Ramsar site 2022 in India

1. Ramsar Sites in India 2022 in Hindi | New List of Ramsar Sites in India 2022 in Hindi | List of Indian Wetlands of International Importance under Ramsar Convention

Ramsar site included in 1981.

1. Chilika Lake (Odisha) (1981)

2. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) (1981)

Ramsar site included in 1990.

3. Loktak Lake (Manipur) (1990)

4. Wular Lake (Jammu and Kashmir) (1990)

5. Harike Lake (Punjab) (1990)

6. Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan) (1990)

Ramsar sites included in 2002.

7. Kanjali Lake (Punjab) (2002)

8. Ropar (Punjab) (2002)

9. Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh) (2002)

10. Deepor Beel (Assam) (2002)

11. Pong Dam Lake (Himachal Pradesh) (2002)

12. Tso-Moriri (Union Territory of Ladakh) (2002)

13. Ashtamudi Wetland (Kerala) (2002)

14. Sasthamkotta Lake (Kerala) (2002)

15. Vembanad-Kole Wetland (Kerala) (2002)

16. Bhoj Wetland, Bhopal, (Madhya Pradesh) (2002)

17. Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha) (2002)

18. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) (2002)

19. East Calcutta Wetlands (West Bengal) (2002)

Ramsar sites included in 2005.

20. Chandertal Wetland (HP) (2005)

21. Renuka Wetland (HP) (2005)

22. Hokera Wetland (Jammu and Kashmir) (2005)

23. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes (J&K) (2005)

24. Rudrasagar Lake (Tripura) (2005)

25. Upper Ganga River, (Brajghat to Narora stretch) (Uttar Pradesh) (2005)

Ramsar sites included in 2012.

26. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (Gujarat) (2012)

Ramsar sites included in 2019 .

27. Sundar Forest Delta (West Bengal) (2019)

28. Nandur Madhameshwar, Nashik (Maharashtra) (2019)

29. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Unnao (Uttar Pradesh) (2019)

30. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve (Punjab) (2019)

31. Beas Conservation Reserve (Punjab) (2019)

32. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Rupnagar (Punjab) (2019)

33. Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Hardoi (Uttar Pradesh) (2019)

34. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Rae Bareli (Uttar Pradesh) (2019)

35. Saman Bird Sanctuary, Mainpuri (Uttar Pradesh) (2019)

36. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Gonda (Uttar Pradesh) (2019)

37. Sarsai Navar Lake, Etawah (Uttar Pradesh) (2019)

Ramsar sites included in 2020.

38. Asan Reserve (Uttarakhand) (2020)

39. Kabar Tal (Bihar) (2020)

40. Lonar Lake (Maharashtra) (2020)

41. Sur Sarovar or Keetham Lake (Agra, Uttar Pradesh) (2020)

42. Tso Kar Lek (UT of Ladakh) 2020)

Ramsar sites included in 2021.

43. Sultanpur National Park (Haryana) (2021)

44. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary (Haryana) (2021)

45. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat) (2021)

46. Wadhwana Wetland (Gujarat) (2021)

2. State Wise List of Ramsar Sites

State Wise List of Ramsar Sites
No.	State/UT	Ramsar Site	Year of establishment
1	Odisha	1. Chilika Lake 2. Bhitarkanika Mangroves	1981 2002
2	Rajasthan	1. Keoladeo National Park 2. Sambhar Lake	1981 1990
3	Manipur	1. Loktak Lake	1990
4	Jammu and Kashmir	1. Wular Lake 2. Hokera Wetland 3. Surinsar-Mansar Lake	1990 2005 2005
5	Punjab	1. Harike Lake 2. Kanjali Lake 3. Ropar 4. Keshopur-Miani Reserve 5. Diameter Conservation Reserve 6. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary	1990 2002 2002 2019 2019 2019
6	Andhra Pradesh	1. Kolleru Lake	2002
7	Assam	1. Deepor Beel	2002
8	Himachal Pradesh	1. Pong Dam Lake 2. Chandertal Wetland 3. Renuka Wetland	2002 2005 2005
9	Ladakh	1. Tso-moriri 2. Tso Kar Lake	2002 2020
10	Kerala	1. Ashtamudi Wetland 2. Sasthamkotta Lake 3. Vembanad-Kol Wetland	2002 2002 2002
11	Madhya Pradesh	1. Bhoj Wetland	2002
12	Tamil Nadu	1. Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary	2002
13	West Bengal	1. East Calcutta Wetlands 2. Sunderbans Wetland	2002 2019
14	Tripura	1. Rudrasagar Lake	2005
15	Uttar Pradesh	1. Upper Ganges River 2. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary 3. Sandi Bird Sanctuary 4. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary 5. Saman Bird Sanctuary 6. Parvati-Arga Sanctuary 7. Sarsai Navar Lake 8. Sur Sarovar or Keetham Lake	2005 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2020
16	Gujarat	1. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary 2. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary 3. Wadhwana Wetlands	2012 2021 2021
17	Maharashtra	1. Nandur Madhameshwar Sanctuary 2. Lonar Lake	2019 2020
18	Uttarakhand	1. Asan Barrage	2020
19	A state in Eastern India	1. Kabar Tal	2020
20	Haryana	1. Sultanpur National Park 2. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary	2021 2021

