Ramsar Sites in India

• Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention
• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands
• The Convention was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and is also known as the Convention on Wetlands
• The aim of the Ramsar Convention is to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve those that remain through wise use and management
• As of 2024, there are 82 Ramsar sites in India

How Wetlands are Chosen as Ramsar Sites

• Wetlands are selected as Ramsar sites based on their ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological significance
• Criteria includes:
  • Representing rare or unique wetland types
  • Supporting vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species
  • Supporting plant or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a region
  • Providing habitat for migratory species
  • Representing important fish breeding grounds or sources of food for migratory routes

List of Ramsar Sites in India

• Andhra Pradesh

  • Kolleru Lake

• Assam

  • Deepor Beel

• Bihar

  • Kabartal Wetland

• Gujarat

  • Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
  • Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Wadhvana Wetland

• Haryana

  • Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Sultanpur National Park

• Himachal Pradesh

  • Chandra Taal
  • Pong Dam Lake
  • Renuka Wetland

• Jammu and Kashmir

  • Hokera Wetland
  • Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve
  • Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve
  • Surinsar-Mansar Lakes
  • Wular Lake

• Karnataka

  • Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

• Kerala

  • Ashtamudi Wetland
  • Sasthamkotta Lake
  • Vembanad-Kol Wetland

• Ladakh

  • Tso Moriri
  • Tsomoriri

• Madhya Pradesh

  • Bhoj Wetland
  • Sakhya Sagar
  • Sirpur Wetland

• Maharashtra

  • Lonar Lake
  • Nandur Madhameshwar

• Manipur

  • Loktak Lake

• Mizoram

  • Pala Wetland

• Odisha

  • Ansupa Lake
  • Bhitarkanika Mangroves
  • Chilika Lake
  • Hirakud Reservoir
  • Tampara Lake

• Punjab

  • Beas Conservation Reserve
  • Harike Lake
  • Kanjli Wetland
  • Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve
  • Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Ropar Wetland

• Rajasthan

  • Keoladeo National Park
  • Sambhar Lake

• Tamil Nadu

  • Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
  • Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
  • Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
  • Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex
  • Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
  • Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
  • Vellode Bird Sanctuary
  • Vembannur Wetland Complex

• Tripura

  • Rudrasagar Lake

• Uttar Pradesh

  • Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Haiderpur Wetland
  • Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
  • Parvati Agra Bird Sanctuary
  • Saman Bird Sanctuary
  • Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
  • Sandi Bird Sanctuary
  • Sarsai Nawar Jheel
  • Soor Sarovar
  • Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)

• Uttarakhand

  • Asan Conservation Reserve

• West Bengal

  • East Kolkata Wetlands
  • Sunderban Wetland

Significance of Ramsar Sites

• International Recognition: Designation as a Ramsar site brings international recognition to the wetland, highlighting its ecological importance
• Conservation Efforts: Facilitates national and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of the wetland
• Ecotourism: Promotes ecotourism, providing economic benefits to local communities while encouraging sustainable practices
• Biodiversity Conservation: Helps in conserving biodiversity by protecting critical habitats for various plant and animal species
• Water Security: Supports water security by maintaining the hydrological functions of wetlands, such as flood control and water purification

Challenges in Managing Ramsar Sites

• Encroachment: Many Ramsar sites face threats from encroachment due to increasing population and developmental activities
• Pollution: Pollution from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and domestic sewage degrades the water quality in wetlands
• Climate Change: Climate change impacts, such as altered precipitation patterns and sea-level rise, threaten the ecological integrity of Ramsar sites
• Invasive Species: Invasive species can disrupt the natural ecosystem and reduce biodiversity
• Lack of Awareness: Insufficient awareness among local communities about the importance of wetlands and their conservation