Ramsar Wetlands Sites in India-Complete Updated List PDF(2021)

RAMSAR Sites in India

Ramsar Convention

Ramsar Convention is the only intergovernmental treaty that gives a solid framework to the nations for the conservation and use of wetlands and their resources and helps to protect such unique ecosystems.
It is also known as the “Convention on Wetlands”. It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar on 2nd February 1971 and came into force on 21 December 1975.
So, 2nd February is celebrated as “World Wetlands Day” every year.
Currently, 169 countries are a party to this convention.
The secretariat of the Ramsar convention is located in Gland, Switzerland.

The mission of the Convention

The mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and international actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
Contracting parties vow for international cooperation to protect wetlands in the following three ways known as “three pillars for co-operation”.

Make judicial use of all their wetlands
Designate suitable wetlands for the list of “Wetlands of International Importance” (Ramsar List) and ensure effective management of the wetlands.
International cooperation on transboundary wetlands shared wetland systems etc.

Wetlands

Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world and essential for human survival.
It is a place where the land is covered by salty or freshwater. Swamps, Marshes, ponds, the edge of the lake or ocean, river mouths and deltas etc. are examples of the Wetlands.
Wetlands are home to various species of mammals, birds, fishes and invertebrates. They support the cultivation of crops like rice, and also provide ecological services benefiting the human race like water filtration, storm protection, flood control etc.

Designation and Management of Ramsar Sites

When a country agrees to join the convention, it has to designate at least one wetland site as a wetland of international importance.
The information on acceding country’s first Ramsar site is sent to UNESCO with other documents. UNESCO acts as a convention’s repository.
Management of their Ramsar sites lies primarily with the contracting parties to maintain their ecological character and retain their essential functions and values for sustainable development.
For transboundary sites management, the authorities on all sides of the border of a particular site should agree to collaborate and notify their intention to the convention secretariat at Gland.

Bodies of the Convention

Government agencies of the contracting parties i.e. nations are known as the country’s ‘Administrative authority’. They appoint a National Focal Point to coordinate the national implementation of Ramsar projects and act as the daily focal point.
Every three years, Parties meet at Conference of Parties (CoP), to administer convention.
Most recent CoP 12 was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay in 2015. CoP 13 will take place in Dubai, UAE in 2018.
Between CoPs, the parties are represented by the Standing Committee which meets annually.
“Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP)” and “Communication, Education, Participation, and Awareness (CEPA)” are two technical advisory bodies of the convention.
There are five International Organisational Partners (IOPs) to provide the necessary support to parties.
- Birdlife International
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
- Wetlands International
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Benefits of Joining Ramasar Convention:

Facilitates development at the national level of policies and actions for the wise use of wetlands.
Presents an opportunity for a country to be heard in the principal forum on conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Brings increased publicity and prestige for wetlands.
Encourages international cooperation on wetlands and brings access to expert advice on national and site-related problems of wetland, conservation and management.
Provides access to financial aid through the Convention’s Small Grant Fund.
Brings access to information and advice on the application of the Conventions’ internationally-accepted standards, such as guidelines on the application of the wise use concept and management planning in wetlands.

OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CONVENTION

To recommend sites for inclusion in the “List of Wetlands of International Importance”.
To ensure wise use of wetlands.
To establish reserves and promote training in wetland research, management and wardening.

List of RAMSAR Sites in India

Currently, there are 46 sites in India designated under the Ramsar List. These are given below:

1. Jammu and Kashmir

Hokera Wetland
Surinsar-Mansar Lakes
Wular Lake

Ladakh

Tso Kar Wetland Complex
Tsomoriri Lake

Haryana

Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
Sultanpur National Park

Himachal Pradesh

Chandertal Wetland
Pong Dam Lake
Renuka Wetland

Punjab

Beas Conservation Reserve
Harike Lake
Kanjli Lake
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve
Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
Ropar Lake

Uttarakhand

Asan Conservation Reserve

Uttar Pradesh

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
Saman Bird Sanctuary
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
Sandi Bird Sanctuary
Sarsai Nawar Jheel
Sur Sarovar
Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)

Rajasthan

Keoladeo Ghana NP
Sambhar Lake

Assam

Deepor Beel

Tripura

Rudrasagar Lake

Manipur

Loktak Lake

West Bengal

East Kolkata Wetlands
Sunderbans Wetland

Bihar

Kabartal Wetland

Orissa

Bhitarkanika Mangroves
Chilika Lake

Madhya Pradesh

Bhoj Wetlands

Maharashtra

Lonar Lake
Nandur Madhameshwar

Gujarat

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Wadhvana Wetland

Andhra Pradesh

Kolleru Lake

Tamil Nadu

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

Kerala

Asthamudi Wetland
Sasthamkotta Lake
Vembanad Kol Wetland

More about 4 New Sites added in 2021

Haryana

Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

It is the largest wetland site in the state of Haryana
It is a human-made freshwater wetland.
Its first Ramsar site of Haryana.
The site is located in the Jhajjar district, at a distance of 15 km from Jhajjar town.
In June 2009, it was also declared as a bird sanctuary by the Government of India.
Over 250 bird species can be spotted in this wetland site throughout the year. It is a resting and roosting site for these birds.
Ten globally threatened species are found here including the
- endangered Egyptian Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, and Black-bellied Tern.

Sultanpur National Park

Sultanpur National Park/Ramsar site is situated at Sultanpur village located on Gurugram-Jhajjar highway at a distance of 15 km from Gurugram.
It supports almost 220 species including, winter migratory and local migratory waterbirds at critical stages of their life cycles.
It also includes ten globally threatened species, like sociable lapwing, and the endangered Egyptian Vulture, Saker Falcon, Pallas’s Fish Eagle and Black-bellied Tern.

Gujarat

The Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

The Lake is an artificial lake at Thol village located in Kadi, Mehsana District, Gujarat.
It is located on the Central Asian Flyway and almost 320 bird species are found here.
This wetland hosts more than 30 threatened waterbird species, like the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture and Sociable Lapwing, vulnerable Sarus Crane, Common Pochard and Lesser White-fronted Goose.

Wadhvana Wetland

Location: Dabhoi taluka of Vadodara district.
Area: Irrigation Tank Area 10.38 sq. km.
Main Attractions: Over 200 species of birds, scenic beauty, rich biodiversity. The variety of Birds include both resident & Migratory
It includes some threatened or near-threatened species such as
- the endangered Pallas’s fish-Eagle, the vulnerable Common Pochard,
- near-threatened Dalmatian Pelican, Grey-headed Fish-eagle and Ferruginous Duck.

Montreux Record

Out of these 46 sites, currently, 2 sites in India are included in the Montreux Record.

Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan (1990) – first site to be included in this list
Loktak Lake, Manipur (1993)

Chilika lake, Odisha was included in the list in 1993 but was removed in 2002.
Montreux Record is a register of wetlands sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur.
The ecological character of a Ramsar site may degrade because of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.