Ramsar site in Odisha

1. Chilika Lake
Chilika is the largest (world's second) brackish lagoon (Anup Lake) of India. This lake is spread over an area of 1165 square kilometers in the eastern coast of the state of Odisha, India. The lake is bounded on the north-east by the cultivated plains of the Daya and Bhargavi valleys, on the north-west and west by the forests of the Eastern Ghats in the Puri and Ganjam districts, and on the south and south-east. It is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal. The lagoon can be divided into four ecological zones mainly on the basis of salinity and depth – southern zone, central zone, northern zone and outer channel.
It was declared a Ramsar site in 1981. It was the first Indian lake to be declared a Ramsar site. Many endangered, rare, threatened and vulnerable species are found here, such as the Irrawady dolphin, dugong, green sea turtle, spoonbill , blackbuck and fishing cat.

2. Bhitarkanika Mangroves
Bhitarkanika Mangroves is located in the Bhitarkanika National Park in the state of Odisha, India. It was declared a Ramsar site in August 2002. Mangrove forests are found in Bhitarkanika, which represents the Indo-Malayan mangrove community. This Bhitarkanika mangrove is spread over an area of 650 square kilometers in the delta area of two rivers Brahmani and Baitarani. A variety of wetland habitats are found here, from tidal rivers and creeks to river islands and intertidal zones.
Gahirmatha beach, which forms the eastern boundary of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, is the largest nesting beach of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle in the world. The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is an endangered species according to the IUCN Red List. About 5 lakh Olive Ridley Sea Turtle nests in Gahirmatha every year.

The highest density of endangered saltwater crocodile is found in Bhitarkanika in India. Gray Pelican is also found here. It is a vulnerable species according to the IUCN Red List. Water Monitor Lizard is also found here, which is rare in most parts of India.

Five species of marine dolphins are found in this area. The most common species found in the region is the Indo-pacific Humpbacked Dolphin. The other four species are the Irrawady Dolphin, the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin, the Common Dolphin, and the Finless Black Porpoise.

Ramsar site in Rajasthan

1. Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo National Park (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is a bird sanctuary located in Rajasthan, India. It was earlier known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Keoladeo National Park is located at the confluence of the Gambhir and Banganga rivers in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. The site is spread over an area of 28.73 square kilometres, and is located about 50 kilometers west of Agra city.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a man-made and man-managed wetland and is one of the national parks of India. It was declared a Ramsar site in 1981. This national park has also been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in the year 1985.

The Siberian Crane, an endangered species, regularly winters only in Keoladeo National Park in India from Siberia.

2. Sambhar Lake |

It is the largest brackish water lake in India, located 60 km west of Jaipur in Rajasthan. It was declared a Ramsar site in 1990. It is spread over an area of 240 square kilometers. Sambhar Lake receives water from four seasonal rivers (Rupangarh, Mentha, Khari, Khandela).

Sambhar water is extensively used for making salt. The salt made from the water of Sambhar Lake has a very low potassium concentration. It is a special feature. Some specific organisms are found in the water of this lake, such as green algae, Dunaliella salina etc.

