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Sources Followed-
Wikipedia
PMFIAS- https://www.pmfias.com/ramsar-sites-india/
https://tnswa.org/ramsar-convention
BYJUs- https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-map-ramsar-sites-india-infographics/
https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2443

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What Are Ramsar Sites
• A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar
Convention, which is also known as the ‘Convention on Wetlands’ — an
intergovernmental environmental treaty established by UNESCO in 1971, and named after
the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed that year.
• There are currently over 2,500 Ramsar sites around the world, covering over 2.5 million
square kilometers.
• India is a part to the Ramsar Convention. India signed under it on 1st February 1982.
• Sundarbans is the largest Ramsar Site in India
• Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were recognized as the
first Ramsar Sites of India
• It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran,
where the convention was signed in 1971
• The smallest Ramsar site in India, located in Renuka, Himachal Pradesh
4
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What Are Wetlands
• Wetlands are areas of land where water is present at or near the surface of the soil, either all
year or for varying periods of time
Features
Wetlands are characterized by:
•Hydrology: The water saturation (hydrology) of the soil determines the types of plants and
animals that live there.
•Vegetation: Wetlands are distinguished from other types of land by the vegetation that has
adapted to wet soil.
•Ecosystems: Wetlands function as their own distinct ecosystems
Some examples of wetlands include:
➢Mangroves
➢Marshes
➢Swamps
➢Bogs
➢Wet prairies
➢Prairie potholes
➢Vernal pools

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Ramsar Convention
• Ramsar Convention is a convention on wetlands that was signed in 1971 in the Iranian
city of Ramsar. The negotiations for the convention started in the 1960s by the different
countries and NGOs for the protection of wetlands and their resources. Finally, it came
into force in 1975
• Purpose of the Ramsar Convention?
1.Wise Use – To work towards the wise use of all wetlands
2.List of Wetlands of International Importance – Designate suitable wetlands under the
Ramsar List to effectively manage those
3.International Cooperation – To bring cooperation internationally over the
transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.
4.As of January 2024, there are 172 contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention.
5.World Wetlands Day – It was first celebrated in 1997. It is celebrated each year on 2nd
February to mark the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention and promote its mission.
6.Ramsar Convention entered into force in INDIA on 1st February 1981. India’s
initiatives to conserve the national wetlands

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Why are Ramsar sites important?
• Ramsar sites are important because they:
• Support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species of flora and fauna
• Contribute to water purification, flood control, and climate regulation
• Help reduce the risk of disasters such as floods by protecting coastlines
• Store carbon within their plant communities and soil
•

As of November 2024, there

are 85 Ramsar Sites in
India. Tamil Nadu
(18) boasts the highest
number of Ramsar Sites.

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85 Ramsar Sites In India

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Additional Information
• When a country accedes to the Convention, it must designate
at least one wetland as a Wetland of International Importance.
• The inclusion of a “Ramsar Site” in the List embodies
the government’s commitment to take the steps necessary to
ensure that its ecological character is maintained.
• There are over 2,400 Ramsar Sites covering 2.5 million sq km
on the territories of 171 Ramsar Contracting Parties across the
world.
• The world’s first Site was the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia,
designated in 1974.
• The countries with the most Ramsar Sites are the United
Kingdom with 175 and Mexico with 142.
• Bolivia has the largest area under Ramsar protection.

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Newly Added Ramsar Sites In India
• India has increased its tally of Ramsar
sites (Wetlands of International Importance)
to 85 from the existing 80 by
designating five more wetlands as Ramsar
sites.
• Ramsar Site certificates were given away to:
• Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Bihar
• Nakti Bird Sanctuary, Bihar
• Tawa Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh
• Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
• Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

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Largest Ramsar Sites in India
Ramsar Site State Area[km/Square]

Sunderbans West Bengal 4,230

Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu 1513
Vembanad-Kol Wetland kerela 1512.5
Chilka lake odisha 1165
Satkosia gorge odisha 981.97
Kolleru Lake Andra Pradesh 901

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Smallest Ramsar Sites in India
• Ramsar Site State Area[km/Square]

• Renuka Lake Himachal Pradesh 0.2

• Vembannur wetland Complex Tamil Nadu 0.2
• Vedathangal BS Tamil Nadu 0.4
• Nanda Lake Goa 0.42

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Andhra Pradesh (1)
Kolleru Lake

•It is a naturally eutrophic (nutrient-rich) lake

between the Godavari and the Krishna river
basins. It was previously a lagoon, but now it is
several kilometres inland due to the coastline of
emergence and delta formation. Two seasonal
rivers directly feed it.

