Master Ramsar sites in India with beautiful Map

80 Ramsar sites in India

On the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024, India has increased its number of Ramsar sites from 75 to 80 by designating 5 more wetlands – 3 in Karnataka and 2 in Tamil Nadu.

5 New Ramsar Sites in 2024

1. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (Karnataka)
2. Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka)
3. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (Karnataka)
4. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
5. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (Tamil Nadu)

Hello there, I am Vandna Phogat, an IFS officer, i am writing this article as a part of series to provide key insights and concepts about Indian forests and environment to our reader community.

Wetlands provide diverse ecosystem services and are of great ecological, economic and cultural importance for India. They play a vital role in groundwater recharge, water purification, flood control, carbon sequestration etc. Wetlands also support livelihoods through fishing, agriculture, tourism etc. Many wetlands have religious and spiritual significance. Conserving wetlands through Ramsar site designations is crucial for sustaining India’s ecological security and local communities dependent on wetland resources.

• In 2024, the state of Tamil Nadu has the most Ramsar sites in India (16), followed by the state of Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites.
• Goa, Karnataka and Mizoram got there First Ramsar Sites, in 2022.
• Addition of new sites takes India’s total number of Ramsar Sites to 80, the most of any South Asian country.. 

Ramsar Sites In India interactive Map

State-wise Distribution

Tamil Nadu with 16 sites has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites. Below i have covered all the Ramsar Sites in India State wise. For ease of reading the states with same number of Ramsar sites are grouped together.

1. Ramsar Sites in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu with 16 sites has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India

1. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary

Supports 198 bird species and is an important wetland habitat.

2. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest

Supports globally endangered and vulnerable endemic bird species.

3. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

Coastal wetland habitat supporting vulnerable bird species and Flamingos.

4. Karikili Bird Sanctuary

Harbors resident and migratory birds, mainly waterbirds.

5. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest

Freshwater wetland supporting over 100 bird species and other wildlife.

6. Pichavaram Mangrove

One of India’s largest mangrove ecosystems, supporting critically endangered species.

7. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Home to many bird species like ibis, spoonbill, heron, and painted stork.

8. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary

Irrigation tanks used by various waterbirds as a stopover and breeding site.

9. Vellode Bird Sanctuary

Man-made pond providing staging and nesting area for migratory birds.

10. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve

Globally threatened marine species like dugong and sea turtles found here.

11. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary

South India’s biggest breeding resident and migratory waterbird refuge.

12. Vembannur Wetland Complex

Man-made pond supporting various waterbird species.

13. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary

Refuge for migrating birds, with sightings of pelicans, egrets and storks.

14. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex

Designated Important Bird Area on the Central Asian flyway.

15. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary

Vast man-made tank serving as a refuge for migrating birds.

16. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary

Breeding place for migratory herons and other waterbirds.

2. Ramsar Sites in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites has the second highest number of Ramsar sites in India

1. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary

Largest natural floodplain wetland in eastern UP, winter habitat for over 80 bird species including endangered and vulnerable species.

2. Haiderpur Wetland

Created wetland harboring 15 globally threatened species like critically endangered gharial and endangered hog deer.

3. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Shelter for birds including globally threatened Egyptian vulture and Pallas’s fish eagle.

4. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary

Two permanent oxbow lakes providing refuge for multiple critically endangered and endangered vulture species.

5. Saman Bird Sanctuary

Seasonal oxbow lake providing important wintering habitat for migratory birds like greylag goose.

6. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary

Perennial marsh home to endangered Egyptian vulture and other threatened species.

7. Sandi Bird Sanctuary

Freshwater marsh habitat for over 40,000 waterfowl and vulnerable sarus crane.

8. Sarsai Nawarjheel

Perennial floodplain wetland harboring vulnerable sarus crane and other threatened species.

9. Sur Sarovar

Man-made reservoir serving as haven for resident and migratory birds, including threatened species.

10. Upper Ganga River

River segment home to Ganges river dolphin, gharial, turtles and other endangered species.

3. Ramsar sites in Odisha

1. Bhitarkanika Mangroves

Largest remaining mangrove forest in India, home to world’s largest Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting habitat and high density of saltwater crocodiles.

2. Chilika Lake

Brackish lake with extreme salinity changes, placed and removed from Montreux Record due to siltation issues.

3. Tampara Lake

Freshwater lake that is an important habitat for vulnerable species like Cyprinus carpio and river tern.

4. Hirakud Reservoir

Largest earthen dam in Odisha providing water, hydropower and flood control. Home to varied flora and fauna.

5. Ansupa Lake

Odisha’s largest freshwater lake, known for scenic beauty and biodiversity. Key wintering site for migratory birds.

6. Satkosia Gorge

Wildlife sanctuary with combination of rivers, marshes and forests. Home to endangered turtles, tiger and other species.

4. Ramsar Sites in Punjab

1. Beas Conservation Reserve

185 km stretch of Beas River supporting over 500 bird species and endangered Indus River dolphin.

