the ecological character of large areas of the site.Included as World Heritage Site. Siberian Crane is found here. |
| 13. Sambhar Lake Rajasthan Natural Saline | A large lake fed by four streams set in a shallow wetland and subject to seasonal fluctuations. (Inland drainage)The site is important for a variety of wintering waterbirds, including second largest breeding ground for flamingos in India. |
| 14. Kolleru Lake Andhra Pradesh Natural Freshwater | A eutrophic lake, situated between basins of Godavari and Krishna rivers. Known for its spot-billed pelicans sighting. |
| 15. Loktak Lake Manipur Natural Freshwater | This lake was added to Montreux Record in 1993 as a result of ecological problems such as deforestation in the catchment area, an infestation of water hyacinths, and pollution. Thick, floating mats of weeds covered with soil (phumdis) are a characteristic feature |
| 16. Nalsarovar Gujarat Natural Freshwater | Largest natural wetland in the Thar Desert Biogeographic Province .It is an important stopover site within the Central Asia Flyway, with globally threatened species such as the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing.Lifeline for a satellite population of the endangered Indian Wild Ass. |
| 17. Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Coastal Swamps & saltpans | The spread of Prosopischilensis (Chilean mesquite), increasingly brackish groundwater caused by expansion of the historical salt works and decreasing inflow of freshwater are all seen as potential causes for concern. Visitors come to the site both for recreation and for pilgrimage, as it is associated with Lord Rama. |
| 18. Sasthamkotta Lake Kerala Natural Freshwater Lake | The largest freshwater lake in Kerala.The water contains no common salts or other minerals and supports no water plants; a larva called “cavaborus” abounds and eliminates bacteria in the water, thus contributing to its exceptional purity. |
| 19. Vembanad-Kol Wetland Kerala Natural Brackish water | Largest brackish, humid tropical wetland ecosystem on the southwest coast of IndiaLongest lake in India. |
| 20. Ashtamudi Wetland Kerala Natural Brackish | An extensive estuarine system, the second largest in Kerala State. The site supports several mangrove species. |
| 21. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes Jammu & Kashmir Natural Freshwater | It is a composite lake in semi-arid Panjab Plains, adjoining the Jhelum Basin |
| 22. Wular Lake Jammu & Kashmir Natural Freshwater | Largest freshwater lake in India with extensive marshes of emergent and floating vegetationFed by Jhelum River. |
| 23. Hokera Wetland Jammu & Kashmir Natural Freshwater | Located in the northwest Himalayan biogeographic province of Kashmir, back of the snow-draped Pir Panjal. |
| 24. Tso Moriri Jammu & Kashmir Natural Freshwater to brackish | A freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595m above sea level.The site is said to represent the only breeding ground outside of China for one of the most endangered cranes, the Black-necked crane, and the only breeding ground for Bar-headed geese in India. |
| 25. Bhoj Wetland Madhya Pradesh Manmade Freshwater | Two contiguous human-made reservoirs – “Upper Lake” was created in 11th century by construction of an earthen dam across Kolans River, and lower was constructed nearly 200 years ago, and is surrounded by Bhopal city. |
| 26. Upper Ganga River Uttar Pradesh River stretch Freshwater | A shallow river stretch of the great Ganges with intermittent small stretches of deep-water pools and reservoirs upstream from barrages.Provides habitat for Ganges River Dolphin, Gharial, Crocodile. |
| 27. Rudra Sagar Lake Tripura Natural Freshwater | A lowland sedimentation reservoir in the northeast hills, fed by three perennial streams discharging to the River Gomti. |
| 28. Nandur Madhameshwar Maharashtra Manmade Freshwater | First Ramsar site in MaharashtraDeveloped by making a low dam at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadwa Rivers.Habitat of critically endangered species including Deolali minnow (a fish), Indian vulture and white-rumped vulture. |
| 29. Saman Bird Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh Natural Freshwater | Seasonal oxbow lake on the Ganges floodplain.Host over 1% of the South Asian population of graylag goose during winter. |
| 30. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh Natural Freshwater | Shallow wetland fed by monsoon rain and Sarda canal. Known to host Siberian cranes during winter. |
| 31. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh Natural Freshwater | Perennial lowland marsh typical of the Indo-Gangetic PlainsHarbours threatened species such as the endangered Egyptian vulture, Pallas’s fish eagle and vulnerable common Pochard. |
| 32. Sandi Bird Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh Natural Freshwater | A freshwater marsh. Important Bird Area, declared by Birdlife International.River Garra passes near the sanctuary.It hosts common teal, red-crested pochard and ferruginous duck along with vulnerable sarus crane. |