•It sustains both culture and capture fisheries,

agriculture and related occupations.

•Threats: paddy cultivation, overexploitation,

flooding in monsoon season, etc.

•Endangered Avifauna: Grey Pelican or Spot-

Billed Pelican (VU)
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Assam (1)
Deepor Beel
• It is a permanent freshwater lake in a former channel of the
Brahmaputra River. It is a few kilometres to the left
of Guwahati, whereas Pobitora WLS is around 35 km to the
right.

• Threats: over-fishing, hunting, pollution from pesticides, and

infestation by water hyacinth.

• Endangered Avifauna: Grey Pelican or Spot-billed pelican

(VU), Lesser Adjutant Stork (VU), Greater Adjutant Stork
(EN), Baer’s Pochard (CR).

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Bihar (3) CR- Critically Endangered
1.Kanwar Taal or Kabar Taal Lake

•It lies in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

•Endangered Avifauna: Red-Headed Vulture (CR), White-
Rumped Vulture (CR), Indian Vulture (CR) – and two
waterbirds, the Baer’s Pochard (CR) and Sociable Lapwing
(CR).

2.Nagi Bird Sanctuary

•Nagi Bird Sanctuary was created following the damming

of the Nagi River.
•Threatened migratory species that winter at the Site
include the critically endangered Baer’s pochard and the
endangered steppe eagle.
•The Site hosts one of the largest congregations of bar-
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Nakti Bird Sanctuary

•Nakti Bird Sanctuary is a man-made wetland

which was developed primarily for irrigation
through the construction of Nakti Dam.

•Since the dam’s construction, the wetland has

provided habitat for a vulnerable native catfish
(Wallago attu).

•The Site hosts one of the largest congregations of

red-crested pochard on the Indo-Gangetic plain.

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Goa (1)
Nanda Lake

It is an intermittent freshwater marsh

adjacent to one of the tributaries of the
Zuari River.

Nanda lake is a Ramsar site located in

the Indian state of Goa. It is situated
in Curchorem. Covering an area of 0.42
square kilometres, it is the
only Ramsar wetland site in Goa.

The lake was notified as a wetland by the Indian

government on 2021 under the Wetland (Conservation and
Management) Rules, 2017.On 3 August 2022, it was declared
as a Ramsar wetland site on 2022 Ramsar Convention

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Gujarat (4) VU- Vulnerable

•It is a freshwater wetland located in

Jamnagar District near the coast of the Gulf
of Kutch. It was formed following the
Khijadia Wild life creation of a bund (dike) to protect farmland
sanctuary from saltwater ingress.
•Endangered Species: Pallas’s Fish-Eagle
(EN), Indian Skimmer (EN), Indian Bdellium-
Tree (CR)

Nalsarovar Bird sanctuary

It is the largest natural freshwater lake (a relict sea) in the

Thar Desert of Gujarat.
The wetland is a lifeline for a satellite population of the
endangered Indian Wild Ass (NT).Near Threatened
Endangered Avifauna: Sociable Lapwing (CR), Sarus Crane
(VU)
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 •It is a human-made reservoir
essential during the dry
seasons for Blackbucks (LC).
Thol Lake
•Endangered Avifauna: White-
Rumped Vulture (CR), Sociable
Lapwing (CR)

Wadhvana Wetland
This human-made reservoir is located in a
semi-arid agricultural landscape.

Endangered Avifauna: Pallas’s Fish-Eagle

(EN), Sarus Crane (VU), Common
Pochard (VU)
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Haryana (2)
•It is a human-made freshwater
Bhindawas wetland. It shares its border with
Wild life Khaparwas WLS (Haryana).
sanctuary •Endangered Avifauna: Egyptian
Vultures (EN), Pallas’s Fish-Eagle (EN)
•It is located just 15km away from Delhi.
The Sultanpur Jeel inside the park is an
Sultanpur IBA.
National •Endangered Avifauna: Sociable
Park Lapwing (CR), Egyptian Vultures
(EN), Pallas’s Fish-Eagle (EN), Saker
Falcon (EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN)

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Himachal Pradesh (3)
Chandra Taal
It is a high-altitude lake near Kunzum Pass on the upper Chandra
River valley. Chandra and Bhaga rivers merge to form
the Chenab River in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh.
Threats: overgrazing by the nomadic herdsmen.
Major Fauna: Snow Leopard (VU), Himalayan Ibex (NT), Blue Sheep
(Bharal – LC)

Pong Dam Lake

It is a reservoir on the Beas River. It is also known as Maharana
Pratap Sagar.
It lies on the Trans-Himalayan Flyway for migratory Waterfowls

Renuka Lake
It is a natural wetland with freshwater springs and inland
subterranean karst formations.
The lake is named after the mother of Hindu sage Parshuram.

