I. 🇮🇳 Recent Additions: India’s Total Reaches 96
The designation of two new sites in December 2025 increased India’s total number of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites) to 96.
| Site Name | State | Key Significance |
| Kopra Reservoir (Kopra Jalashay) | Chhattisgarh | Designated as the First Ramsar Site in the state. A freshwater reservoir crucial for drinking water and irrigation. Habitat for endangered species, including the Egyptian Vulture. |
| Siliserh Lake | Rajasthan | An artificial lake near Alwar, constructed in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh. Located in the Aravalli landscape and known for its rich migratory bird populations. |
Total Sites in Rajasthan: 6 (including Keoladeo Ghana NP, Sambhar Lake, Khichan, Menar, and Siliserh Lake).
II. 🌍 The Ramsar Convention (History & Context)
- Official Name: The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
- Signing Date: February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran.
- Mission: Conservation and wise use of all wetlands through international cooperation.
- India’s Ratification: 1982.
- Montreux Record: A register of Ramsar Sites where the ecological character is under threat. (Currently includes Keoladeo Ghana National Park and Loktak Lake).
Oldest Ramsar Sites in India (Designated 1981)
The following two sites were the first to be designated in India in 1981:
- Chilika Lake (Odisha): A large, brackish water lagoon.
- Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan): Famous bird sanctuary, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
III. 🇮🇳 Key Facts & Extremes: Ramsar Sites in India
India has significantly expanded its list of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites).1 As of late 2025, the total stands at 96 sites.2
| Category | Site Name & Location | Key Fact |
| Recognised as a Ramsar site, it is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. | Sundarban Wetland (West Bengal) | Covers the largest area at 4,230 sq km. It is the largest mangrove forest in the world and a critical tiger habitat. |
| Smallest Site | Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh) | The smallest site, covering only 0.2 sq km. It is a natural wetland with an area of 20 hectares. (Some sources also list Vembannur Wetland Complex in Tamil Nadu as 0.2 sq km). |
| First Sites (Oldest) | Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan) | Both designated in 1981. |
| State with Highest Number | Tamil Nadu | Leads with the highest number of sites, currently 20. |
| Highest Altitude | Tsomoriri Lake (Ladakh) | Located at an altitude of over 4,500 meters (14,800 ft). |
| Sites on Montreux Record | Loktak Lake (Manipur) and Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan) | These are wetlands where changes in ecological character have occurred or are likely to occur. |
| Site Removed from Montreux Record | Chilika Lake (Odisha) | Removed in 2002 after successful restoration efforts, a notable conservation success story. |
| Longest Wetland | Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Kerala) | This is the longest lake in India and the largest brackish humid tropical wetland ecosystem on the southwest coast. |
| Largest Inland Salt Lake | Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan) | An endorheic lake, a crucial habitat for migratory birds like Flamingos. |
| Largest Freshwater Lake | Wular Lake (Jammu and Kashmir) | Recognized as a Ramsar site, it is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. |
Related Dates
- February 2: World Wetlands Day (WWD). Marks the anniversary of the Convention’s signing.
- July 26: International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem (UNESCO-adopted).