What is a Ramsar Site?
A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands, commonly known as the Ramsar Convention.
The Convention provides an international framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
As of August 2026, with the addition of Glaw Lake of Arunachal Pradesh in the list of Ramsar Conventions, there are a total 101 Ramsar Sites in India. The 101st Ramsar Site was designated in August 03rd, 2026.
It is important to remember that a Ramsar Site is not necessarily a National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve or UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A wetland may simultaneously have more than one designation.
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Convention | Ramsar Convention on Wetlands |
| Adopted | 2 February 1971 |
| Place | Ramsar, Iran |
| Came into force | 1975 |
| Nature | International intergovernmental treaty |
| Main objective | Conservation and wise use of wetlands |
| World Wetlands Day | 2 February |
| India became Contracting Party | 1 February 1982 |
| Current Ramsar Sites in India | 101 |
| Latest Indian Ramsar Site | Glaw Lake, Arunachal Pradesh |
India’s participation in the Convention formally began on 1 February 1982.
Important trap
Ramsar Convention was NOT signed in India.
It was adopted at Ramsar, Iran.
Therefore:
Ramsar → Iran → 2 February 1971
2 February is observed as:
World Wetlands Day
It commemorates the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on 2 February 1971.
Exam trap
- Ramsar Convention → 2 February 1971
- World Wetlands Day → 2 February
- World Environment Day → 5 June
- World Water Day → 22 March
- International Day for Biological Diversity → 22 May
Meaning of “Wetland”
Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and associated plant and animal life.
They include a wide variety of ecosystems such as:
- lakes
- marshes
- swamps
- floodplains
- mangroves
- estuaries
- lagoons
- peatlands
- riverine wetlands
- reservoirs
- coastal wetlands
- intertidal areas
Very important
A Ramsar Site does not have to be a natural lake.
It can be:
- natural,
- artificial,
- freshwater,
- saline,
- coastal,
- inland,
- permanent,
- seasonal.
This is why reservoirs such as Hirakud Reservoir, Tawa Reservoir and Kopra Jalashay can be Ramsar Sites.
India’s Ramsar Status
India became a party to the Ramsar Convention on:
1 February 1982
India initially designated two sites:
- Chilika Lake — Odisha
- Keoladeo National Park — Rajasthan
Both were designated in 1981 and became the first Ramsar Sites of India.
India’s First Ramsar Sites
First Ramsar Sites of India
Chilika Lake, Odisha
and
Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
Important distinction
Both were designated on:
1 October 1981
The dates are frequently asked in chronology-based questions.
State Having the Maximum Ramsar Sites
Uttar Pradesh — 13 Sites
This is an extremely important current-affairs fact.
Uttar Pradesh — 13
- Upper Ganga River
- Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
- Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
- Saman Bird Sanctuary
- Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
- Sandi Bird Sanctuary
- Sarsai Nawar Jheel
- Sur Sarovar
- Haiderpur Wetland
- Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
- Patna Bird Sanctuary
- Sheikha Jheel Bird Sanctuary
- Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal)
The recent additions have substantially increased Uttar Pradesh’s total.
State-wise Ramsar Sites — Complete List
The following list is the most important portion for Prelims.
ANDHRA PRADESH — 1
1. Kolleru Lake
Location: Andhra Pradesh
Important facts:
- One of India’s major freshwater lake/wetland ecosystems.
- Located between the Krishna and Godavari deltas.
- Important habitat for migratory birds.
Exam association
Kolleru → Andhra Pradesh
ARUNACHAL PRADESH — 1
2. Glaw Lake
Location: Arunachal Pradesh
101st Ramsar Site of India
Designated in August 2026.
Important features:
- Located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Eastern Himalayan ecosystem.
- Freshwater lake.
- Fed by perennial mountain streams.
- Associated with the Mishmi community.
- Culturally regarded as sacred.
- Supports diverse flora, including numerous orchids.
- Habitat for water-dependent species including the white-bellied heron.
Most important current-affairs fact
Glaw Lake = Arunachal Pradesh = 101st Ramsar Site
ASSAM — 1
3. Deepor Beel
Important facts:
- Near Guwahati.
- Important freshwater wetland.
- Important habitat for waterbirds.
- One of the most important wetland ecosystems of Assam.
Remember
Deepor Beel → Assam
BIHAR — 6
4. Kabartal Wetland
Also associated with:
Kanwar/Kabar Taal
Located in Begusarai.
Important
First Ramsar Site of Bihar.