| 33. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh Natural Freshwater | Permanent freshwater environment consisting of two oxbow lakes.Species: critically endangered white-rumped vulture and Indian vulture and the endangered Egyptian vulture. |
| 34. Sarsai Nawar Jheel Uttar Pradesh Natural Freshwater | Fed by precipitation run-off from the Southwest monsoon rains. Recognized as Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. Species: vulnerable sarus crane, critically endangered whiterumped vulture and endangered woolly-necked stork. |
| 35. Beas Conservation Reserve Punjab Natural Freshwater | It is a 185-kilometre stretch of the Beas River majorly in Punjab.Hosts the only known population in India of the endangered Indus river dolphin.Other Important species: endangered mahseer and hog deer as well as the vulnerable smooth coated otter. |
| 36. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary Punjab Manmade Freshwater | Located in Shiwalik foothills of Punjab. Occupies a human-made reservoir constructed as part of the Bhakra-Nangal Project on Sutlej River in 1961. Historic importance – Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers formalized the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” there in 1954. |
| 37. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve Punjab Natural Freshwater | Mosaic of natural marshes, aquaculture ponds and agricultural wetlands maintained by the annual rainfall runoff. The Site is an example of wise use of a community-managed wetland, which provides food for people and supports local biodiversity. Species: vulnerable common pochard and the endangered spotted pond turtle. |
| 38. Tso Kar Wetland Complex UT of Ladakh Natural; One lake saline & one freshwater | Tso Kar Basin is in a high-altitude wetland complex. It consists of two main waterbodies Startsapuk Tso and Tso Kar. The Startsapuk Tso is a freshwater lake of 438 hectares to the south. Tso Kar lake is a hypersaline lake of 1800 hectares. Most important breeding areas of the Black necked Cranes in India. |
| 39. Lonar Lake Maharashra Created by meteorite impact (Natural) Saline | Scientists in the 1970s, confirmed the presence of Maskelynite—a naturally occurring glass that is only formed by extremely high-velocity impacts. Formed 35,000 to 50,000 years ago, Lonar is the only “fresh” impact structure in basalt on Earth, making it an important analog for impact craters on the surface of the Moon. |
| 40. Sur Sarovar Uttar Pradesh Manmade Freshwater | Also known as Keetham Lake, created by British to supply water to Agra city. Important for Greater spotted eagle, sarus crane and catfish Wallago attu. |
| 41. Asan Conservation reserve Uttarakhand Natural Freshwater | Stretch of Asan river running down to its confluence with Yamuna River in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Birds spotted: Red-headed vulture (IUCN status: Critically Endangered), White-rumped vulture, Baer’s pochard.Red crested pochard, ruddy shelduck and Putitor mahseer (IUCN status: Endangered) are also found here. |
| 42. Kabartal Wetland Bihar Natural Freshwater | Also known as Kanwar Jheel, located in Indo-Gangetic plains. Five critically endangered species inhabit the site, including three vultures – the red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture and Indian vulture – and two waterbirds, the sociable lapwing and Baer’s pochard. |
| 43. Wadhvana Wetland Gujarat Manmade Freshwater | This reservoir was created in 1910 by former Baroda State (King Gaikwad). River Orsang (which joins with Narmada River at Chandod) flows into the lake. It also provides irrigation to 25 villages. |
| 44. Thol Lake Gujarat Manmade Freshwater | Located in Mehsana district of Gujarat. It is a shallow freshwater reservoir and a predominantly open water area. It is a man-made wetland, was originally constructed for irrigation in 1912. |
| 45. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary Haryana Manmade Freshwater | Located in Jhajjar district, Haryana. Largest wetland in Haryana. |
| 46. Sultanpur National Park Haryana Natural Freshwater | Located in Gurgaon district of Haryana close to National capital and Aravalli range. |
| 47. Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Gujarat | A bird sanctuary located in Jamnagar district near the Gulf of Kutch. This wetland was formed was formed following the creation of a bund (dike) in 1920 to protect farmland from saltwater ingress. The sanctuary is unique having freshwater lakes, salt and freshwater marshlands. Flora: Supports the critically endangered Guggal Tree. Fauna: Endangered Pallas’s fish-eagle, Endangered Indian skimmer, vulnerable common pochard, Dalmatian pelican, Greylag goose. |
| 48. Haiderpur Wetland Uttar Pradesh Manmade Freshwater | Manmade wetland formed in 1984 due to construction of Madhya Ganga Barrage on a floodplain of the Ganga River. |
| 49. Bakhira Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh Natural Freshwater | Largest natural flood plain (river connected wetland) of India in Sant Kabir Nagar district in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. A prominent waterbird found in the lake is Indian Purple moorhen or Purple Swamphen & Sarus Crane. Receives water from Ami River; discharge from its flows into Rapti River. It is rich in perennial reed grasses called Phragmites which attracts many species of the Central Asian Flyway. |
