Environment and Ecology — Ramsar Wetland Sites in India
1. Ramsar Sites — Overview
Context: As of February 2025, India has 89 Ramsar Sites covering over 13 lakh hectares. Tamil Nadu leads with 18 sites. India ranks highest in Asia and 3rd globally.
Key Statistics:
- Total Ramsar Sites: 89 (as of February 2025)
- State with Most Sites: Tamil Nadu (18)
- India's Global Position: Highest in Asia; 3rd Globally (after UK — 176, Mexico — 144)
- Total Wetlands in India: 1,301
2. State-wise Ramsar Sites
Ladakh (2)
- Tso Kar
- Tso Moriri Lake
Himachal Pradesh (3)
- Pangong Tso
- Renuka Lake
Jammu & Kashmir (5)
- Hokersar/Hokera Wetland
- Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve
- Shallbugh Wetland
- Surinsar-Mansar Lakes
- Wular Lake
Punjab (6)
- Beas Conservation Reserve
- Harike Wetland
- Kanjli Wetland
- Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve
- Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ropar Wetland
Haryana (2)
- Sultanpur National Park
- Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
Rajasthan (2)
- Keoladeo National Park
- Sambhar Lake
Gujarat (4)
- Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
- Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wadhwana Wetland
Madhya Pradesh (5)
- Bhoj Wetland
- Sakhya Sagar
- Sirpur Lake
- Yashwant Sagar
- Tawa Reservoir
Maharashtra (3)
- Lonar Lake
- Nandur Madhameshwar
- Thane Creek
Goa (1)
- Nanda Lake
Karnataka (4)
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
- Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
- Aghanashini Estuary
- Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
Kerala (3)
- Ashtamudi Wetland
- Sasthamkotta Lake
- Vembanad-Kol Wetland
Uttarakhand (1)
- Asan Barrage
Uttar Pradesh (10)
- Bakhira Sanctuary
- Haiderpur Wetland
- Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
- Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
- Saman Bird Sanctuary
- Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
- Sandi Bird Sanctuary
- Sarsai Nawar Jheel
- Sur Sarovar
- Upper Ganga River
Manipur (1)
- Loktak Lake
Tripura (1)
- Rudrasagar Lake
Mizoram (1)
- Pala Wetland
West Bengal (2)
- East Kolkata Wetlands
- Sundarban Wetland
Odisha (6)
- Ansupa Lake
- Bhitarkanika Mangroves
- Chilika Lake
- Hirakud Reservoir
- Satkosia Gorge
- Tampara Lake
Andhra Pradesh (1)
- Kolleru Lake
Tamil Nadu (18)
- Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
- Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
- Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
- Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
- Karikili Bird Sanctuary
- Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
- Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
- Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
- Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary
- Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest
- Pichavaram Mangrove
- Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
- Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex
- Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
- Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
- Vellode Bird Sanctuary
- Vembannur Wetland Complex
Key Point: Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India with 18 sites.
3. Wetlands in News
Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries
- Designation: Declared Bird Sanctuaries in 1984.
- Location: Jhajha forest range, Jamui district, Bihar.
- Nature: Human-made wetlands developed for irrigation via Nakti Dam.
- Wildlife Support:
- Endangered: Indian Elephant
- Vulnerable: Native Catfish (Wallago attu)
- Catchment Area: Dry deciduous forest surrounded by hills.
- Migratory Birds: Wintering habitat for 20,000+ birds, including Red-crested Pochards (one of the largest congregations in Indo-Gangetic plains).
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
- Location: Karnataka.
- Type: Human-made village irrigation tank.
- Significance: Supports >1% of the biogeographic population of Painted Stork & Black-headed Ibis.