2. Harike Lake

Shallow water reservoir covering 70% of lake, major breeding and wintering area for 200,000 migratory birds.

3. Kanjli

Permanent stream sustaining diverse species, groundwater recharge and agricultural productivity with religious significance.

4. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve

Wetland mosaic harboring endangered spotted pond turtle and vulnerable common pochard.

5. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary

Provides habitat for endangered species like Indian pangolin, regulates water flow to prevent floods.

6. Ropar

Man-made wetland created in 1952, vital breeding ground for endangered Indian pangolin and other protected species.

5. Ramsar Sites in Jammu & Kashmir

1. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve

Flood absorption basin, biodiversity site, eco-tourism destination, income source for locals. Home to resident and migratory birds.

2. Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve

Natural floodplain system managing floods. Supports over 4 lakh resident and migratory birds.

3. Hokera Wetland

Only place in Kashmir with remnant reedbeds, gateway for 68 migratory waterfowl species. Nursery for fish, nesting ground for waterbirds.

4. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes

Freshwater lakes providing habitat for migratory ducks. Culturally significant with ancient temples.

5. Wular Lake

India’s largest freshwater lake, source of revenue and food. Vital for agriculture, fishing industry and wintering birds.

6. Ramsar Sites in Madhya Pradesh

1. Bhoj Wetland

Two man-made lakes that are highly biodiverse, supporting various flora, fauna, fish and birds.

2. Yashwant Sagar

Important Bird Area providing habitat for vulnerable sarus crane and winter migratory birds due to large shallow reed beds.

3. Sakhya Sagar

Man-made wetland in Madhav National Park providing water and habitat for wildlife including migratory birds and mugger crocodiles.

4. Sirpur Wetland

Artificial wetland known as Pakshi Vihar, shallow and nutrient-rich providing habitat for wintering waterbirds like common pochard.

7. Ramsar Sites in Gujarat

1. Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary

Essential stopover and breeding ground for migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway. Freshwater coastal wetland.

2. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

Largest natural freshwater lake in Thar Desert, habitat for over 200 bird species including threatened migratory birds.

3. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Small 20th century reservoir, over 320 bird species inhabit including critically endangered and vulnerable species.

4. Wadhvana Wetland

Century-old reservoir, 80+ migratory bird species pass through like endangered Pallas’s fish eagle and vulnerable common pochard.

8. Ramsar Sites in Himachal Pradesh

1. Chandertal Wetland

High altitude Himalayan lake supporting snow leopard and other unique cold desert wildlife. Fragile ecosystem suffering degradation.

2. Pong Dam Lake

Reservoir providing flood control, water resources and electricity. Located on key trans-Himalayan bird migration route.

3. Renuka Wetland

Naturally occurring freshwater wetland fed by Himalayan streams. Religious significance. Habitat for diverse birds and ungulates.

9. Ramsar Sites in Maharashtra

1. Lonar Lake

Near-circular alkaline lake created by meteorite impact. Unique geology enables salt-tolerant microorganisms. Diverse wildlife in surrounding forests and crater.

2. Nandur Madhameshwar

Wetland hotspot contrasting semi-arid region, created by dam construction. Flood barrier and habitat for iconic wildlife like leopards.

3. Thane Creek

Mangrove habitat by creek receiving drainage from Mumbai metro area. Supports birds, shelters coastline, nursery area for fish.

10. Ramsar Sites in Kerala

1. Ashtamudi Wetland

Vast estuarine system, second largest in Kerala. Diverse fauna including 57 bird species, 100 fish species supporting fishing economy.

2. Sasthamkotta Lake

Kerala’s largest freshwater lake, spring-fed. Provides extraordinarily pure drinking water to 500,000 people in Kollam area.

3. Vembanad-Kol Wetland

Largest brackish tropical wetland on southwest coast, fed by 10 rivers. Winter habitat for India’s third largest waterfowl population. Protects from floods, recharges groundwater.

11. Ramsar Sites in Ladakh

1. Tso Kar Wetland Complex

High altitude complex with hypo- to hyper-saline lakes, important biodiversity refuge in arid region. Home to snow leopard, saker falcon, migratory birds.

2. Tsomoriri

High altitude lake shifting from freshwater to brackish. Key breeding area for Black-necked crane, Bar-headed geese and Tibetan wildlife. Ancient trade route intersection and current tourist draw.

12. Ramsar Sites in Haryana

1. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

Largest man-made freshwater wetland in Haryana, established 1986. Recharges groundwater, buffers floods. Resting and roosting site for 250+ species including endangered birds and mammals.

2. Sultanpur National Park

Small lake fed by canals and fields, surrounded by man-made islands. Home to critically endangered sociable lapwing and other endangered birds. Designated eco-sensitive zone.