| 50. Tampara lake Odisha Natural Freshwater | Freshwater lake in Odisha. Important habitat for vulnerable species such as Cyprinus carpio, common pochard, and river tern (Sterna aurantia). |
| 51. Hirakud reservoir Odisha Manmade Freshwater | Largest earthen dam in Odisha on Mahanadi River. |
| 52. Anshupa lake Odisha Natural Freshwater | Largest freshwater lake in Odisha It is an oxbow lake formed by River Mahanadi. Provides a safe habitat to at least three threatened bird species- Indian Skimmer, Black Bellied Tern and Wagur (fish). |
| 53. Yashwant Sagar Madhya Pradesh Manmade Freshwater | One of the two Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the Indore region as well as one of the most important birding sites in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. It is a stronghold of the vulnerable Sarus Crane in central India. |
| 54. Chitrangda Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | Locally known as “Chitrangda Kanmoli” is in Ramavataram district in Tamil Nadu. Notable waterbirds: Spot-billed pelican, little egret, grey heron, large egret, open billed stork, purple, and pond herons. |
| 55. Suchindrum Theroor Wetland complex Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | Part of Suchindrum-Theroor Manakudi Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu. The Wetland Complex lies at the point of the Kodaiyar river drainage system. This is a man-made, inland Tank and is perennial. |
| 56. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | Composed of small man-made reservoirs interconnected by an ancient network of canals and fed by Mettur reservoir, in the district of Thiruvarur. Tamil Nadu |
| 57. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | Located in Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. Notable as a nesting site for several migratory heron species. An IBA as the threatened Spot-billed Pelican breeds here. Supports IUCN Red List vulnerable avian species like River Tern. |
| 58. Thane Creek Maharashtra Natural Brackish | Located in near Mumbai in Maharashtra. Thane Creek falls under Marine Ecoregions of the World (MEOW). Declared as Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. An important part of the wetland complex of the Central Asian Flyway of the birds and has been categorized as an Important Bird Area (IBA). |
| 59. Hygam Wetland Jammu & Kashmir Natural Freshwater | Falls within the River Jhelum basin and is in the Baramulla district. It lies downstream of another Ramsar Site (Wular Lake) |
| 60. Shallabug Wetland Conservation Reserve Jammu & Kashmir Natural Freshwater | Located in Srinagar district on floodplains of River Jhelum. Lies close to another Ramsar Site, Hokera Wetland. |
| 61. Sirpur wetlands Madhya Pradesh Natural Freshwater | Human-made wetland that has stabilized and acquired near-natural characteristics in the last two centuries. The Site is a shallow, alkaline, nutrient-rich lake that floods during the monsoon to a maximum depth of two meters. |
| 62. Sakhya Sagar Madhya Pradesh Manmade Freshwater | A human-made reservoir on the outskirts of Shivpuri town within Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh. |
| 63. Ranganthittu Karnataka Natural Freshwater | Part of Kaveri River on Southern Deccan Plateau. The Site is an ecologically important riverine wetland and supports healthy populations of mugger crocodile, smooth-coated otter and hump-backed mahseer. |
| 64. Nanda Lake Goa Natural Freshwater | Comprises intermittent freshwater marshes that lie adjacent to one of the major tributaries of Zuari River, Goa. Goa’s First Ramsar Site. |
| 65. Pala wetland Mizoram Natural Freshwater | Largest natural wetland in the state of Mizoram. Various species of primate inhabit the wetland, such endangered Hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) and Phayre’s leaf monkey. |
| 66. Satkosia Gorge Odisha Natural Freshwater | Satkosia Gorge is created by Mahanadi River as it passes through the Eastern Ghats in Angul district of Odisha. Part of the Satkosia Tiger Reserve. It is a mosaic of rivers, marshes and evergreen forests at the meeting point of two biogeographic regions, the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats. |
| 67. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere reserve Tamil Nadu Coast Natural Saline | Located at the south-eastern tip of India. First Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia. Also recognised as a World Heritage Site. Globally threatened species include the dugong (Dugong dugon), whale shark, green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. |
| 68. Pichavaram mangrove Tamil Nadu Natural Brackish | One of the largest mangrove ecosystems in India, located between the estuaries of Vellar and Coleroon Rivers. Supports several threatened species such as critically endangered great white-bellied heron and spoon-billed sandpiper, endangered spotted greenshank and vulnerable olive ridley turtle. |
| 69. Karikili Bird sanctuary Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | Comprises of two rain-fed non-perennial irrigation tanks in Tamil Nadu. |
