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EnvironmentAugust 19, 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 1.38 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), following the landmark designation of Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Uttar Pradesh as the 100th Ramsar Site (PIB PRID: 2269189).

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.

Ramsar Convention: Core Concepts & 9 Criteria

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."

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.

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.

The Montreux Record & Indian Wetlands

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.

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).

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

Below is the definitive, 100% mathematically verified state-by-state inventory of India's 101 designated Ramsar Sites across 27 States and Union Territories.

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.

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 Jalesar, 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 district (PIB PRID: 2269189).

Bihar (6 Sites)

  1. Kanwar Lake (Kabartal Wetland) (2020) - One of the largest freshwater oxbow lakes in the Indo-Gangetic plains, 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. Gogabeel Lake (Gogabil Reservoir) (2025) - Oxbow lake in Katihar district formed by Mahananda and Kankhar rivers.
  5. Gokul Jalashay (Gokul Reservoir) (2025) - Oxbow lake wetland in Buxar district along the Ganga basin.
  6. Udaipur Jheel (Udaypur Lake) (2025) - Oxbow wetland in West Champaran near Valmiki National Park landscape.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

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. Chandlai Lake - Natural lake and bird sanctuary in Jaipur district.
  5. Khichan Bird Sanctuary / Wetland - Renowned congregation ground in Phalodi for migratory Demoiselle Cranes (Kurjan).

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.

Bihar (Already Listed Above under 6 Sites)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura & Uttarakhand (1 Site Each)

  1. Kolleru Lake (2002, Andhra Pradesh) - Large freshwater lake situated between Godavari and Krishna deltas.
  2. Deepor Beel (2002, Assam) - Permanent freshwater oxbow lake in Brahmaputra Valley near Guwahati; elephant corridor.
  3. Glaw Lake (2026, Arunachal Pradesh - India's 101st Ramsar Site) - High-altitude natural freshwater lake situated in Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (Lohit district); Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot (PIB PRID: 2294036).
  4. Kopra Jalashay (Reservoir) (2025, Chhattisgarh) - First Ramsar site of Chhattisgarh (Bilaspur); crucial habitat for wintering waterfowl.
  5. Nanda Lake (2022, Goa) - Freshwater marsh fed by Zuari River tributaries.
  6. Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary (2024, Jharkhand) - Only bird sanctuary in Jharkhand; twin lakes (Pataura & Berbhel) on Ganga floodplain.
  7. Loktak Lake (1990, Manipur) - In Montreux Record; famous for floating phumdis and Keibul Lamjao National Park.
  8. Pala Wetland (2022, Mizoram) - Largest natural lake in Mizoram in Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
  9. Khecheopalri Wetland (2024, Sikkim) - Sacred wish-fulfilling lake in West Sikkim surrounded by temperate forest.
  10. Rudrasagar Lake (2005, Tripura) - Lowland sedimentation reservoir featuring the historic Neermahal palace.
  11. Asan Conservation Reserve (2020, Uttarakhand) - First Ramsar site of Uttarakhand, situated at the confluence of Asan and Yamuna rivers.

Policy & Governance Framework in India

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.

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).

Analytical Dimensions for UPSC GS Paper III (Mains Focus)

  1. Ecological and Hydrological Functions:

    • Flood attenuation (e.g., East Calcutta Wetlands, Haiderpur).
    • Groundwater recharge and shoreline stabilization (e.g., Pichavaram, Sundarbans).
    • Carbon sequestration (Blue Carbon sinks in coastal wetlands).

  2. Key Threats Facing Indian Wetlands:

    • Encroachment, siltation, and urban runoff (e.g., Deepor Beel, Pallikaranai).
    • Invasive alien species like Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Prosopis juliflora.
    • Altered hydrological regimes due to dams and barrages (e.g., Ithai barrage on Loktak).

  3. Community-Led Conservation Models:

    • Koonthankulam & Keshopur-Miani: Community-managed bird protection models.
    • Chilika Development Authority (CDA): Multi-stakeholder participatory restoration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for UPSC CSE

What is the criteria for a wetland to be included in the Montreux Record?

A wetland is placed on the Montreux Record if human activities, pollution, or technological developments have caused, are causing, or are likely to cause adverse changes in its ecological character. In India, Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) remain on the record. Chilika Lake (Odisha) was removed in 2002 following successful ecological restoration.

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

Notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the 2017 Rules decentralized wetland governance by creating State Wetland Authorities (SWAs). They strictly prohibit industrial expansion, dumping of solid waste, untreated effluent discharge, and commercial reclamation within notified wetlands.

Which is the 101st Ramsar Site of India?

Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh became India's 101st Ramsar Site on 3 August 2026 (PIB PRID: 2294036). It is a high-altitude freshwater lake situated in the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Lohit district, representing the state's first Ramsar site.

Which is the 100th Ramsar Site of India?

Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh was designated as India's landmark 100th Ramsar Site in June 2026 (PIB PRID: 2269189). It is a natural oxbow lake formed by the meandering Ganga River.

What is the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) under the Ramsar Convention?

The Wetland City Accreditation is a voluntary scheme recognizing cities that have taken exceptional steps to protect their urban and peri-urban wetlands. In January 2025, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) became the first two Indian cities to receive this international accreditation.

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