Ramsar site in Manipur

1. Loktak Lake

Loktak Lake is spread over an area of 266 square kilometer in Bishanpur district of Manipur. It is the largest natural freshwater lake in the North Eastern region of India. It was declared a Ramsar site in 1990. It is world famous for naturally occurring mass of floating vegetation.

The largest floating island on Loktak Lake is called "Keibul Lamjao" and has an area of 40 sq km. It is the only habitat of Sangai deer or Thamin or Brow-antlered deer which is an endangered species. This Phumids has been declared a protected area by the Government of India in the name of Keibul Lamjao National Park. Keibul Lamjao National Park is the only floating national park in the world.

Ramsar site in Jammu and Kashmir

1. Wular Lake

This lake is located in Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir state. It was declared a Ramsar site in 1990. It is spread over an area of 189 square kilometers. Wular is the largest fresh water lake in India surrounded by high mountain ranges on the north-east side. Jhelum river pours its water into this lake. According to the season the size of this lake keeps on changing. Its size varies between 30 sq km to 260 sq km. The Tulbul Project is located at the mouth of Wular Lake.

2. Hokera Wetland

It is a natural permanent wetland area located near Srinagar in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2005. It is spread over an area of 13.75 square kilometer. It is located in the North West Himalayas of Kashmir.

3. Surinsar-Mansar Lake

Surinsar-Mansar Lake is a group of freshwater lakes located in the semi-arid Punjab Plains. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2005. It is spread over an area of 3.5 square kilometers.

Surinsar Lake is a lake located in the Jammu district of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is 42 km from Jammu city. It is situated far away. About 9 K.m from Surinsar Lake. Mansar Lake is situated far away. Mansar-Surinsar is sometimes referred to as the twin lakes. Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated between these two lakes.

Ramsar site in Punjab

1. Harike Lake

Harike Lake is spread over an area of 41 square kilometers in Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Amritsar districts of Punjab state, India. It was declared a Ramsar site in 1990. Harike Lake is a shallow water reservoir with 13 islands, located at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers. The lake is triangular in shape. Harike Barrage connects Amritsar city with Firozpur, Faridkot and Bhatinda by a national highway.

Here the Testudine turtle and Smooth Indian otter species are found. Both these fauna species have been placed in the Threatened category of the IUCN Red List.

2. Kanjali Lake

It is a man-made freshwater wetland area in Kapurthala district in the Indian state of Punjab. It is spread over an area of 1.83 square kilometer. It was built on the Bien River in 1870. The Bien River is a tributary of the Beas River.

It was declared a Ramsar site in February 2002. Kanjali Lake is considered to be the most important in the state of Punjab from a religious point of view, as it is associated with the first Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

3. Ropar

The region is located in the Shivalik foothills of the lower Himalayas and was created in 1952 on the Sutlej River, for irrigation, drinking and industrial use in the Indian state of Punjab. It is a man-made freshwater reservoir. It is spread over an area of 13.65 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in February 2002.

Indian otter, sambar and hog deer (included in Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972) are found in this wetland. It is also the habitat of the endangered Indian Pangolin.

4. Keshopur - Miani Community Reserve

It is located in the floodplains of the Ravi and Beas rivers in the state of Punjab, India. It is spread over an area of 3.439 square kilometers. It was declared as Ramsar site in September 2019.

The endangered spotted pond turtle and common pochard are found here.

5. Diameter Conservation Reserve

It is located in the north-west of the state of Punjab, India. The Beas Conservation Reserve is a 185-km stretch of the Beas River. It is spread over an area of 64.289 square kilometers. It was declared as Ramsar site in 2019.

6. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Rupnagar

It is located at 100 km from Chandigarh in Punjab, India. This site is located in the Shivalik foothills of Punjab. It covers an area of 1.16 square kilometres.

Ramsar site in Andhra Pradesh

1. Kolleru Lake

Kolleru Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India spread over two districts - Krishna and West Godavari districts in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is situated between the river basins of Godavari and Krishna rivers. It is spread over an area of 901 square kilometer. Kolleru Lake is mainly fed by two seasonal rivers, Budameru and Tammileru. The lake eventually joins the Bay of Bengal through the Upputeru River. It is a habitat for a large number of migratory birds. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2002.

