Updated List of Ramsar Sites in India (As of March 2026)

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.

The Ramsar sites are maintained in the Montreux Record to track any major ecological changes that might affect any of the wetland sites positively or in a reverse way.

The Ramsar convention entered into force in India on 1 February 1982.

India currently has 98 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites). This is the highest in South Asia.

In a significant stride toward environmental conservation, India has expanded its network to 98 Ramsar Sites as of early 2026. This reflects a monumental 276% increase in designated wetlands since 2014, solidifying India’s position as a leader in Asian wetland conservation.

For UPSC 2026 aspirants, this list is an essential part of the Environment & Ecology syllabus (GS Paper III). Below is the comprehensive, state-wise list of all 98 sites, including the most recent 2025-2026 additions.

Complete Ramsar Sites List: State, Date, and Area

Important Area-Based Facts for Prelims

• Total Protected Area: Approximately 1.38 Million Hectares.
• Largest Site: Sunderban Wetland (4,230 $km^2$). It is a global biodiversity hotspot and the largest mangrove forest in the world.
• Smallest Site: Vembannur Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu) and Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh), both approx 0.2 $km^2$.
• State with Largest Total Area: West Bengal, primarily due to the Sunderbans.

UPSC Perspective Box:

For Mains (GS III), remember that the “Area” of a Ramsar site is not just a geographical boundary. It represents the Ecological Character of the site. Any change in this area due to encroachment or pollution can trigger a site’s entry into the Montreux Record.

2022 Updates

1. In July 2022, five new sites from India were added to the List of Ramsar Sites. The new sites are:

1. Karikili Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
   1. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest – Tamil Nadu
   2. Pichavaram Mangrove – Tamil Nadu
   3. Sakhya Sagar – Madhya Pradesh
   4. Pala Wetlands – Mizoram
2. Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat and Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh were announced as Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) on the occasion of World Wetland day 2022 (2nd February 2022) held at Sultanpur National Park, a Ramsar site in Haryana.
3. Haiderpur Wetland in Uttar Pradesh has been added as the 47th Ramsar Site in December 2021. It is a human-made wetland formed in 1984 and is located within the boundaries of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.
4. 2nd February 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, the day which is also celebrated as World Wetlands Day. India on this occasion established the Centre for Wetland Conservation & Management which is the first in the country. It is set up under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), at the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) in Chennai.

Prelims & Mains Pointer

Prelims Quick Revision:

• First Ramsar Sites (1981): Chilika Lake & Keoladeo Ghana NP.
• Latest (2026): Patna Bird Sanctuary (UP) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat).
• Marine Ramsar Site: Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve.

Mains Practice Question:

“Analyze the geographical distribution of Ramsar sites in India. Does the concentration of sites in specific states like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh reflect better ecological health or more proactive administrative identification?” (250 Words, 15 Marks)

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