| 70. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest Tamil Nadu Natural Brackish | This freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland serves as an aquatic buffer of the flood-prone Chennai and Chengalpattu districts. The diverse ecosystem of the marshland supports notable species such as Russell’s viper and birds such as the glossy ibis. |
| 71. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | The Sanctuary consists of human-made irrigation tanks, interconnected by an ancient network of canals and fed by Mettur dam through the Koraiyar canal. |
| 72. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | A small irrigation tank in Vedanthangal village surrounded by rocky plains and low-ridged, denuded hillocks in Tamil Nadu. |
| 73. Vellode Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | Located in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. It is an important staging and breeding ground for migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway. |
| 74. Vembannur Wetland Complex Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | Human-made irrigation tank situated near the southernmost point of mainland India. An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). |
| 75. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Manmade Freshwater | Consists of irrigation tanks interconnected by a network of canals built a few centuries ago and fed by the rivers originating from the Western Ghats mountain range. This wetland is the largest reserve for breeding resident and migratory waterbirds in South India. Notable waterbird species include Indian pond heron, Eurasian wigeon, spot-billed pelican, oriental darter and Northern pintail. |
| 76. Karaivatti Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu | One of largest inland wetlands of Tamil Nadu. During the driest period, water from the Mettur dam on Cauvery River is used to maintain water level of this site. One of the largest congregations of waterbirds in Tamil Nadu. Provides important stopover and foraging ground for bird migrating along the Central Asian Flyway. Gum Arabic tree (Acacia nilotica) provides roosting and nesting grounds for threatened species such as spotted eagle, tawny eagle and Indian darter. When the water level starts receding after January, larger birds such as painted stork flock here. Breeding habitat for vulnerable Indian flap-shelled turtle. |
| 77. Madai Kere Conservation Reserve Karnataka Manmade Freshwater | Constructed to store rainwater for irrigation purposes in Gadag district of Karnataka. Water in the wetland have overtime become increasingly alkaline and unsuitable for irrigation. Species: two vulnerable species, namely Common pochard and River tern and four near-threatened species, namely Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Wooly-necked Stork, Northern Shoveler and Painted Stork. One of the largest wintering grounds for Bar-headed goose in South India. Designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBBA). |
| 78. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest Tamil Nadu Natural Freshwater | Intermittent freshwater marshes and streams nested within a ‘shola’, tropical montane forest located on the eastern slope of Nilgiri mountain range. This site has high endemism, with multiple species of trees, reptiles, frogs and birds. Noteworthy plant species at the site include Bourne’s beak-rusk and Wight’s cinnamon. Species: Globally endangered Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin and vulnerable Nilgiri wood-pigeon. 14 out of 26 endemic bird species of Western Ghats are found in these wetlands. |
| 79. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve Karnataka Manmade Freshwater | A manmade village irrigation tank built for storing monsoon run-off water coming from the Tungabhadra River near Hampi in Karnataka. Several thousands of Gum Arabic trees (locally known as Karijali) are found growing from the lakebed. These trees provide nesting and roosting habitat for large colonial waterbirds. Species: Birst such as Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis; Nine endemic fish species. Ex. Tiger loach, Aruli barb and Nukta etc. Excessive growth of invasive alligator weed, shrub Prosopis juliflora and African Catfish threaten the native fish and waterbirds. |
| 80. Aghanashini Estuary Karnataka Natural Brackish | Estuary built at the confluence of Aghanashini River & Arabian Sea. Brackish water from the estuary provides diverse ecosystem services including flood and erosion risk mitigation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood support. Provides livelihood to 6000-7500 families by supporting fishing, agriculture, collection of edible bivalves and crabs, shrimp aquaculture, traditional fish farming in the estuarine rice fields (locally known as Gazni rice fields), bivalve shell collection and salt production. Mangroves bordering the estuary help to protect the shores against storms and cyclones. Species: Including River tern , Oriental darter, Lesser black-backed gull, Wooly necked stork, Eurasian oystercatcher etc. |
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