Ramsar site in Assam

1. Deepor Beel

Deepor Beel is a freshwater lake located in Kamrup district of Assam state, India. It is situated to the south-west of the city of Guwahati and on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. It is spread over an area of 40 square kilometers. It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2002.

Ramsar site in Himachal Pradesh

1. Pong Dam Lake

Pong Dam is located in the Kangar district of Himachal Pradesh state, India. Pong Dam is a water storage reservoir, which is spread over an area of 156.62 square kilometer. It is situated on the Beas river near the foothills of the Himalayas on the northern side of the Indo-Gangetic plain. It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2002.

2. Chandertal Wetland

Chandertal is a freshwater wetland in the cold desert part of the Western Himalayas, located near the Kunzam Pass that connects the Himalayas and the Pir Panchal ranges. It is located in the upper Chandra valley of the Chandra River, in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Chandra River originates from Chandra Tal, which later joins Bhaga River (Bhaga River originates from Suraj Tal) to Chandrabhaga and Jammu and Kashmir starts being called Chenab. Chandertal Wetland is spread over an area of 0.49 square kilometer. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2005.

Immature glacier type of soil is found here. CITES and IUCN Red-listed species like Snow Leopard, Bobak Marmot, Royal's vole, Himalayan Ibex, Blue sheep etc. are found here.

3. Renuka Wetland

Renuka Wetland is located in the district Sirmaur in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is a natural wetland, which is fed by a small stream originating from the Giri River. It is spread over an area of 0.2 square kilometer. Renuka Wetland is the smallest Ramsar site in India. The religious importance of this lake is high. It is named after the mother of Hindu sage Parashurama (Goddess Renuka) and is visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists considering it sacred. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2005.

Ramsar site in the Union Territory of Ladakh

1. Tso-moriri

Tsomori is known as one of the highest lakes in the world. It is a freshwater as well as saline lake located in the Changthang Plateau region of the Union Territory of Ladakh. It is a salt water lake as there is no drainage of water from the lake. It is spread over an area of 120 square kilometers. The lake is situated at an altitude of 4,522 m. It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2002.

Tsomoriri is a unique example of a wetland type in the Trans-Himalayan biogeographical zone. The Tsomoriri and Tsokar wetlands provide the only breeding ground for Barheaded goose in India and the only breeding ground for Blackneck crane after China.

2. Tso Kar Lake

Tso Kar is a high altitude wetland located in the Changthan region of the Union Territory of Ladakh. It consists of two connected lakes, the freshwater Startsapuk Tso and the hypersaline Tso Kar. It provides a notable example of two such lakes of freshwater and hypersaline types that exist in close proximity. It is spread over an area of 95.77 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2020. It is also known as 42nd Ramsar site of India.

The area is situated along the route of the Central Asian Flyways which serves as an important stopover ground for migratory birds and is one of the most important breeding sites. The distinctive character of this basin, namely the presence of both salt and freshwater, makes it a unique wetland not only in Ladakh, but throughout the Indian subcontinent. Several threatened species such as the endangered saker falcon and the Asian wild dog or dhole (Asiatic) wild dog or dhole), and vulnerable snow leopard live in this place. The wetland is considered sacred by the local Changpa community.

Ramsar site in Kerala

1. Ashtamudi Wetland

It is spread over an area of 614 square kilometers in Kollam district of Kerala. Ashtamudi is the second largest wetland in Kerala and is part of the estuarine system. This is an anoop lake. The major river that supplies water to Ashtamudi is the Kallada River, formed by the confluence of three rivers (Kulathupuzha, Chendurni and Kalthuruthy). It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2002.

2. Sasthamkotta Lake

Sasthamkotta Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala. It is spread over an area of 3.73 square kilometers in Kollam district of Kerala. It is the source of drinking water for the people of Kollam district. It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2002.

3. Vembanad-Kol Wetland

Vembanad-Kol is the largest lake in India and also the largest lake in the state of Kerala. With an area of 1512.5 square kilometres, it is the second largest Ramsar site in India after the Sundarbans in West Bengal. It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2002. The lake is bordered by Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in a part of the lake. The Government of India has identified the Vembanad Wetland under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.