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Karnataka (4)
• Aghanashini Estuary
• The Aghanashini River originates in the Western Ghats. It flows
westward towards the Arabian Sea, and a significant part of its
course flows through the forested gorges and valleys.
• The river meets the sea at Aghanashini village of Kumta taluk.
• The Aghanashini is one of the last free-flowing rivers in
Karnataka: it has no significant industrial establishments, dams or
townships on its banks.
• Aghanashini estuarine landforms accommodate diverse
ecosystem functions and human activities but also mediate flood
and erosion risks.
• The high productivity of the estuary is because the river water
carries large quantities of organic materials from the forests and
deposits the same in the estuary.
• The rich mangrove vegetation of the estuary plays a significant
role in nutrient supply for the diverse faunal community.
• It provides shelter for birds and acts as a nursery for many
species of fish and prawns.
• The rich bird community contributes to nutrient cycling through
their potash and nitrogen castings.
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Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
• This is about an hour from Hampi town and very
near to Tungabhadra Reservoir.
• It was declared a ‘Birds Conservation Reserve’ in
2017 as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• It has been home to a wide variety of birds, both
domestic and migratory.
• There are 175 species (of birds) and even 11 species
from the IUCN Red List.
• Little cormorants, Indian cormorants, great
cormorants, grey herons, purple herons, and black-
crowned night herons (rare for Ballari and its first
record of breeding) are among the variety of birds
seen nesting and breeding.

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Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
• Magadi Bird Sanctuary, created at the Magadi tank, is one of
the biodiversity hotspots of Karnataka.
• The water of the wetland is salty and unsuitable for
irrigation. Therefore, this wetland holds water even in dry
years and attracts migratory waterfowl.
• The bar-headed goose is one of the birds that migrate to
Magadi wetlands.
• The following bird species are also found:
• Grey Heron,
• Purple Heron,
• Comb Duck,
• Oriental Ibis,
• White Breasted Water Hen, and
• Greater Flamingo.

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Ranganathituu Bird Sanctuary
• It is a part of the Kaveri River in
Mandya district of Karnataka.
• Fauna: Mugger Crocodile
(VU), Smooth-Coated Otter
(VU), Hump-Backed Mahseer (CR)
• Major Avifauna: Painted Stork
(NT), Grey Pelican (VU), Black-
Headed Ibis (NT)

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Kerala (3)
•It is a natural backwater in the
Kollam district. National Waterway 3 passes
through it.
Ashtamudi •It is the second-largest estuarine
Wetland ecosystem in Kerala. It forms an estuary with
the sea at Neendakara (a famous fishing
harbour in Kerala). River Kallada and Pallichal
drain into it.

•It is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.

River Kallada had a unique replenishing
system through a bar of paddy fields. The
replenishing mechanism is now being
Sasthamkotta
destroyed.
Lake
•The water contains no common salts and
supports no water plants. A larva called
cavaborus eliminates bacteria in the water,
thus contributing to its exceptional purity.
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 •It is the largest brackish lake of
Kerala, spanning
across Alappuzha, Kottayam,
and Ernakulam districts. It is
Vembanad- the second-largest Ramsar Site in
Kol Wetland India after Sundarbans. It is also the
longest lake in India.
•It is below sea level and is famous
for paddy fields that are below sea
level.

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Madhya Pradesh (5)
•It is a human-made reservoir that
consists of two lakes located in the city of
Bhoj Wetland
Bhopal.
•Major Avifauna: Sarus crane (VU)
•It is a human-made reservoir located near
Madhav National Park.
Sakhya Sagar •Major Fauna: Mugger (VU), Smooth-
Coated Otter (VU), Hump-
Backed Mahseer (CR)
•It is a human-made wetland commonly
named Pakshi Vihar in Indore.
Sirpur wetland •Major Avifauna: Common Pochard
(VU), Egyptian Vulture (EN), Indian River
Tern (VU)
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 •Tawa Reservoir is a human-made wetland which
was created primarily for irrigation through the
construction of Tawa Dam.
•It is located within Satpura Tiger Reserve, in the
Central Indian Highlands.
Tawa •It is an important fish spawning ground, hosting
Reservoir indigenous species such as the shark catfish
and tor mahseer (Tor tor; the state fish of
Madhya Pradesh), which is revered as a “god
fish” by local communities.
•It also provides habitat to the Indian giant
squirrel, which is endemic to India.

