EnvironmentAugust 16, 2026

Ramsar Sites in India 2026: Complete State-wise List of 101 Sites, Montreux Record & UPSC Notes

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UPSC Planner Editorial Team

Summary

A comprehensive guide to all 101 Ramsar Sites in India as of August 2026, covering the complete state-wise directory, Montreux Record, Wetland City Accreditation, and high-yield Prelims facts for UPSC CSE.

Wetlands are among the world's most productive ecosystems, often described as the "Kidneys of the Earth" for their natural water-filtering capabilities and "Biological Supermarkets" for the extensive food webs they support.

Under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971), wetlands of international importance are designated to promote their conservation and "wise use". India deposited its instrument of accession on 1 October 1981, with the convention formally entering into force for India on 1 February 1982.

As of August 2026, India has 101 designated Ramsar Sites (spanning over 1.35 million hectares), forming the largest wetland conservation network in South Asia. Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh became India's 101st Ramsar Site and the state's first on 3 August 2026 (announced via PIB PRID: 2294036).

For UPSC Prelims and Mains (GS Paper III), questions on Ramsar sites frequently test state-wise locations, associated river systems, Montreux Record entries, endangered indicator species, and domestic regulatory frameworks.

1. Ramsar Convention: Core Concepts & 9 Criteria

A. What is the Ramsar Convention?

  • Origin: Signed on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
  • World Wetlands Day: Celebrated globally every year on 2 February to mark the adoption of the convention.
  • Secretariat: Functions as an independent treaty secretariat whose administrative and bureau functions are hosted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.
  • The "Wise Use" Principle: Defined as "the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development."

B. The 9 Criteria for Ramsar Designation

A wetland is identified as internationally important if it meets at least one of the 9 criteria established by the Ramsar Convention:

  1. Criterion 1 (Representative/Unique): Contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type.
  2. Criterion 2 (Vulnerable Species): Supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
  3. Criterion 3 (Biodiversity Support): Supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining regional biodiversity.
  4. Criterion 4 (Critical Life Stages): Supports species at a critical stage in their life cycles or provides refuge during adverse conditions.
  5. Criterion 5 (20,000+ Waterbirds): Regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
  6. Criterion 6 (1% Waterbird Population): Regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.
  7. Criterion 7 (Indigenous Fish Diversity): Supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species, or families.
  8. Criterion 8 (Fish Spawning & Nursery): Is an important source of food, spawning grounds, nursery, and/or migration path for fish.
  9. Criterion 9 (1% Non-Avian Taxa): Regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species/subspecies of wetland-dependent non-avian animal species.

2. Key UPSC Prelims Superlatives & Quick Facts

ParameterIndian Ramsar FactKey Details for UPSC
Total Tally (August 2026)101 Ramsar SitesIndia reached 101 with Glaw Lake (Arunachal Pradesh) on 3 August 2026.
100th Ramsar SiteJai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal)Natural oxbow lake formed by the Ganga in Ballia district, UP (June 2026).
101st Ramsar SiteGlaw Lake (Arunachal Pradesh)First Ramsar site of Arunachal Pradesh; located in Kamlang Tiger Reserve (August 2026).
First Designated SitesChilika Lake (Odisha) & Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)Designated on 1 October 1981 upon accession (Treaty entered into force on 1 February 1982).
Largest Ramsar SiteSundarban Wetland (West Bengal)Covers ~4,230 sq km; largest contiguous mangrove ecosystem in the world.
Smallest Ramsar SiteRenuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh)Covers ~0.2 sq km (approx. 20 hectares); natural freshwater spring-fed lake.
State with Highest SitesTamil Nadu (20 Ramsar Sites)Followed by Uttar Pradesh with 13 Ramsar Sites.
Floating Habitat & National ParkLoktak Lake (Manipur)Famous for floating phumdis and hosts Keibul Lamjao National Park (world's only floating national park; home to endangered Sangai deer).
Historic Human-Managed WetlandKeoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan)Created 250 years ago by Maharaja Suraj Mal; critical wintering haven on Central Asian Flyway.
High-Altitude Lake SitesTso Moriri & Tso Kar (Ladakh)High-altitude saline/brackish wetlands (>4,500 m) supporting Black-necked Crane and Bar-headed Goose.

3. The Montreux Record & Indian Wetlands

A. What is the Montreux Record?

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the Ramsar List where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar Database.

