Important Wetlands| 75 Ramsar Sites In India

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75 Ramsar Sites In India

India adds 11 more wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites to make total 75 Ramsar sites covering an area of 13,26,677 ha in the country in the 75^th year of Independence.
The 11 new sites include: Four (4) sites in Tamil Nadu, Three (3) in Odisha, Two (2) in Jammu & Kashmir and One (1) each in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Designation of these sites would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources.
India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India signed it on 1^st Feb 1982. During 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during 2014 to 2022, the country has added 49 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites.
During this year itself (2022) a total of 28 sites have been declared as Ramsar sites. Based on the date of designation mentioned on Ramsar Certificate, the number is 19 for this year (2022) and 14 for previous year (2021).
Tamil Nadu has maximum no. of Ramsar sites (14 nos), followed by UP which has 10 nos. of Ramsar sites.

No other South Asian country has as many sites though this has much to do with India’s geographical breadth and tropical diversity.

The United Kingdom (175) and Mexico (142) — smaller countries than India — have the maximum Ramsar sites whereas Bolivia spans the largest area with 148,000 sq km under the Convention protection.
The National Wetland Inventory and Assessment compiled by the Indian Space Research Organisation estimates India’s wetlands to span around 1,52,600 square kilometres which is 4.63% of the total geographical area of the country. A little over two-fifths are inland natural wetlands and about a quarter are coastal wetlands.

Know about Ramsar Sites

Wetlands of international importance are known as Ramsar Sites.
Ramsar Convention: The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
It is named after the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the Caspian sea, where the treaty was signed on 2 February 1971.
Known officially as ‘the wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat’ (or, more recently, just ‘the Convention on Wetlands’), it came into force in 1975.
Number of Contracting Parties: 171
75 sites in India are protected by the Ramsar convention.

List of Ramsar Sites in India

S. No.	Name of Site	State Location
1	Kolleru Lake	Andhra Pradesh (1)
2	Deepor Beel	Assam (1)
3	Kabartal Wetland	Bihar (1)
4	Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary	Gujarat (4)
5	Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary	Gujarat
6	Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary	Gujarat
7	Wadhvana Wetland	Gujarat
8	Nanda Lake	Goa (1)
9	Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary	Haryana (2)
10	Sultanpur National Park	Haryana
11	Chandertal Wetland	Himachal Pradesh (3)
12	Pong Dam Lake	Himachal Pradesh
13	Renuka Wetland	Himachal Pradesh
14	Wular Lake	Jammu & Kashmir (6)
15	Hokera Wetland	Jammu and Kashmir
16	Surinsar-Mansar Lakes	Jammu and Kashmir
17	Tsomoriri Lake	Jammu and Kashmir
18	Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve	Jammu and Kashmir
19	Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve	Jammu and Kashmir
20	Ranganathituu BS	Karnataka (1)
21	Asthamudi Wetland	Kerala (3)
22	Sasthamkotta Lake	Kerala
23	Vembanad Kol Wetland	Kerala
24	Tso Kar Wetland Complex	Ladakh (1)
25	Bhoj Wetlands	Madhya Pradesh (4)
26	Sakhya Sagar	Madhya Pradesh
27	Sirpur wetland	Madhya Pradesh
28	Yashwant Sagar	Madhya Pradesh
29	Lonar Lake	Maharashtra (3)
30	Nandur Madhameshwar	Maharashtra
31	Thane Creek	Maharashtra
32	Loktak Lake	Manipur (1)
33	Pala Wetland	Mizoram (1)
34	Bhitarkanika Mangroves	Odisha (6)
35	Chilka Lake	Odisha
36	Satkosia Gorge	Odisha
37	Tampara Lake	Odisha
38	Hirakud Reservoir	Odisha
39	Ansupa Lake	Odisha
40	Beas Conservation Reserve	Punjab (6)
41	Harike Lake	Punjab
42	Kanjli Lake	Punjab
43	Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve	Punjab
44	Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary	Punjab
45	Ropar Lake	Punjab
46	Keoladeo Ghana NP	Rajasthan (2)
47	Sambhar Lake	Rajasthan
48	Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu (14)
49	Karikili Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
50	Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest	Tamil Nadu
51	Pichavaram Mangrove	Tamil Nadu
52	Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
53	Vembannur Wetland Complex	Tamil Nadu
54	Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve	Tamil Nadu
55	Vellode Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
56	Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
57	Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
58	Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
59	Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex	Tamil Nadu
60	Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
61	Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary	Tamil Nadu
62	Rudrasagar Lake	Tripura (1)
63	Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh (10)
64	Haiderpur Wetland	Uttar Pradesh
65	Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh
66	Parvati Agra Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh
67	Saman Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh
68	Samaspur Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh
69	Sandi Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh
70	Sarsai Nawar Jheel	Uttar Pradesh
71	Sur Sarovar	Uttar Pradesh
72	Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)	Uttar Pradesh
73	Asan Conservation Reserve	Uttarakhand (1)
74	East Kolkata Wetlands	West Bengal (2)
75	Sunderbans Wetland	West Bengal