Vembanad-Kol is the largest saline, humid tropical wetland ecosystem on the southwest coast of India. The Vembanad-Kol wetland is fed by 10 rivers and all these rivers originate from the Western Ghats. The Vembanad-Kol Wetland forms a continuous chain of 96 km long characterized by lagoons or backwaters, which is one of the largest estuarine systems in Kerala.

The Vembanad-Kol Wetland provides habitat to the third largest population of water birds in India during the winter months. The endangered species here include the Spot-billed Pelican; Oriental Darter; Water Cock & Black-billed Tern etc. are found.

Ramsar site in Madhya Pradesh

1. Bhoj Wetland

Bhoj Wetlands are two man-made lakes located in the city of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India, which are known as Upper and Lower lakes. It is spread over an area of 32.01 square kilometer. The upper lake was formed in the 11th century by the construction of a dam on the Kolan River, which is surrounded by Van Vihar National Park on the south, and the lower part is surrounded by human settlements. Has happened. It was declared as Ramsar site in November 2002.

Ramsar site in Tamil Nadu

1. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

It is situated at the southern end of Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. It is spread over an area of 385 square kilometers. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary includes Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Great Vedarnyam Swamp (GVS) and Talaignayar Reserve Forest (TRF). It was declared a Ramsar site in 2002.

The Point Calimere area was first identified in 1962 by Dr. Salim Ali as an area of high conservation importance for birds. It is a coastal wetland with a variety of habitats and ecological features, including intertidal salt marshes, forested wetlands, mangroves and brackish to saline lagoons. More than 209 bird species have been identified here. According to the IUCN Red List, the endangered Gray Pelican, the endangered Asian Dowitcher, the vulnerable Spoonbill Sandpiper, etc. are found here.

Ramsar site in West Bengal

1. East Calcutta Wetlands | East Kolkata Wetland

The East Calcutta Wetlands are a mixed wetlands of natural and man-made. It is located in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal. Sewer removal also takes place here at many places. It is spread over an area of 125 square kilometers. It was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002. Rare mammals like Marsh mongoose, small Indian mongoose, Palm civet and Small Indian civet are found here.

2. Sunderbans Wetland

The Sundarbans Wetland is spread over an area of 4230 square kilometer in two administrative districts 24-Parganas (South) and 24 Parganas (North) in West Bengal. Sunderbans Wetland is the largest Ramsar site in India. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2019. It is bounded by the Hooghly River in the west, Ichamati-Kalindi-Raimangal in the east, the Dampier-Hodges line in the north and the Bay of Bengal in the south. is surrounded. The Sundarbans wetland is located within the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans constitute more than 60% of the total mangrove forest area in the entire country and account for 90% of the total Indian mangrove species.

The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is located within the Sundarbans Wetland and has been declared as a "Critical Tiger Habitat" under national law. It is also a "Tiger Conservation Landscape" of global importance. The Sundarbans is the only mangrove habitat that has a significant population of tigers. The tiger reserve is home to a large number of endangered and globally threatened species such as fishing cat and estuarine crocodile, Gangetic and Irrawady dolphin, king cobra, etc.

Ramsar site in Tripura

1. Rudrasagar Lake

Rudrasagar Lake is a lowland sedimentation reservoir located in the hills of the Northeast, which is fed by three perennial rivers Oacherra, Durlavnaraya cherra and Kemtalicherra. It is spread over an area of 2.4 square kilometers. It is located in Melaghar Block under Somura Sub-Division in West Tripura District and is at a distance of about 50 km from the capital of Tripura State. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2005.

Ramsar site in Uttar Pradesh

1. Upper Ganges River, Brajghat to Narora stretch

It is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is 85 km in length from Brijghat to Narora. It is spread over an area of 265.9 square kilometers. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2005. The Ganges River dolphins, listed in the Upper Ganga River CITES, IUCN Redbook, are a species of crocodile. Under national law, these species are protected in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

2. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Unnao

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is a shallow swamp located on National Highway 25 near Nawabganj town in Unnao district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 2.246 square kilometer. It is supplied by monsoon rains and additional water by the Sarada Canal. It is at a distance of about 45 kms from Lucknow. It was declared as Ramsar site in 2019.