5. Nagi Bird Sanctuary
Bihar
6. Nakti Bird Sanctuary
Bihar
7. Gokul Jalashay
Bihar
8. Udaipur Jheel
Bihar
9. Gogabil Lake
Bihar
Gogabil is an oxbow wetland situated between the Ganga and Mahananda rivers and is important for migratory birds.
Bihar memory
Kabartal + Nagi + Nakti + Gokul + Udaipur + Gogabil = 6
CHHATTISGARH — 1
10. Kopra Jalashay
Important facts:
- Reservoir.
- Located in the upper catchment of the Mahanadi.
- Important habitat for migratory birds.
Remember
Kopra Jalashay → Chhattisgarh
GUJARAT — 5
11. Nalsarovar
12. Wadhvana Wetland
13. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
14. Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary
15. Chhari Dhand
The latest addition to Gujarat.
Chhari Dhand is a seasonal saline wetland located in Kutch, between the Banni grasslands and salt flats of Kachchh. It supports large numbers of waterbirds, including common cranes.
Gujarat memory
Nalsarovar – Wadhvana – Thol – Khijadia – Chhari Dhand
GOA — 1
16. Nanda Lake
Important:
Nanda Lake → Goa
It is India’s first Ramsar Site in Goa.
HARYANA — 2
17. Sultanpur National Park
Located in Gurugram district.
18. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
Largest wetland in Haryana.
Important trap
Sultanpur is in Haryana, NOT Uttar Pradesh.
This was directly tested by UPPSC in 2025.
HIMACHAL PRADESH — 3
19. Pong Dam Lake
20. Chandertal Wetland
21. Renuka Wetland
Most important
Renuka Wetland is one of the smallest Ramsar Sites in India, with an area of approximately 20 hectares.
Memory
Pong – Chandertal – Renuka
All three → Himachal Pradesh
JAMMU & KASHMIR — 5
22. Wular Lake
23. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes
24. Hokera Wetland
25. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve
26. Shallabugh Wetland Conservation Reserve
Important trap
Hokera Wetland → Jammu & Kashmir
NOT Punjab.
This location was tested by UPSC in 2022.
JHARKHAND — 1
27. Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary
Important:
It consists of interconnected wetlands including:
- Pataura Lake
- Barhel Lake
It is associated with the Rajmahal Hills and the Ganga River.
KARNATAKA — 4
28. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
29. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
30. Aghanashini Estuary
31. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
Important
Aghanashini → Karnataka
This is particularly important because it is an estuarine ecosystem.
KERALA — 3
32. Ashtamudi Wetland
33. Sasthamkotta Lake
34. Vembanad-Kol Wetland
Important facts
Sasthamkotta → Kerala
Not Tamil Nadu.
This was tested in the UPSC 2022 location question.
Vembanad-Kol
One of India’s major wetland systems.
Associated with:
- Kerala backwaters
- Kuttanad
- coastal ecosystem
LADAKH — 2
35. Tso Kar Wetland Complex
36. Tsomoriri
Both are high-altitude wetlands.
Remember
Ladakh → Tso Kar + Tsomoriri
MADHYA PRADESH — 5
37. Bhoj Wetlands
38. Sirpur Wetland
39. Sakhya Sagar
40. Yashwant Sagar
41. Tawa Reservoir
Important
Bhoj Wetlands → Madhya Pradesh
This has appeared in examination questions.
MAHARASHTRA — 3
42. Nandur Madhameshwar
43. Lonar Lake
44. Thane Creek
Lonar Lake
Extremely important:
- Meteorite impact crater lake
- Located in Maharashtra
- Famous for its unusual geological and ecological characteristics.
Thane Creek
Important for:
- coastal ecosystem
- mangroves
- flamingos
MANIPUR — 1
45. Loktak Lake
One of the most important Ramsar Sites in India.
Special feature
Phumdis
These are floating masses of vegetation, soil and organic matter.
Keibul Lamjao National Park
Located on Loktak Lake.
It is famous as the habitat of:
Sangai
The brow-antlered deer of Manipur.
Exam chain
Loktak → Manipur → Phumdis → Keibul Lamjao → Sangai
MIZORAM — 1
46. Pala Wetland
Located in Mizoram.
ODISHA — 6
47. Chilika Lake
48. Bhitarkanika Mangroves
49. Satkosia Gorge
50. Tampara Lake
51. Hirakud Reservoir
52. Ansupa Lake
Chilika Lake — Extremely Important
Chilika is:
- India’s largest coastal lagoon
- One of India’s most important wetlands
- famous for migratory birds
- important for fisheries
- associated with the Irrawaddy dolphin
Historical importance
Chilika Lake was one of India’s first Ramsar Sites.