13. Ramsar Sites in Rajasthan

1. Keoladeo National Park

Man-made and seasonal lagoons, mosaic of scrub and grasslands. Added to Montreux Record in 1990 due to water scarcity and grazing issues, harming Siberian crane habitat.

2. Sambhar Lake

Vast saline lake in shallow wetland habitat, fed by seasonal streams. Flanked by sand plains and scrub. Vital winter habitat for flamingos and other migratory birds amidst human activities.

14. Ramsar Sites in West Bengal

1. East Kolkata Wetlands

Natural wastewater treatment system for Kolkata, spanning 4000 hectares. Local farmers use wetlands for fisheries and agriculture to treat wastewater. Unique model of environmental conservation and sustainable resource use.

2. Sundarban Wetland

Largest mangrove forest globally, hundreds of islands in Ganges and Brahmaputra deltas. 60% of India’s mangroves, 90% mangrove species. Only mangroves with sizable tiger population. Diverse threatened species like Irrawaddy dolphin.

15. Ramsar Sites in Assam

Deepor Beel

Former Brahmaputra river channel, now a freshwater lake providing vital stormwater storage for Guwahati. Located on migratory flyways, with some of Assam’s highest concentrations of aquatic birds like globally threatened pelicans, storks, and pochards.

16. Ramsar Sites in Tripura

Rudrasagar Lake

Lowland reservoir fed by streams leading to Gomati River. Provides habitat for endangered Three-striped Roof Turtle. Flooded frequently, contributing to groundwater recharge.

17. Ramsar Sites in Manipur

Loktak Lake

Large diminishing freshwater lake with floating phumid mats, streams, and swampland. Used for irrigation and domestic water. Wintering habitat for ducks and waterbirds. Added to Montreux Record in 1993 due to catchment deforestation, invasive weeds, pollution from dam construction harming native fish. Significant for flood control.

18. Ramsar Sites in Bihar

Kabartal Wetland

2,620 hectare floodplain absorbing critical monsoon floodwaters in flood-prone Bihar. Marshy areas used for agriculture in dry seasons. Vital stopover for 58 migratory birds including 5 critically endangered vulture and waterbird species. Provides ecosystem services of flood control and agricultural land.

19. Ramsar Sites in Andhra Pradesh

Kolleru Lake

Natural eutrophic lake between Godavari and Krishna river basins, fed by seasonal rivers. Acts as natural flood balancing reservoir for the deltas. Supports local fisheries, agriculture and vulnerable Grey Pelican habitat. Designated a Wildlife Sanctuary.

20. Ramsar Sites in Uttarakhand

Asan Conservation Reserve

444-hectare stretch of Asan River stopped by dam construction in 1967, creating shallow, bird-friendly habitats. Located until confluence with Yamuna River. Home to critically endangered vultures, pochard and endangered mahseer fish.

21. Ramsar Sites in Goa

Nanda Lake

Nanda Lake is made up of intermittent freshwater wetlands that are next to one of the Zuari River’s main tributaries. They are connected to the neighbouring river channel by a sluice gate, which, when closed, allows the marshes to flood. This wetland is home to a variety of migrating waterbirds. Notable bird species include the black-headed ibis, wire-tailed swallow, bronze-winged jacana, and brahminy kite.

22. Ramsar Sites in Karnataka

1. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve

98.76 ha manmade village tank supporting over 210 plant species and diverse animals. Important nesting and roosting site for 30,000+ waterbirds.

2. Aghanashini Estuary

4801 ha estuary at river and sea confluence. Provides ecosystem services and livelihoods through fishing, agriculture etc. Supports 43,000+ waterbirds.

3. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve

50 ha manmade wetland harboring 166 bird species, 130 migratory. Important wintering ground including for Bar-headed goose.

4. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Located beside Kaveri River, home to mugger crocodiles, otters, mahseers. Supports globally significant populations of storks, pelicans, ibises.

23. Ramsar Sites in Mizoram

Pala Wetlands 

Mizoram’s largest natural wetland, deep lake surrounded by forested hills. Habitat for deer, pigs, barking deer and endangered primates like gibbons, leaf monkeys. Culturally significant for indigenous Mara people, provides freshwater, fish, irrigation.

Final Thoughts

India has shown its commitment to wetland conservation by designating 80 Ramsar sites. The wide distribution of these sites across diverse aquatic ecosystems highlights their ecological significance.

However, many wetlands face grave threats from human activities. Hence there is a continued need for conservation efforts through public policies, community participation and public education. Steps must be taken to restore degraded wetlands like those on the Montreux Record.

Wetlands provide a range of vital ecosystem services and have deep cultural roots in India. Their conservation is integral to securing water and food security for India’s growing population.

Wetlands serve as the kidneys of the landscape by recharging groundwater, purifying surface water, mitigating floods etc. Conserving them is akin to saving ecological infrastructure that supports lives and livelihoods. India must build on its Ramsar site designations through integrated policy action and community stewardship.

If you want to learn more about Ramsar convention you can refer to the Official Ramsar Website