3. Sandi Bird Sanctuary

It is located in Bilgram Tehsil of Hardoi district in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The Sandi Bird Sanctuary is a freshwater swamp that actually represents the ecosystems characteristic of the Indo-Gangetic Plains. It is spread over an area of 30.85 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in 2019.

The main source of water for the wetland is monsoon rains, which it receives through natural springs. Species like common teal, red-crested pochard and ferruginous duck, while the vulnerable sarus crane are found here. The bluebuck, which is an endemic mammal species to Asia, is found in this region.

4. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary

Samaspur Bird Sanctuary is a perennial lowland area of the Indo-Gangetic Plains located in Salon tehsil of Rae Bareli district of Uttar Pradesh. Its associated 6 lakes (Samaspur, Mamani, Gorwa, Hasanpur, Hakkaganj and Rohaniyare) are heavily dependent on monsoon rains. The Samaspur wetland is perennial and receives water from the Sharda Canal. It is spread over an area of 79.94 square kilometer. It was declared a Ramsar site in October 2019. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary is home to species like the endangered Egyptian vulture and Pallas's fish eagle and vulnerable common pochard.

5. Saman Bird Sanctuary

It is located near village Saman in Karhal Tehsil of Mainpuri District in Uttar Pradesh State. It was established in the year 1990. It is spread over an area of 52.63 square kilometer. It receives water from the annual monsoon rains. Saman Bird Sanctuary is a seasonal lake which is generally representative of the Gangetic flood plains. It was declared as Ramsar site in December 2019.

6. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary

It is located in Tarabganj Tehsil in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh state. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary is a permanent freshwater wetland consisting of two lakes. This sanctuary is named after the two Gokhur lakes located in it - Parvati Lake and Arga Lake. It was a part of river Saryu. When the river changed its course, these lakes were left as its remains. It is one of the largest natural wetlands in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is spread over an area of 7.22 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in December 2019. The critically endangered white-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, and endangered Egyptian vulture are found in the Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary.

7. Sarsai Navar Lake

Sarsai Navar Wetland is a bird sanctuary located in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh. Its goal is to conserve waterbirds, especially the stork crane. The Sarsai Navar Jheel is a permanent shallow swamp. It is spread over an area of 16.13 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in 2019. The critically endangered white-rumped vulture, the endangered woolly-necked stork, etc. are found in the Sarsai Navar Lake area.

8. Sur Sarovar or Keetham Lake

Sur Sarovar, also known as Keetham Lake, is a man-made reservoir located on the banks of the Yamuna River, 20 km from the city of Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is spread over an area of 4.31 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in August 2020. This lake was originally created to supply water to the city of Agra in summer, but soon this wetland became an important and rich ecosystem.

Ramsar site in Gujarat

1. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is under the administrative jurisdiction of Surendranagar and Ahmedabad districts of Gujarat. It is spread over an area of 120 square kilometers. It was declared a Ramsar site in 2012. The Nalsarovar wetland is also home to the endangered Indian Wild Ass, which uses the area during the dry season. Blackbuck mammal species are also found in this sanctuary.

Ramsar site in Maharashtra

1. Nandur Madhameshwar Bird Sanctuary

It is situated in Niphad tehsil of Nashik district of Maharashtra at the confluence of Godavari and Kadawa rivers. It is spread over an area of 14.37 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in September 2019. This is the first Ramsar site in Maharashtra.

The site provides shelter to some of India's most iconic species, such as the leopard and Indian sandalwood, the critically endangered species Deolali minnow, Indian vulture and white-rumped vulture.

2. Lonar Lake

Lonar Lake, also known as the Lonar Crater, a Notified National Geo-Heritage Site, is a natural, brackish water lake located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra. It was formed due to a meteorite hitting the Earth in the Deccan Traps region. The water in the lake is both saline and alkaline. The diameter of the Lonar Lake is 1.2 kilometers and it is about 137 meters below the crater rim. It is spread over an area of 4.27 square kilometres. It was declared as Ramsar site in July 2020.

Ramsar site in Uttarakhand

1. Asan Barrage

The Asan Barrage comprises a freshwater wetland system at the confluence of the Asan River and the Yamuna River canal near Dhalipur in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is spread over an area of 4.44 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in 2020. This is the first Ramsar site of Uttarakhand. The critically endangered red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture and the Baer's pochard are found in the Asan Barrage region. etc. are found.