B. Current Status of Indian Sites in Montreux Record

Site NameStateYear AddedReason for Inclusion / Current Status
Keoladeo National ParkRajasthan1990Still in Record: Water shortage due to upstream dams (Ajan Dam) and invasion by weed Paspalum distichum.
Loktak LakeManipur1993Still in Record: Ecological degradation caused by Ithai Barrage construction (loss of floating phumdis, siltation, and decline of Sangai deer).
Chilika LakeOdisha1993Removed in 2002: Successfully restored by the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) through the opening of a new mouth to the Bay of Bengal, desiltation, and catchment treatment. Awarded the prestigious Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award (2002).

4. Complete State-Wise Directory of All 101 Ramsar Sites in India

Below is the complete, state-by-state catalog of all 101 designated Ramsar sites across India:

1. Tamil Nadu (20 Sites – Highest in India)

  1. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (2002) – Coastal wetland with mangroves, salt marshes, and blackbuck population.
  2. Karikili Bird Sanctuary (2022) – Chengalpattu rain-fed tank supporting breeding cormorants and egrets.
  3. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest (2022) – One of Chennai's last natural freshwater marshlands.
  4. Pichavaram Mangrove (2022) – Among the largest mangrove formations in India with dense Rhizophora species.
  5. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary (2022) – Man-made community-protected breeding sanctuary for painted storks.
  6. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (2022) – First marine biosphere reserve in South Asia with dugongs and coral reefs.
  7. Vembannur Wetland Complex (2022) – Human-made inland irrigation tank in Kanyakumari.
  8. Vellode Bird Sanctuary (2022) – Located in Erode; vital feeding ground for migratory waterfowl.
  9. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (2022) – One of the oldest waterbird sanctuaries in India (protected since 1798).
  10. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary (2022) – Fed by Mettur Dam canal system in Tiruvarur.
  11. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary (2022) – Prominent nesting site for spot-billed pelican and oriental darter.
  12. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary (2022) – Located in Ramanathapuram; breeding ground for colonial waterbirds.
  13. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex (2022) – Important Bird Area (IBA) in Central Asian Flyway.
  14. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary (2022) – Large human-made irrigation reservoir in Tiruvarur.
  15. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (2024) – Inland freshwater lake in Ariyalur district.
  16. Longwood Shola Reserved Forest (2024) – High-altitude montane forest-wetland in Nilgiris; habitat of the Nilgiri Laughingthrush.
  17. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (2024) – Historical irrigation tank on Sarkar Periyapalayam tank (Tirupur).
  18. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (2024) – Brackish water lake on Coromandel Coast in Villupuram.
  19. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (2024) – Water storage tank in Ramanathapuram supporting colonial waterbirds.
  20. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (2024) – Village community tank hosting trans-continental migratory ducks.

2. Uttar Pradesh (13 Sites – 2nd Highest in India)

  1. Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch) (2005) – Habitat of Gangetic River Dolphin, Gharial, and Mugger.
  2. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (2019) – Renamed Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary in Unnao.
  3. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (2019) – Oxbow lakes in Gonda district.
  4. Saman Bird Sanctuary (2019) – Seasonal oxbow wetland in Mainpuri.
  5. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary (2019) – Perennial lowland marsh in Rae Bareli.
  6. Sandi Bird Sanctuary (2019) – Freshwater lake in Hardoi district.
  7. Sarsai Nawar Jheel (2019) – Permanent marsh in Etawah; prime breeding site for Sarus Crane (Grus antigone).
  8. Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) (2020) – Man-made reservoir in Agra with sloth bear conservation center.
  9. Haiderpur Wetland (2021) – Human-made wetland in Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary on Ganga floodplain.
  10. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary (2021) – Largest natural freshwater floodplain lake in eastern UP (Sant Kabir Nagar).
  11. Patna Bird Sanctuary (2026) – Freshwater lake in Etah district hosting extensive wintering waterfowl (PIB PRID: 2221114).
  12. Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary (2026) – India's 99th Ramsar Site; perennial freshwater lake in Aligarh (PIB PRID: 2254357).
  13. Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) (2026) – India's 100th Ramsar Site; natural oxbow lake in Ballia (PIB PRID: 2269189).

3. Bihar (6 Sites)

  1. Kanwar Lake (Kabartal Wetland) (2020) – Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake formed by Gandak River in Begusarai.
  2. Nagi Bird Sanctuary (2024) – Reservoir in Jamui district; prime wintering haven for Bar-headed geese.
  3. Nakti Bird Sanctuary (2024) – Wetland in Jamui hosting congregatory waterbirds.
  4. Gokul Jalashay – Natural wetland and reservoir in Buxar district.
  5. Udaipur Jheel – Oxbow lake wetland in West Champaran near Gandak river basin.
  6. Gogabil Lake (Amadbeel) – Oxbow lake in Katihar formed by Kankhar and Mahananda rivers.