PUNJAB — 6
53. Harike Lake
54. Kanjli Lake
55. Ropar Lake
56. Beas Conservation Reserve
57. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve
58. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
Important geography
Harike
Located at the confluence of:
Beas + Sutlej
This is a classic examination question.
RAJASTHAN — 5
59. Keoladeo National Park
60. Sambhar Lake
61. Menar Wetland Complex
62. Khichan Wetland
63. Siliserh Lake
Keoladeo National Park
Formerly:
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Important:
- Rajasthan
- major bird sanctuary
- Ramsar Site
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- important migratory bird habitat
Montreux Record
Keoladeo National Park is one of India’s sites associated with the Montreux Record.
SIKKIM — 1
64. Khachoedpalri Wetland
Important:
Khachoedpalri → Sikkim
TAMIL NADU — 20
Tamil Nadu has one of the largest concentrations of Ramsar Sites in India.
65. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
66. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
67. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
68. Karikili Bird Sanctuary
69. Pichavaram Mangrove
70. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest
71. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
72. Vembannur Wetland Complex
73. Vellode Bird Sanctuary
74. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
75. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
76. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex
77. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary
78. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
79. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
80. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
81. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary
82. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
83. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary
84. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary
Tamil Nadu memory
Tamil Nadu = 20 Ramsar Sites
This makes Tamil Nadu one of the most important states for Ramsar-related mapping questions.
TRIPURA — 1
85. Rudrasagar Lake
Important:
Rudrasagar → Tripura
UPSC has repeatedly tested this location.
UTTAR PRADESH — 13
This is the most important state for UPPSC/UPPCS aspirants.
86. Upper Ganga River
87. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
88. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
89. Saman Bird Sanctuary
90. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
91. Sandi Bird Sanctuary
92. Sarsai Nawar Jheel
93. Sur Sarovar
94. Haiderpur Wetland
95. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
96. Patna Bird Sanctuary
97. Sheikha Jheel Bird Sanctuary
98. Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal)
Uttar Pradesh — Current Affairs Additions
Patna Bird Sanctuary
Added in January 2026.
It is in Etah district and supports a wide diversity of birds and plants. Ramsar designated it along with Chhari Dhand in January 2026.
Sheikha Jheel Bird Sanctuary
Became India’s 99th Ramsar Site in April 2026.
Important features:
- partially artificial wetland complex
- associated with the Upper Ganga Canal
- important bird habitat
- supports threatened turtles
- important for Sarus crane and other birds
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary — Surha Tal
This became India’s:
100th Ramsar Site
Located in:
Ballia, Uttar Pradesh
Extremely important
99th → Sheikha Jheel
100th → Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary / Surha Tal
101st → Glaw Lake
This chronology is highly probable for current-affairs questions.
UTTARAKHAND — 1
99. Asan Conservation Reserve
Important:
Asan → Uttarakhand
It is a wetland associated with the Asan River and reservoir ecosystem.
WEST BENGAL — 2
100. East Kolkata Wetlands
101. Sundarban Wetland
East Kolkata Wetlands
Important example of an urban wetland ecosystem.
It performs important ecological functions including wastewater treatment and supports fisheries/agriculture.
Sundarban Wetland
Associated with:
- Ganga-Brahmaputra delta
- mangrove ecosystem
- tidal wetlands
- Royal Bengal Tiger habitat
IMPORTANT “FIRST” FACTS
First Ramsar Sites in India : Chilika Lake + Keoladeo National Park
First Ramsar Site in Bihar : Kabartal Wetland
First Ramsar Site in Goa: Nanda Lake
First Ramsar Site in Arunachal Pradesh : Glaw Lake
99th Ramsar Site : Sheikha Jheel
100th Ramsar Site : Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary / Surha Tal
101st Ramsar Site : Glaw Lake
IMPORTANT “LARGEST / SMALLEST” FACTS
Largest Ramsar Site in India
Sundarban Wetland — West Bengal
It covers approximately 423,000 hectares.
But note the terminology
Some older examination material states:
Chilika = largest Ramsar Site
This needs caution.
Chilika is the largest coastal lagoon and one of India’s largest Ramsar Sites, whereas the Sundarban Wetland has a much larger Ramsar-designated area.
Therefore, always read the exact wording of the question.
Smallest Ramsar Site
Renuka Wetland — Himachal Pradesh
Approximately:
20 hectares
This is an important static GK fact.
Most Important Current Affairs — 2025–26
These should be separately revised before the examination.
2025 Additions
Important additions included:
Gokul Jalashay
Udaipur Jheel
Gogabil Lake
Kopra Jalashay
Menar Wetland Complex
Khichan Wetland
Siliserh Lake
Tawa Reservoir
and others.