Ramsar site in Bihar

1. Kabar Tal

Kabar Tal is a shallow freshwater lake in Begusarai district in the Indian state of Bihar. The Kabar Tal Wetland, also known as Kanwar Lake, is a wetland nestled in the depression between the Burhi Gandak and the paleochannel of River Bagmati. It is spread over an area of 26.20 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in 2020 (first Ramsar site in Bihar). Five critically endangered species inhabit the site, including three vultures—the red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture and Indian vulture—and two waterbirds, the sociable lapwing and Baer's pochard.

Wetlands in India are classified into four major types on the basis of topographical variation-

Himalayan wetlands,
Wetlands in the Gangetic plain,
wetlands in the desert and

3. National Wetland Conservation Programe

For the conservation and management of the identified wetlands including Ramsar sites in India, the National Wetlands Conservation Program (NWCP) was implemented in the year 2012-13. The NWCP was later merged into the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems' (NPCA) to achieve holistic conservation of lakes and wetlands.

NPCA/NWCP Criteria for Wetland Selection

1. Rare or unique wetland types.

2. Criteria based on species and ecological communities.

3. Specific criteria based on water birds.

4. Specific criteria based on fish;

5. Specific criteria based on water / life and culture.

4.What is Ramsar Pact? What is Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific value. Ramsar is a city in Iran where an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands was signed on 2 February 1971. Hence it is known as Ramsar Convention. It came into effect from 21st December 1975.

The purpose of the Ramsar Convention is to protect important wetlands in the world. The mission of the Ramsar Convention is the conservation and fair and inclusive use of all wetlands in the world through local, national and international cooperation. Signatories to the Ramsar Convention are required to formulate laws that ensure the conservation and inclusive use of listed wetlands within their territory. When a wetland is declared a Ramsar site, it is protected under strict guidelines.

There are approximately 2100 Ramsar sites around the world with the largest area covered by the Ramsar sites of Canada. According to the Ramsar Secretariat (2013), there are 1052 Ramsar sites in Europe; 289 sites in Asia; 359 sites in Africa; 175 sites in South America; 211 sites in North America; And there are 79 sites in the Oceania region, which are designated as Ramsar sites or wetlands of international importance. The world's first Ramsar site was the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia, designated in 1974.

In October 1981, India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention, designating Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) as India's first two Ramsar sites. . Subsequently, in 1990 four additional sites were designated - Loktak Lake (Manipur), Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan), Harike Lake (Punjab) and Wular Lake (Jammu and Kashmir). 14 more Ramsar sites (Nandur Madmaheshwar; Keshopur Mian; Beas Conservation Reserve; Nangal; Nawabganj; Parvati Aranga; Saman; Samaspur; Sandi; Sarsai Navar; Asan; Kabartal, Sur Sarovar; and Lonar) were added during the year 2020. At present, the total number of Ramsar sites in the country is 42.

5. What is the Montrex Record?

The Montreux Record is a list of wetland sites of international importance where ecosystem changes have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological development, pollution or other human intervention. It is a voluntary mechanism to highlight specific wetlands of international importance that are currently facing challenges. Such wetlands are included in the Montreux Record so that special attention can be paid to their conservation. The Montreux Record is created as a part of the Ramsar Catalog.

List of sites under Montreux Record

Montreux Record was established at the Conference of the Parties in 1990 (cop 1990).

Indian Sites Under Montreux Record

Currently 2 Indian sites are listed under it. In 1993 Chilka Lake was listed in the Montreux Records due to the problem of siltation, but later in 2002, it was removed from the list.

1. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

2. Loktak Lake (Manipur)

6/World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2 February every year. On this date, on February 2, 1971, the Ramsar Convention was signed in Ramsar city of Iran. World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.

7. What is a Wetland / Wetland?

Wetland is a place where the land is covered with water. Places like ponds, lakes, river deltas or seashores are called wetlands. Places where marshy wet soil is found have also been included in the category of wetland.

According to the Ramsar Convention "wetlands" are: "swamp marsh, fen, peat land or areas of water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water whether static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salty.", includes areas of sea water in which the depth does not exceed 6 meters even at low tide”. (“Wetlands” are: “areas of marsh, fen, peat land 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 meters").