Important facts on Ramsar sites in India :

Largest Ramsar sites in India: Sundarban
Area wise : ( Sundarban > Vembanad > Chilka >….>Renuka)

Smallest Ramsar Sites in India: Renuka Wetland
Oldest Ramsar sites in India: Chilka Lake(1981), Keoladeo Ghana NP(1981).
Total number of Ramsar sites in India: 75.
Which Indian state has the most number of Ramsar Sites? Answer: Tamilnadu (14) followed by Uttar Pradesh (9).

Number of wetlands under Montreux Record: 2.

Montreux Record

Montreux Record under the Convention is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance 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 List.
The Montreux Record was established by Recommendation of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (1990).
Sites may be added to and removed from the Record only with the approval of the Contracting Parties in which they lie.
Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
Chilka lake (Odisha) was placed in the record but was later removed from it.

Definition of Wetlands

Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally.

The Ramsar Convention definition for wetlands includes marshes, floodplains, rivers and lakes, mangroves, coral reefs and other marine areas no deeper than 6 metres at low tide, as well as human-made wetlands such as waste-water treatment ponds and reservoirs.

Wetlands, according to the Environment Ministry, are an “area of marsh, fen, peatland or water; whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres, but does not include river channels, paddy fields, human-made water bodies/ tanks specifically constructed for drinking water purposes and structures specifically constructed for aquaculture, salt production, recreation and irrigation purposes.”

Wetlands are regulated under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
The 2010 version of the Rules provided for a Central Wetland Regulatory Authority; the 2017 Rules replace it with state-level bodies and created a National Wetland Committee, which functions in an advisory role.
The newer regulations removed some items from the definition of “wetlands” including backwaters, lagoons, creeks, and estuaries.
India has 19 types of wetlands whereas Gujarat has the maximum area followed by Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Wetland Day

Wetland day: on February 2 each year
- To raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet
- To mark the day of the convention on wetlands was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971.
India is a party to the convention since 1981.
The theme for 2022: Wetland’s action for people and nature.
It emphasizes the importance of wetlands as a “source of freshwater and encourages action to restore them and stop their loss”.
The latest estimate shows that wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests.

Recently Declared Ramsar sites

Ramsar sites declared in 2022

Tampara Lake (Odisha) is among the most prominent freshwater lakes in the State of Odisha. It is called ‘Tampara’ as the depression on the ground gradually filled with rainwater from catchment flow and was called “Tamp” by the British and subsequently termed “Tampra” by the locals.

