Ramsar Convention, Wetlands of International Importance, Montreux Record, Criteria for Ramsar Site Designation, National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Biodiversity hotspot, Flyways (e.g., Central Asian Flyway), Ecosystem services.
Apr 21, 2025
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The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran, aiming to conserve wetlands and promote their sustainable use. India became a signatory to the Convention in 1982 and has since significantly contributed to global wetland conservation efforts.
Montreux Record: The Montreux Record is a voluntary register maintained as part of the Ramsar Convention. It lists Ramsar Sites that have undergone or are undergoing changes in their ecological character due to human or natural interference. Inclusion in this list helps prioritize conservation and restoration efforts with global attention and funding. As of 2025, India has two sites on the Montreux Record:
Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan (added in 1990)
Loktak Lake, Manipur
Criteria for Ramsar Site Designation: A wetland must meet at least one of the following nine criteria to be declared a Ramsar Site:
It contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type.
It supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
It supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.
It supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles or provides refuge during adverse conditions.
It regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
It regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.
It supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species, or families.
It is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery, and/or migration path.
It regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-dependent non-avian animal species.
Legal Framework in India: The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, form the legal framework for wetland conservation in India. These are complemented by the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA).
Table of content
Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu: Located in Ramanathapuram district, this wetland is a seasonal breeding ground for painted storks, openbill storks, and other migratory species.
Therthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu: Found in Sivaganga district, this freshwater wetland supports a rich diversity of waterfowl, including herons, egrets, and migratory ducks.
Khecheopalri Wetland, Sikkim: A sacred lake in West Sikkim revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, it is ecologically pristine and supports rare species of flora and fauna.
As of 2025, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites (14), while Goa, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Sikkim have the lowest with just one site each.
Andhra Pradesh – Kolleru Lake
Assam – Deepor Beel
Bihar – Kanwar Taal, Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Nakti Bird Sanctuary
Goa – Nanda Lake
Gujarat – Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Thol Lake WLS, Wadhvana Wetland
Haryana – Sultanpur NP, Bhindawas WLS
Himachal Pradesh – Chandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka Lake
Jammu & Kashmir – Hokera Wetland, Hygam Wetland, Shallabugh Wetland, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Wular Lake
Jharkhand – Udhwa Lake
Karnataka – Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Ankasamudra, Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere
Kerala – Ashtamudi, Sasthamkotta Lake, Vembanad-Kol
Ladakh – Tso Kar, Tsomoriri
Madhya Pradesh – Bhoj Wetland, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur Wetland, Yashwant Sagar, Tawa Reservoir
Maharashtra – Lonar Lake, Nandur Madhameshwar, Thane Creek
Manipur – Loktak Lake
Mizoram – Pala Wetland
Odisha – Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika, Hirakud, Tampara, Satkosia, Ansupa
Punjab – Harike, Kanjli, Ropar, Nangal WLS, Keshopur-Miani, Beas Conservation Reserve
Rajasthan – Keoladeo NP, Sambhar Lake
Sikkim – Khecheopalri Wetland
Tamil Nadu – Gulf of Mannar, Chitrangudi, Kanjirankulam, Karaivetti, Karikili, Pallikaranai, Point Calimere, Suchindram, Vaduvur, Vedanthangal, Udayamarthandapuram, Sakkarakottai, Therthangal
Tripura – Rudrasagar Lake
Uttar Pradesh – Nawabganj, Parvati Arga, Samaspur, Sandi, Sarsai Nawar, Sur Sarovar, Haiderpur, Bakhira, Saman, Patna, Behti, Mahoba, Sandi
Uttarakhand – Asan Conservation Reserve
West Bengal – East Kolkata Wetlands, Sundarbans
Biodiversity Conservation: Ramsar Sites safeguard critical habitats for endangered species and migratory birds.
Water Security: Wetlands play a role in aquifer recharge, flood mitigation, and water purification.
Climate Regulation: Many wetlands act as carbon sinks, aiding in climate change mitigation.
Livelihood Support: Wetlands offer livelihood options through fishing, farming, and eco-tourism.
Policy Advocacy: India’s proactive wetland conservation contributes to global goals like the SDGs and enhances its image in environmental diplomacy.
With 89 designated Ramsar Sites, India stands as a global leader in wetland conservation. From sacred lakes in Sikkim to bustling bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, each site serves as a testament to the country’s ecological diversity and commitment to sustainability. For UPSC aspirants, understanding Ramsar Sites is crucial, not just for static GK, but also for themes in environment, geography, biodiversity, and international treaties.
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