4. Odisha (6 Sites)

  1. Chilika Lake (1981) – Asia's largest brackish lagoon; home to Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris).
  2. Bhitarkanika Mangroves (2002) – Estuarine mangrove forest; Saltwater Crocodiles and Olive Ridley turtle nesting.
  3. Satkosia Gorge (2021) – Gorge of Mahanadi River; sanctuary for Gharial and Mugger.
  4. Tampara Lake (2021) – Freshwater lake in Ganjam district.
  5. Hirakud Reservoir (2021) – Largest earthen dam in India on Mahanadi River.
  6. Ansupa Lake (2021) – Largest freshwater oxbow lake in Odisha formed by Mahanadi.

5. Punjab (6 Sites)

  1. Harike Lake (1990) – Confluence of Beas and Sutlej rivers; home to Indus River Dolphin.
  2. Kanjli Wetland (2002) – Created on Kali Bein stream (sacred stream associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji).
  3. Ropar Wetland (2002) – Man-made wetland on Sutlej River; habitat for smooth-coated otter.
  4. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve (2019) – First community reserve in India declared as a Ramsar site.
  5. Beas Conservation Reserve (2019) – 185 km stretch of Beas River hosting Gharial reintroduction.
  6. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary (2019) – Located on the banks of Sutlej River (Bhakra-Nangal project).

6. Gujarat (5 Sites)

  1. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (2012) – Largest natural freshwater wetland in Gujarat with over 300 islands.
  2. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (2021) – Shallow freshwater reservoir on Central Asian Flyway.
  3. Wadhvana Wetland (2021) – Centenary reservoir built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in Dabhoi.
  4. Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary (2021) – Coastal wetland near Jamnagar with freshwater and marine habitats.
  5. Chhari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve (2026) – Seasonal desert wetland in Banni grasslands of Kutch (PIB PRID: 2221114).

7. Rajasthan (5 Sites)

  1. Keoladeo Ghana National Park (1981) – Man-made wetland and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Montreux Record.
  2. Sambhar Lake (1990) – India's largest inland saline lake; key wintering area for flamingos.
  3. Menar Wetland Complex – Village community bird sanctuary and perennial lakes in Udaipur.
  4. Khichan Bird Sanctuary / Wetland – Renowned congregation ground in Phalodi for migratory Demoiselle Cranes (Kurjan).
  5. Siliserh Lake – Historic water reservoir and biodiversity wetland in Alwar.

8. Madhya Pradesh (5 Sites)

  1. Bhoj Wetland (2002) – Twin man-made lakes (Upper Lake / Bhojtal and Lower Lake) in Bhopal.
  2. Sakhya Sagar (2022) – Lake in Madhav National Park (Shivpuri).
  3. Sirpur Lake (2022) – Historical waterbody in Indore built by the Holkar dynasty.
  4. Yashwant Sagar (2022) – Reservoir on Gambhir river in Indore; key habitat for Sarus Crane.
  5. Tawa Reservoir (2024) – Largest reservoir in Hoshangabad at the confluence of Tawa and Denwa rivers (Satpura NP).

9. Jammu & Kashmir (5 Sites)

  1. Wular Lake (1990) – Largest freshwater lake in India fed by Jhelum River; deltaic floodplain system.
  2. Hokersar Wetland (2005) – Natural permanent wetland in Kashmir Valley; wintering ground for Central Asian Flyway.
  3. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes (2005) – Semi-arid twin lakes in Shiwalik foothills.
  4. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve (2022) – Flood absorption basin in Baramulla on Jhelum basin.
  5. Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve (2022) – Floodplain wetland in Ganderbal district.

10. Karnataka (4 Sites)

  1. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (2022) – Islands in Cauvery River near Srirangapatna.
  2. Aghanashini Estuary (2024) – Confluence of Aghanashini River with Arabian Sea in Uttara Kannada (Gajni farming).
  3. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (2024) – Human-made wetland in Gadag; wintering site for Bar-headed Goose.
  4. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (2024) – Man-made tank in Vijayanagara district.