Key Points:
- Nagi & Nakti (Bihar): Human-made wetlands; 20,000+ migratory birds; Red-crested Pochards
- Ankasamudra (Karnataka): >1% population of Painted Stork & Black-headed Ibis
4. Summary: Ramsar Sites at a Glance
| State/UT | Number of Ramsar Sites | Key Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 18 | Gulf of Mannar, Pichavaram, Point Calimere |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Upper Ganga, Haiderpur, Sur Sarovar |
| Punjab | 6 | Beas, Harike, Ropar |
| Odisha | 6 | Chilika, Bhitarkanika, Hirakud |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 5 | Wular Lake, Hokersar, Shallbugh |
| Madhya Pradesh | 5 | Bhoj, Tawa, Yashwant Sagar |
| Gujarat | 4 | Nalsarovar, Khijadia, Thol |
| Karnataka | 4 | Ranganathittu, Aghanashini, Magadi Kere |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Pangong Tso, Renuka |
| Kerala | 3 | Vembanad-Kol, Ashtamudi, Sasthamkotta |
| Maharashtra | 3 | Lonar, Thane Creek, Nandur Madhameshwar |
| Ladakh | 2 | Tso Kar, Tso Moriri |
| Haryana | 2 | Bhindawas, Sultanpur |
| Rajasthan | 2 | Keoladeo, Sambhar |
| West Bengal | 2 | Sundarban, East Kolkata |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Total Ramsar Sites: 89 (as of February 2025)
- State with Most Sites: Tamil Nadu (18 sites)
- Second Highest: Uttar Pradesh (10 sites)
- India's Global Position: Highest in Asia; 3rd Globally (after UK — 176, Mexico — 144)
- Key Wetlands in News: Nagi & Nakti (Bihar — 20,000+ birds), Ankasamudra (Karnataka — Painted Stork)
- Important Ramsar Sites: Wular Lake (J&K — largest freshwater lake in India), Chilika Lake (Odisha — brackish), Loktak Lake (Manipur — Phumdis), Sundarban (WB — largest mangrove forest), Lonar Lake (Maharashtra — meteorite impact)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Ramsar Sites)
Q1. How many Ramsar Sites are there in India as of February 2025?
Correct Answer: C. As of February 2025, India has 89 Ramsar Sites covering over 13 lakh hectares. India ranks highest in Asia and 3rd globally.
Q2. Which state has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India?
Correct Answer: C. Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India with 18 sites. Uttar Pradesh has 10 sites.
Q3. Which state has 10 Ramsar Sites?
Correct Answer: B. Uttar Pradesh has 10 Ramsar Sites, including Upper Ganga River, Haiderpur Wetland, Sur Sarovar, and others.
Q4. Which is the largest freshwater lake in India and a Ramsar Site?
Correct Answer: C. Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India and is a Ramsar Site.
Q5. Which Ramsar Site is known for its floating circular swamps called Phumdis?
Correct Answer: B. Loktak Lake in Manipur is known for its floating circular swamps called Phumdis. It houses the only floating national park in the world — Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Q6. Which wetland is the largest mangrove forest in the world and a Ramsar Site?
Correct Answer: B. Sundarban Wetland in West Bengal is the largest Ramsar site in India and is located within the largest mangrove forest in the world.
Q7. Which Ramsar Site was formed by a meteorite impact?
Correct Answer: B. Lonar Lake in Maharashtra was formed by a meteorite impact and is a Ramsar Site. It is an endorheic basin with high salinity.
Q8. Which Ramsar Site in Bihar is a wintering habitat for 20,000+ birds?
Correct Answer: B. Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Jamui district, Bihar, are human-made wetlands that serve as wintering habitat for 20,000+ birds.
Q9. Which state has the second highest number of Ramsar Sites in India?
Correct Answer: B. Uttar Pradesh has the second highest number of Ramsar Sites in India with 10 sites, after Tamil Nadu (18 sites).
Q10. Which Ramsar Site is known for supporting >1% of the biogeographic population of Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis?
Correct Answer: B. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve in Karnataka supports >1% of the biogeographic population of Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis.