The convention entered into force in India on 1 February 1982.
India currently has 27 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 1,056,871 hectares or 11,120 sq.km.
The Ramsar Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
Wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems. They provide essential services and supply all our fresh water. However they continue to be degraded and converted to other uses.
The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.
Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to:
- work towards the wise use of all their wetlands;
- designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management;
- cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.
Following are the Ramsar Sites in India :
More information on each site can be viewed here on the official Ramsar website.
| Sl. No. | Name of Site | State Location | Date of Declaration | Area (in Sq. km.) |
| 1 | Asthamudi Wetland | Kerala | 19.8.2002 | 614 |
| 2 | Bhitarkanika Mangroves | Orissa | 19.8.2002 | 650 |
| 3 | Bhoj Wetlands | Madhya Pradesh | 19.8.2002 | 32.01 |
| 4 | Chandertal Wetland | Himachal Pradesh | 8.11.2005 | 0.49 |
| 5 | Chilka Lake | Orissa | 1.10.1981 | 1165 |
| 6 | Deepor Beel | Assam | 19.8.2002 | 40 |
| 7 | East Calcutta Wetlands | West Bengal | 19.8.2002 | 125 |
| 8 | Harike Lake | Punjab | 23.3.1990 | 41 |
| 9 | Hokera Wetland | Jammu and Kashmir | 8.11.2005 | 13.75 |
| 10 | Kanjli Lake | Punjab | 22.1.2002 | 1.83 |
| 11 | Keoladeo Ghana NP | Rajasthan | 1.10.1981 | 28.73 |
| 12 | Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh | 19.8.2002 | 901 |
| 13 | Loktak Lake | Manipur | 23.3.1990 | 266 |
| 14 | Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary | Gujarat | 24.09.2012 | 120 |
| 15 | Point Calimere | Tamil Nadu | 19.8.2002 | 385 |
| 16 | Pong Dam Lake | Himachal Pradesh | 19.8.2002 | 156.62 |
| 17 | Renuka Wetland | Himachal Pradesh | 8.11.2005 | 0.2 |
| 18 | Ropar Lake | Punjab | 22.1.2002 | 13.65 |
| 19 | Rudrasagar Lake | Tripura | 8.11.2005 | 2.4 |
| 20 | Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | 23.3.1990 | 240 |
| 21 | Sasthamkotta Lake | Kerala | 19.8.2002 | 3.73 |
| 22 | Sunderbans Wetland | West Bengal | 30.1.2019 | 4230 |
| 23 | Surinsar-Mansar Lakes | Jammu and Kashmir | 8.11.2005 | 3.5 |
| 24 | Tsomoriri Lake | Jammu and Kashmir | 19.8.2002 | 120 |
| 25 | Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch) | Uttar Pradesh | 8.11.2005 | 265.9 |
| 26 | Vembanad Kol Wetland | Kerala | 19.8.2002 | 1512.5 |
| 27 | Wular Lake | Jammu & Kashmir | 23.3.1990 | 189 |
| Total Area (in Sq. km.) | 11121.3 |