11. Kerala (3 Sites)

  1. Vembanad-Kol Wetland (2002) – Longest lake in India; supports below-sea-level farming in Kuttanad (GIAHS).
  2. Ashtamudi Wetland (2002) – Palm-shaped estuary in Kollam with 8 creeks; MSC-certified sustainable clam fishery.
  3. Sasthamkotta Lake (2002) – Largest natural freshwater lake in Kerala; larva Chaoborus cleanses water.

12. Maharashtra (3 Sites)

  1. Nandur Madhameshwar (2019) – Known as "Bharatpur of Maharashtra"; confluence of Godavari and Kadwa rivers.
  2. Lonar Lake (2020) – Meteorite impact crater soda lake in Buldhana; halo-archaea microbes.
  3. Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (2022) – Estuarine mangrove wetland in Mumbai supporting thousands of flamingos.

13. Himachal Pradesh (3 Sites)

  1. Pong Dam Lake (2002) – Storage reservoir created on Beas River in Kangra.
  2. Chandertal Wetland (2005) – High-altitude freshwater lake in Spiti Valley at 4,337 m.
  3. Renuka Wetland (2005) – Smallest Ramsar site in India (~20 ha) with natural underground spring feeds.

14. Ladakh (2 Sites)

  1. Tso Moriri Lake (2002) – High-altitude brackish lake at 4,595 m; breeding ground for Bar-headed Goose.
  2. Tso Kar Wetland Complex (2020) – Twin lakes: freshwater Startsapuk Tso and hyper-saline Tso Kar.

15. West Bengal (2 Sites)

  1. East Calcutta Wetlands (2002) – World's largest wastewater-fed aquaculture system; natural sewage treatment for Kolkata.
  2. Sundarban Wetland (2019) – Largest Ramsar site in India (~4,230 sq km); Royal Bengal Tiger mangrove habitat.

16. Haryana (2 Sites)

  1. Sultanpur National Park (2021) – Freshwater wetland in Gurugram on Central Asian Flyway.
  2. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary (2021) – Largest man-made freshwater wetland in Haryana (Jhajjar district).

17. Assam (2 Sites)

  1. Deepor Beel (2002) – Permanent freshwater oxbow lake in Brahmaputra Valley near Guwahati; elephant corridor.
  2. Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary – Riverine wetland on Subansiri river floodplain.

18. Andhra Pradesh (1 Site)

  1. Kolleru Lake (2002) – Large freshwater lake situated between Godavari and Krishna deltas.

19. Arunachal Pradesh (1 Site)

  1. Glaw Lake (2026 – India's 101st Ramsar Site) – High-altitude natural freshwater lake situated in Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (Lohit district); Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot harboring over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species (PIB PRID: 2294036).

20. Chhattisgarh (1 Site)

  1. Kopra Jalashay (Reservoir) (2025) – First Ramsar site of Chhattisgarh (Bilaspur); crucial habitat for wintering waterfowl.

21. Goa (1 Site)

  1. Nanda Lake (2022) – Freshwater marsh fed by Zuari River tributaries.

22. Jharkhand (1 Site)

  1. Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary (2024) – Only bird sanctuary in Jharkhand; twin lakes (Pataura & Berbhel) on Ganga floodplain.

23. Manipur (1 Site)

  1. Loktak Lake (1990) – In Montreux Record; famous for floating phumdis and Keibul Lamjao National Park.

24. Mizoram (1 Site)

  1. Pala Wetland (2022) – Largest natural lake in Mizoram in Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

25. Sikkim (1 Site)

  1. Khecheopalri Wetland (2024) – Sacred wish-fulfilling lake in West Sikkim surrounded by temperate forest.

26. Tripura (1 Site)

  1. Rudrasagar Lake (2005) – Lowland sedimentation reservoir featuring the historic Neermahal palace.

27. Uttarakhand (1 Site)

  • Asan Conservation Reserve (2020) – First Ramsar site of Uttarakhand, situated at the confluence of Asan and Yamuna rivers.

28. Union Territory of Chandigarh (1 Site)

  • Sukhna Lake – Man-made rainfed reservoir at the foothills of Shiwaliks in Chandigarh.

5. Policy & Governance Framework in India

A. Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017

Notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, replacing the 2010 rules:

  • Decentralization: Replaced the Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority (CWRA) with State Wetland Authorities (SWAs) headed by the state Environment Minister.
  • Digital Inventory: Mandated states to prepare a comprehensive digital brief document for every wetland.
  • Strict Prohibitions: Prohibits setting up/expansion of polluting industries, dumping of solid waste, discharge of untreated industrial effluents and domestic sewage, conversion of wetlands to non-wetland uses, and unauthorized permanent construction.
  • Exclusions: Does not apply to river channels, paddy fields, human-made waterbodies for drinking/irrigation/aquaculture, and areas under Indian Forest Act or CRZ.

