Friday, 20 Jun, 2025
This is a significant milestone in the environmental journeys of Sikkim and Jharkhand, as both states now have their first Ramsar sites. Image Source: IANS
India has added 4 more wetlands to the prestigious Ramsar convention list, bringing the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 89.
Days after Madhya Pradesh’s Indore and Rajasthan’s Udaipur became India’s first two cities to receive international accreditation as ‘Wetland Cities’ under the Ramsar convention, India has added 4 more wetlands to the prestigious Ramsar convention list, bringing the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 89. The new designated Ramsar sites are 1) Tamil Nadu's Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary- This sanctuary, which is situated in Ramanathapuram, is an essential destination for migrating birds. It is an important location for avian conservation because of the variety of bird species that may be found in its wetlands and estuarine habitats.
The second one is Tamil Nadu's Therthangal Bird Sanctuary. This refuge, which is close to Palk Bay, draws ducks and migrating waders. For birds traveling in the East Asia-Australasia Flyway, its coastal wetlands provide a crucial resting place. The third one is the Sikkim's Khecheopalri Wetland- Khecheopalri Wetland, a revered lake encircled by Himalayan trees, is beloved by the locals and is home to a variety of bird species, particularly migratory ones traversing the eastern Himalayan region and the fourth one is the Udhwa lake in Jharkhand. Udhwa Lake, which is situated in Sahebganj, provides an excellent wetland environment for birds, particularly ducks. For many resident and migratory species, it is an essential habitat and breeding site.
This is a significant milestone in the environmental journeys of Sikkim and Jharkhand, as both states now have their first Ramsar sites. Tamil Nadu has the highest number (20) of Ramsar sites in the country. India has made great strides in safeguarding its wetlands since ratifying the Ramsar Convention in 1982. Twenty-six wetlands were designated Ramsar sites between 1982 and 2013. A greater emphasis on wetland preservation is shown in the 63 more sites the nation added after 2014. With 20 Ramsar sites, Tamil Nadu is in first place, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.
Source: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Prior to this, India had added 3 new Ramsar sites to its list of Ramsar sites. Those were- Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Kazhuveli Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) and Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh). Originally an irrigation reservoir, Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, which is situated on the banks of the Noyyal River, has evolved into a vital ecosystem. Along the Central Asian Flyway, it draws migratory birds and is home to a variety of bird species, including herons, spot-billed ducks, and Eurasian coots. Through fishing, the wetland sustains local livelihoods and biodiversity.
One of the biggest brackish water wetlands in South India is Kazhuveli Sanctuary, which is located on the Coromandel Coast. Its combination of shallow seas, mudflats, and salt marshes is home to endangered species including the greater flamingo and black-headed ibis. Along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, it acts as a migratory stop and contributes to groundwater recharge and flood control. A major wintering site for migrating birds, Tawa Reservoir was created by damming the Tawa River. The reservoir plays a vital role in regional water management by supporting local fisheries and providing drinking and irrigation water.
In 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, the Ramsar Convention on wetlands was signed. In order to safeguard wetlands and their resources, the various nations and non-governmental organizations began negotiating the convention in the 1960s. In 1975, it was finally put into effect. In order to contribute to global sustainable development, the Ramsar Convention was established in 1975 with the goal of conserving and responsibly using all wetlands through national and local initiatives as well as international collaboration.
|
State |
Designated wetland sites |
|
Andhra Pradesh (1) |
- Kolleru Lake |
|
Tamil Nadu (20) |
- Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vembanur Wetland Complex, Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pichavaram Mangrove, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Point Calimere Wildlife Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Sanctuary and Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Therthangal Bird Sanctuary |
|
Kerala (3) |
- Vembanad Kol Wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake, Ashtamudi Wetland |
|
Karnataka (4) |
- Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ranganathittu BS, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve |
|
Maharashtra (3) |
- Nandur Madhameshwar, Lonar Lake, Thane Creek |
|
Goa (1) |
- Nanda Lake |
|
Gujarat (4) |
- Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Vadhvana Wetland, Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
Rajasthan (2) |
- Sambhar Lake, Keoladeo National Park |
|
Uttar Pradesh (10) |
- Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Haiderpur Wetland, Upper-Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch), Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Sur Sarovar, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Paravai Agra Bird Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary |
|
Haryana (2) |
- Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
Madhya Pradesh (5) |
- Yashwant Sagar, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur Wetland, Bhoj Wetland, Tawa Reservoir |
|
Bihar (3) |
- Kanwar Lake or Kabartl Wetland, Nagi Bird Sanctuary and Nakti Bird Sanctuary |
|
Odisha (6) |
- Ansupa Lake, Hirakud Reservoir, Tampara Lake, Chilka Lake, Satkosia Gorge, Bhitarkanika Mangrove |
|
West Bengal (2) |
- East Kolkata Wetlands, Sunderban Wetland |
|
Punjab (6) |
- Harike Lake, Beas Conservation Reserve, Kanjli Lake, Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Ropar Wetland |
|
Himachal Pradesh (3) |
- Chandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka lake |
|
Jammu and Kashmir (5) |
- Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve, Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, Hokera Wetland, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Wular Lake |
|
UT of Ladakh (2) |
- Tso Kar Wetland Complex, Tsomoriri Lake |
|
Uttrakhand (1) |
- Asan Conservation Reserve |
|
Mizoram (1) |
- Pala Wetland |
|
Manipur (1) |
- Loktak Lake |
|
Assam (1) |
- Deepor Beel |
|
Tripura (1) |
- Rudrasagar Lake |
| Jharkhand (1) | -Udhwa Lake |
| Sikkim (1) | -Khecheopalri Wetland |
Source: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
All six Ramsar regions contain interior and marine wetlands of various kinds, making the Ramsar Sites network genuinely worldwide. In 1974, the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia was named as the first site in history. The largest sites are Queen Maud Gulf in Canada and Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mexico and the United Kingdom have the most sites—142 and 175, respectively.
