Ramsar Sites in India, Complete State-wise List of 91 Sites
Parul Rishi1 Sept, 2025
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Ramsar Sites in India: In India, there are 91 special places called Ramsar sites that are really important because they're wetlands. These places are recognized internationally for their importance in nature. But sadly, wetlands in India are in trouble. They're facing problems like losing plants, too much salt in the water, getting flooded too often, pollution in the water, invasive plants and animals taking over, too many buildings and roads being built near them.
Overall, the Ramsar sites cover a big area of about 1,083,322 hectares. Among all the states in India, Tamil Nadu has the most Ramsar sites, with 16 of them.Ramsar Sites in India
Recently, the government of India said that they've added five more special places called Ramsar sites to the list, making the total 80. These sites are really important because they're wetlands, and they're recognized internationally. Three new sites are in Karnataka, called Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve and other two new sites are in Tamil Nadu, named Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest. In India, Tamil Nadu now has the most Ramsar sites with 16, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.Total Ramsar Sites in India
As of 2025, India has 91 special wetland sites known as Ramsar Sites. These sites are recognized internationally under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, has India as one of its Contracting Parties. India signed the convention on February 1, 1982.Ramsar Sites in India List
India has many important wetlands called Ramsar Sites, recognized internationally for their ecological significance. These wetlands support biodiversity, help maintain water quality, and provide livelihoods to local communities. India has a total of 91 Ramsar Sites spread across different states, with Tamil Nadu having the highest number of sites. New additions like Khichan and Menar in Rajasthan have strengthened India's position as a global leader in wetland conservation.
Here is the state-wise list of Ramsar Sites in India with their year of designation:
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Ramsar Sites in India List |
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|
S. No |
Ramsar Site |
State/UT |
Year |
|
1 |
Kolleru Lake |
Andhra Pradesh |
2002 |
|
2 |
Deepor Beel |
Assam |
2002 |
|
3 |
Kanwar (Kabar) Taal |
Bihar |
2020 |
|
4 |
Nagi Bird Sanctuary |
Bihar |
2023 |
|
5 |
Nakti Bird Sanctuary |
Bihar |
2023 |
|
6 |
Nanda Lake |
Goa |
2022 |
|
7 |
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary |
Gujarat |
2021 |
|
8 |
Nalsarovar |
Gujarat |
2012 |
|
9 |
Thol Lake |
Gujarat |
2021 |
|
10 |
Wadhvana Wetland |
Gujarat |
2021 |
|
11 |
Sultanpur National Park |
Haryana |
2021 |
|
12 |
Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary |
Haryana |
2021 |
|
13 |
Chandra Taal |
Himachal Pradesh |
2005 |
|
14 |
Pong Dam Lake |
Himachal Pradesh |
2002 |
|
15 |
Renuka Lake |
Himachal Pradesh |
2005 |
|
16 |
Hokersar Wetland |
Jammu & Kashmir |
2005 |
|
17 |
Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve |
Jammu & Kashmir |
2022 |
|
18 |
Shallabugh Wetland |
Jammu & Kashmir |
2022 |
|
19 |
Mansar-Surinsar Wildlife Sanctuary |
Jammu & Kashmir |
2005 |
|
20 |
Wular Lake |
Jammu & Kashmir |
1990 |
|
21 |
Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary |
Jharkhand |
2025 |
|
22 |
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary |
Karnataka |
2022 |
|
23 |
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve |
Karnataka |
2023 |
|
24 |
Aghanashini Estuary |
Karnataka |
2023 |
|
25 |
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve |
Karnataka |
2023 |
|
26 |
Ashtamudi Wetland |
Kerala |
2002 |
|
27 |
Sasthamkotta Lake |
Kerala |
2002 |
|
28 |
Vembanad-Kol Wetland |
Kerala |
2002 |
|
29 |
Tso Kar |
Ladakh |
2020 |
|
30 |
Tsomoriri Lake |
Ladakh |
2002 |
|
31 |
Bhoj Wetland |
Madhya Pradesh |
2002 |
|
32 |
Sakhya Sagar |
Madhya Pradesh |
2022 |
|
33 |
Sirpur Lake |
Madhya Pradesh |
2022 |
|
34 |
Yashwant Sagar |
Madhya Pradesh |
2022 |
|
35 |
Tawa Reservoir |
Madhya Pradesh |
2024 |
|
36 |
Lonar Lake |
Maharashtra |
2020 |
|
37 |
Nandur Madhameshwar |
Maharashtra |
2019 |
|
38 |
Thane Creek |
Maharashtra |
2022 |
|
39 |
Loktak Lake |
Manipur |
1990 |
|
40 |
Pala Wetland |
Mizoram |
2021 |
|
41 |
Ansupa Lake |
Odisha |
2021 |
|
42 |
Bhitarkanika Mangroves |
Odisha |
2002 |
|
43 |
Chilika Lake |
Odisha |
1981 |
|
44 |
Hirakud Reservoir |
Odisha |
2021 |
|
45 |
Satkosia Gorge |
Odisha |
2021 |
|
46 |
Tampara Lake |
Odisha |
2021 |
|
47 |
Beas Conservation Reserve |
Punjab |
2019 |
|
48 |
Harike Wetland |
Punjab |
1990 |
|
49 |
Kanjli Wetland |
Punjab |
2002 |
|
50 |
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve |
Punjab |