B. Strategic Government Initiatives

  1. Amrit Dharohar Initiative (Budget 2023–24):
    • 3-year scheme implemented by MoEFCC to promote the conservation values of Ramsar sites, boost eco-tourism, and sustain local livelihoods through community engagement.
  2. MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes):
    • Intensive mangrove afforestation along India's coastline and saltpans, integrating Ramsar mangrove sites (e.g., Sundarbans, Bhitarkanika, Pichavaram).
  3. Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) Status (2025 Accreditation Round):
    • Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) were officially accredited under the Ramsar Convention in January 2025, becoming the first two Indian cities to receive Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation.
    • (Note: Bhopal was nominated alongside Indore and Udaipur in 2024, but accreditation was withheld pending ecological assessments on the Bhoj Wetland).

6. Analytical Dimensions for UPSC GS Paper III (Mains Focus)

  1. Ecological and Hydrological Functions:

    • Flood Attenuation: Wetlands act as natural sponges (e.g., East Calcutta Wetlands, Wular Lake).
    • Carbon Sequestration (Blue Carbon): Mangroves and peatlands store up to 5 times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial tropical rainforests.
    • Groundwater Recharge: Critical buffer against drought and climate variability.

  2. Major Anthropogenic Threats to Indian Wetlands:

    • Eutrophication & Siltation: Fertilizer runoff and soil erosion choking lake beds (e.g., Kolleru, Loktak).
    • Urban Encroachment: Loss of floodplains to real estate (e.g., Pallikaranai in Chennai, Bellandur in Bengaluru).
    • Hydrological Fragmentation: Upstream barrages altering seasonal flood regimes.

7. Summary Check-Table for Quick Revision

Total Ramsar Sites (2026)    -> 101 Sites (Covering >1.35 million hectares)
100th Ramsar Site            -> Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal), UP (June 2026)
101st Ramsar Site            -> Glaw Lake, Arunachal Pradesh (Kamlang TR, Lohit District, Aug 2026)
1st Designated Sites         -> Chilika Lake (Odisha) & Keoladeo NP (Rajasthan) [1 Oct 1981]
Entry into Force (India)     -> 1 February 1982 (Ramsar Convention formal entry into force)
Largest Ramsar Site          -> Sundarban Wetland, West Bengal (~4,230 sq km)
Smallest Ramsar Site         -> Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh (~20 ha)
State with Most Sites        -> Tamil Nadu (20 Sites), followed by Uttar Pradesh (13 Sites)
Montreux Record Sites        -> Keoladeo NP (Rajasthan) & Loktak Lake (Manipur); Chilika removed in 2002
Accredited Wetland Cities    -> Indore (MP) & Udaipur (Rajasthan) [Accredited in 2025 WCA cycle]
State Wetland Authorities    -> Statutory governing bodies under Wetlands Rules 2017

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for UPSC CSE

How many Ramsar sites are there in India as of August 2026 and which state has the most?

As of August 2026, India has 101 designated Ramsar sites. The tally reached 101 with the designation of Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh on 3 August 2026 (announced via PIB PRID: 2294036). Tamil Nadu leads India with 20 Ramsar sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 13 sites.

Which Indian cities have received Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)?

In January 2025, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) became the first two Indian cities to be officially accredited under the Ramsar Convention's Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) scheme.

What is the Montreux Record and which Indian wetlands are currently listed in it?

The Montreux Record is a specialized register under the Ramsar Convention for wetlands facing significant ecological degradation due to pollution, technological developments, or human interference. Currently, two Indian sites are listed in the Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur). Chilika Lake (Odisha) was removed from the record in 2002 after successful ecological restoration.

Which is the largest and smallest Ramsar site in India?

The largest Ramsar site in India is the Sundarban Wetland in West Bengal, covering approximately 4,230 square kilometers of mangrove ecosystems. The smallest Ramsar site is the Renuka Wetland in Himachal Pradesh, covering roughly 20 hectares (0.2 square kilometers).

What activities are prohibited under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017?

Under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, prohibited activities within notified wetlands include: conversion of wetlands to non-wetland uses, setting up or expansion of polluting industries, manufacture or storage of hazardous substances, solid waste dumping, discharge of untreated industrial effluents and domestic sewage, and permanent construction without statutory clearance.

9. Official References and Primary Sources

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