Hirakud Reservoir (Odisha), the largest earthen dam in Odisha started operating in 1957. The reservoir is important for livelihoods of fishermen, tourism, irrigation and production of hydro-energy.
Ansupa Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Odisha situated in the Cuttack district. The wetland is an oxbow lake formed by River Mahanadi.
Yashwant Sagar (Indore, Madhya Pradesh) is considered to be a stronghold of the vulnerable Sarus Crane in central India. Due to its vast shallow reed beds, the wetland is considered heaven to a large number of winter migratory birds. Presently it is mainly used for water supply to the city of Indore and is also being used for fish culture on a commercial scale.
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary ( Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu): The wetland is a protected area since 1989 and declared a Bird Sanctuary. It is an ideal habitat for winter migratory birds.
Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex (Kanya Kumari, Tamil Nadu): It is declared an Important Bird Area and lies at the southern tip of the Central Asian flyway of migratory birds. This is a man-made, inland Tank and is perennial. Copper plate inscriptions from the 9th century mention Pasumkulam, Venchikulam, Nedumarthukulam, Perumkulam, Elemchikulam and Konadunkulam.
Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): It is a large human-made irrigation tank and shelter for migratory birds as it provides a suitable environment for food, shelter, and breeding ground.
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary (Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu): It is notable as a nesting site for several migratory heron species that roost in the prominent growth of babul trees there.
Thane Creek (Maharastra): Ulhas River is the largest source of water for the creek, followed by many drainage channels from various suburban areas of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Thane. Creek is a narrow, sheltered waterway, especially an inlet in a shoreline or channel in a marsh. It has been declared as Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. Thane creek is fringed by mangroves on both banks & comprises around 20% of the total Indian mangrove species. The area is an important part of the wetland complex of the Central Asian Flyway of the birds and has been categorized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve (Baramulla district, J&K): Hygam Wetland falls within the River Jhelum basin and plays a significant role as a flood absorption basin, biodiversity conservation site, eco-tourism site, and livelihood security for the local communities.

Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve (Sri Nagar, J&K): It serves as an abode to more than four lakh resident and migratory birds of at least 21 species.

Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary– It is a man-made wetland, located in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is the largest reserve for migratory water birds and breeding resident in south India. Paddy is also irrigated in the sanctuary, on 190 acres area.
Nanda Lake– Nanda Lake is the freshwater marshes, located adjacent to one of rivulets of Zuari river in Goa. It helps the locals to store water in off-monsoon season. Stored water is used to cultivate paddy downstream of this lake. It is home to Black-headed ibis, Wire-tailed swallow, Common kingfisher, Brahminy kite and Bronze-winged jacana.
Satkosia gorge– It expands along Mahanadi River in Odisha. It was set up in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary. The Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats meet at Satkosia. Satkosia gorge wetland is known for marshes and evergreen forests.
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR)– It is located in south-eastern coastline and is famous for rich marine environment. The reserve is home to various globally important and highly threatened species like whale shark, Dugong, green sea turtle, seahorses, balanoglossus, dolphins, hawksbill turtle, sacred chanks, etc.
Vembannur Wetland Complex, Tamil Nadu
Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu and
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka and
Sirpur Wetland, Madhya Pradesh.
Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat and Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh.
Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest and Pichavaram Mangrove in Tamil Nadu, the Sakhya Sagar in Madhya Pradesh and Pala Wetland in Mizoram.

Ramsar sites declared in 2021

Haiderpur in Uttar Pradesh
Thol and Wadhwana from Gujarat
Sultanpur and Bhindawas from Haryana.

Ramsar sites declared in 2020

Nandur Madhameshwar, a first for Maharashtra.
Keshopur-Miani, Beas Conservation Reserve and Nangal in Punjab.
Nawabganj, Parvati Agra, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi and Sarsai Nawar in Uttar Pradesh.
Kabartal Lake or Kanwar Lake, a first for Bihar.
Asan Conservation Reserve, a first for Uttarakhand.
Sur sarovar in Uttar Pradesh.
Lonar Lake in Maharashtra.
Tso Kar lake in Ladakh.

Year-wise designation of 75 Ramsar sites

S. No.	Year of Designation	No of site designated (As per date of designation)
1	1981	2
2	1990	4
3	2002	13
4	2005	6
5	2012	1
6	2019	11
7	2020	5
8	2021	14
9	2022	19
	Total	75