2019 |
|
51 |
Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary |
Punjab |
2019 |
|
52 |
Ropar Wetland |
Punjab |
2002 |
|
53 |
Keoladeo National Park |
Rajasthan |
1981 |
|
54 |
Sambhar Lake |
Rajasthan |
1990 |
|
55 |
Khichan |
Rajasthan |
2025 |
|
56 |
Menar |
Rajasthan |
2025 |
|
57 |
Khachoedpalri Wetland |
Sikkim |
2025 |
|
58 |
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2021 |
|
59 |
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
60 |
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
61 |
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2023 |
|
62 |
Karikili Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
63 |
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2021 |
|
64 |
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest |
Tamil Nadu |
2023 |
|
65 |
Pallikarnai Marsh Reserve Forest |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
66 |
Pichavaram Mangrove |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
67 |
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2002 |
|
68 |
Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
69 |
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
70 |
Vadavur Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
71 |
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
72 |
Vellode Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
73 |
Vembannur Wetland Complex |
Tamil Nadu |
2022 |
|
74 |
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2024 |
|
75 |
Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2024 |
|
76 |
Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2025 |
|
77 |
Therthangal Bird Sanctuary |
Tamil Nadu |
2025 |
|
78 |
Rudrasagar Lake |
Tripura |
2005 |
|
79 |
Bakhira Sanctuary |
Uttar Pradesh |
2021 |
|
80 |
Haiderpur Wetland |
Uttar Pradesh |
2021 |
|
81 |
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary |
Uttar Pradesh |
2019 |
|
82 |
Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary |
Uttar Pradesh |
2019 |
|
83 |
Saman Bird Sanctuary |
Uttar Pradesh |
2019 |
|
84 |
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary |
Uttar Pradesh |
2019 |
|
85 |
Sandi Bird Sanctuary |
Uttar Pradesh |
2019 |
|
86 |
Sarsai Nawar Jheel |
Uttar Pradesh |
2019 |
|
87 |
Sur Sarovar |
Uttar Pradesh |
2020 |
|
88 |
Upper Ganga River |
Uttar Pradesh |
2005 |
|
89 |
Asan Barrage |
Uttarakhand |
2020 |
|
90 |
East Kolkata Wetlands |
West Bengal |
2002 |
|
91 |
Sundarban Wetland |
West Bengal |
2019 |
Largest Ramsar Sites in India
India has special wetlands called Ramsar Sites, which are important for protecting nature, cleaning water, and supporting local jobs. Recently, new Ramsar Sites were added in different states, increasing India's total recognized wetlands under this international agreement. Some of the largest Ramsar Sites include Tampara Lake, Hirakud Reservoir, Ansupa Lake, and Yashwant Sagar in Odisha; Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh; several bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu; Thane Creek in Maharashtra; and wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir like Hygam and Shallbugh.
New Ramsar Sites in India
Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that India now has 80 Ramsar sites, up from 75. They added five more wetlands as Ramsar sites on World Wetlands Day 2025.- Three new sites are in Karnataka: Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve.
- Two new sites are in Tamil Nadu: Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest.
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (Karnataka):
- It's a man-made tank near Ankasamudra village.
- Covers about 244.04 acres.
Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka):
- Forms where Aghanashini River meets the Arabian Sea.
- Covers around 4801 hectares.
- Important for fishing, farming, and biodiversity.
- Mangroves protect the shore from storms.
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (Karnataka):
- Man-made wetland for irrigation.
- Spans nearly 50 hectares.
- Home to vulnerable and near-threatened bird species.
- Important wintering ground for Bar-headed geese.
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):
- Provides water for farming crops like paddy, sugarcane, and cotton.
- Home to around 198 bird species, including Bar-headed geese, ducks, and teals.
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (Tamil Nadu):
- Tropical rainforest habitat in Tamil Nadu.
- Found in Nilgiris, Anamalais, and other hills.
- Home to endangered and vulnerable bird species like Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and Nilgiri Blue Robin.
| Other Related Links | |
| Tiger Reserves in India | National Parks in India |
| Biosphere Reserves in India | Elephant Reserves in India |
Ramsar Sites in India 2025 FAQs
How many Ramsar Sites In India are there?
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