The convention (paragraph 2.1) further states that wetlands "may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six meters at low tide within the wetlands".

8. Importance of Wetland Area

Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. It provides many important services for human society such as water for irrigation, fisheries, non-timber products, water supply, nutrient removal, toxins retention and biodiversity maintenance etc.

These key services of primary importance include: Carbon sequestration; Erosion control (supports wetlands vegetation that acts as a flood buffer and reduces erosion during flood events); Flood water storage (storing water during heavy rains and flood events and then releasing water gradually thereby reducing losses significantly); groundwater recharge (stored surface water moves into the ground and recharges aquifers that gradually provide water to nearby surface water bodies during low flow periods); water purification (preventing sediment, using excess nutrients present in runoff, and breaking down many waterborne contaminants); Recreational and economic benefits (cultural heritage, recreational purposes, hiking, bird watching, wildlife photography).

It has been observed that wetlands reduce the effect of floods by absorbing water and reducing the speed of water flow. This wetland is considered a natural capital alternative to traditional flood control investments such as dams and embankments. In addition, they retain suspended solids and nutrients during floods.

They also play a major role in carbon sequestration, especially in coastal wetlands. In agricultural and urban landscapes, they act as a sink for contaminants. Natural wetlands remove nitrates and phosphorus from surface and subsurface runoff. Thus, wetlands have been suggested as a low cost measure to reduce point and non-point pollution. Wetlands also help maintain species diversity as many species depend on it for their entire life cycle or for a particular stage of their life history. Basically, wetlands support the food chain by providing an environment where photosynthesis can occur and nutrients are cycling through.

9.Question and Answer

Q. How many Ramsar sites are there in India at present (2022)?

A. At present there are 46 Ramsar sites in India. India is the country with the largest number of Ramsar sites in South Asia.

Q. When did the Ramsar conference take place?

A. Ramsar is a city in Iran, where an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands was signed on 2 February 1971. Hence it is known as Ramsar Convention. It came into effect from 21st December 1975.

Q. When is World Wetlands Day / Wetland Day / World Humidity Day celebrated?

A. World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2nd February every year. On this date, the Ramsar Convention was signed in Iran's Ramsar city on February 2, 1971. World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.

Q. What was the theme of World Wetlands Day 2020?

A. Wetlands and Biodiversity

Q. Latest Ramsar sites in India 2021 / last Ramsar sites in India 2021?)

A. Ramsar sites included in 2020 -

1. Asan Reserve (Uttarakhand) (2020)

2. Kabar Tal (Bihar) (2020)

3. Lonar Lake (Maharashtra) (2020)

4.Sur Sarovar or Keetham Lake (Agra, Uttar Pradesh) (2020)

5. Tso Kar Lek (UT of Ladakh) 2020)

Q. Which is the largest Ramsar site in India?

A. Sundarbans Wetland (West Bengal) is the largest Ramsar site in India. It is spread over an area of 4230 square kilometer. It was declared as Ramsar site in 2019.

Q. Which is the smallest wetland in India? / Which is the smallest Ramsar site in India?

A. Renuka Wetland is the smallest Ramsar site in India. Renuka Wetland is located in the district Sirmaur in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is spread over an area of 0.2 square kilometer.

Q. In which state is the maximum Ramsar site in India?

A. The maximum Ramsar site in India is in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which is 8.

1. Upper Ganges River, Brajghat to Narora stretch

2. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Unnao

3. Sandi Bird Sanctuary

4. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary

5. Saman Bird Sanctuary

6. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary

7. Sarsai Navar Lake

8. Sur Sarovar or Keetham Lake

Q. Approximately how many Ramsar sites are there in the world?

A. There are about 2100 Ramsar sites around the world, with the largest area covered by the Ramsar sites of Canada.

Q. Which is the first Ramsar site in India?

A. In October 1981, Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were chosen as the first two Ramsar sites in India.

Q. When was Keoladeo declared as Ramsar site?

A. In October 1981, Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were selected as India's first two Ramsar sites.

Q.Which was chosen as the world's first Ramsar site?

A. The world's first Ramsar site was the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia, which was designated in 1974.

Ramsar site 2022 in India