India’s Ramsar tally reached 96 by December 2025.
2026 Additions
January 2026
India reached 98 with:
Chhari Dhand — Gujarat
Patna Bird Sanctuary — Uttar Pradesh
April 2026
99th
Sheikha Jheel Bird Sanctuary — Uttar Pradesh
June 2026
100th
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) — Uttar Pradesh
August 2026
101st
Glaw Lake — Arunachal Pradesh
The 98 → 99 → 100 → 101 Sequence
This deserves separate memorisation:
98 — Chhari Dhand + Patna Bird Sanctuary
99 — Sheikha Jheel
100 — Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal)
101 — Glaw Lake
This is an extremely likely current-affairs question.
Most Probable Exam Questions
Q1. Ramsar Convention was adopted at:
Ramsar, Iran
Q2. Ramsar Convention was adopted in:
1971
Q3. World Wetlands Day:
2 February
Q4. India became a Ramsar Contracting Party in:
1982
Q5. India’s first Ramsar Sites:
Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park
Q6. India’s 101st Ramsar Site:
Glaw Lake
Q7. Glaw Lake is located in:
Arunachal Pradesh
Q8. India’s 100th Ramsar Site:
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary / Surha Tal
Q9. India’s 99th Ramsar Site:
Sheikha Jheel
Q10. State with maximum Ramsar Sites:
Uttar Pradesh — 13
Q11. State with 20 Ramsar Sites:
Tamil Nadu
Q12. Loktak Lake is in:
Manipur
Q13. Phumdis are associated with:
Loktak Lake
Q14. Sambhar Lake is in:
Rajasthan
Q15. Lonar Lake is famous for:
Meteorite impact crater
Q16. Hokera Wetland is in:
Jammu & Kashmir
Q17. Sasthamkotta Lake is in:
Kerala
Q18. Rudrasagar Lake is in:
Tripura
Q19. Nanda Lake is in:
Goa
Q20. Asan Conservation Reserve is in:
Uttarakhand
Ramsar Sites Criteria
The Ramsar Convention has nine criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance.
These are extremely important for UPSC and State PCS.
Criterion 1
A wetland should contain a representative, rare or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type.
Example concept
A wetland may be internationally important because it represents a particular type of ecosystem.
Criterion 2
A wetland supports vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered species, or threatened ecological communities.
Keywords
Threatened species → Criterion 2
Criterion 3
A wetland supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.
Keyword
Biogeographic diversity → Criterion 3
Criterion 4
A wetland supports plant or animal species at a critical stage of their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.
Examples include:
breeding,
spawning,
nursery,
feeding,
migration.
Keyword
Critical life-cycle stage → Criterion 4
Criterion 5
A wetland regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
Memory trick
5 → 20,000 waterbirds
Criterion 6
A wetland regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.
Memory trick
6 → 1% waterbird population
Criterion 7
A wetland supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families and contributes to global biological diversity.
Criterion 8
A wetland is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks depend.
Keyword
Fish → Criterion 7 & 8
Criterion 9
A wetland regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-dependent non-avian animal.
Difference between 6 and 9
| Criterion | 1% population of |
| Criterion 6 | Waterbirds |
| Criterion 9 | Non-avian wetland-dependent animals |
Important One-Liners
For last-day revision:
- Ramsar Convention → 1971
- Ramsar → Iran
- World Wetlands Day → 2 February
- India joined Ramsar → 1 February 1982
- First Indian Ramsar Sites → Chilika + Keoladeo
- Current Indian Ramsar Sites → 101
- Maximum sites → Uttar Pradesh
- UP → 13 sites
- Tamil Nadu → 20 sites
- 101st → Glaw Lake
- 100th → Surha Tal
- 99th → Sheikha Jheel
- 98th → Chhari Dhand + Patna Bird Sanctuary
- Montreux → ecological-character change
- Indian Montreux sites → Keoladeo + Loktak
- Phumdis → Loktak
- Sangai → Loktak
- Meteorite crater → Lonar
- Inland saline wetland → Sambhar
- Coastal lagoon → Chilika
- Mangrove → Sundarban/Bhitarkanika/Pichavaram
- Urban wetland → East Kolkata Wetlands
- High-altitude wetlands → Tso Kar/Tsomoriri
- Smallest → Renuka Wetland
- Harike → Beas + Sutlej
- Sasthamkotta → Kerala
- Hokera → J&K
- Rudrasagar → Tripura
- Sultanpur → Haryana
- Glaw → Arunachal Prades