Yashwant •It is designated as an IBA in the Indore region

Sagar (Malwa region).

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Maharashtra (3)
•It is an endorheic (closed basin) crater
lake formed by a meteorite impact.
•It is high in salinity and alkalinity due to
the lack of an outflow.
•Specialized micro-organisms such as
anaerobes, cyanobacteria and
phytoplankton survive in this harsh
Lonar Lake
chemical environment. Recently, the colour
of Lonar lake water had turned pink due to
a large presence of the salt-loving
haloarchaea microbes.
•Haloarchaea or halophilic archaea is a
bacteria culture that produces pink pigment
and is found in water saturated with salt.
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 •Construction of the Nandur Madhameshwar
Weir at the confluence of the Godavari and
Kadwa Rivers helped create this thriving
Nandur wetland.
Madhameshwar •The site hosts leopards and Indian
Sandalwood (VU).
•Species: Deolali Minnow Fish (CR), Indian
Vulture (CR), White-Rumped Vulture (CR)
•It is one of the largest creeks of Asia. It is
fringed by mangroves on both banks.
•It falls under the Marine Ecoregions of the
World (MEOW) but is fed by numerous
Thane freshwater sources, making the water
Creek(Flamingo brackish. Ulhas River is the largest source of
Sanctuary and freshwater.
IBA) •The MEOW biogeographic classification
system divides the coastal, nearshore, and
shelf areas of the world into ecoregions. Each
ecoregion is ecologically distinct from the
others.
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Manipur (1)
•It is the largest freshwater lake
in the north-eastern region.
•Keibul Lamjao, the only floating
national park in the world, floats
over it.
•Thick, floating mats of weeds
Loktak covered with soil (phumids) are a
Lake characteristic feature.
•It is included on the Montreux
Record in 1993 as a result of
ecological problems such as
deforestation in the catchment
area, infestation of water
hyacinth, and pollution.

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Mizoram (1)
The only Ramsar site in Mizoram is the Pala Wetland, also known as Palak Lake:
Pala Wetland
Location About 360 km from
Aizawl and 97 km
from Saiha
Features A deep lake, forest
catchment area, and
low-lying marshy
areas
Wildlife Sambar deer, barking
deer, Hoolock gibbon,
Phayre's leaf monkey,
and more
Importance A major source of
freshwater, fish, and
irrigation water for the
surrounding villages

Threats Roads and railroads,

hunting, illegal
logging, and wood
harvesting
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Odisha (6)
•It is a freshwater oxbow lake formed by
the Mahanadi River.
•It is the largest freshwater lake in
Odisha.
Ansupa Lake •Endangered species: Indian Skimmer
(EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN), Wagur
(EN), Indian River Tern (VU), Helicopter
Catfish (Wallago attu – VU)

•It is part of the Bhitarkanika WLS. The

core area was declared Bhitarkanika NP.
•Gahirmatha Marine WLS (Gahirmatha
beach) is adjacent to the Bhitarkanika
Bhitarkanika Mangroves Wild life sanctuary.
•It is famous
for Olive Ridley Turtle (VU) and Saltwat
er Crocodile (LC)
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 Chilika Lake
In October 1981, Chilika Lake became India's first Ramsar Site, designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This
international treaty aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands.
•Location
Chilika Lake is located in the Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam districts of Odisha state. It's the largest sub-elliptical saltwater lake
in India and Asia.
•Features
Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon that's separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow strip of sand and swampy
islands. It's home to a rich variety of wildlife, including:
•Flamingos
•Grey herons
•Purple herons
•Spoonbills
•Storks
•Goliath herons
•Irrawaddy dolphins
•Pallas's fish-eagles
•Fishing cats
•Importance
Chilika Lake is a hotspot of biodiversity and socio-economic importance. It's also a vital source of livelihood for over 0.2
million fisherfolk.
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Hirakud Reservior
• Hirakud Reservoir is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in India,
built across the Mahanadi River by a combination of earth and modern
dams of a total length of almost 26 kilometres.
• The reservoir helps regulate the water level of the river and moderates
the impact of floods in the Mahanadi Delta.
• It provides habitat for over 130 bird species and about 54 fish, with
one classified as endangered and six others as near-threatened. 21 fish
species are economically important to the region as they provide a total
yield of 480 tonnes per year, supporting the livelihoods of over 7,000
fishermen.
• The reservoir also produces around 350 megawatts of hydropower and
irrigates 436,000 hectares of land.
• The rich biodiversity and other recreational activities in and around the
reservoir make it a popular tourist destination, with over 30,000 tourists
visiting annually.

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Satkosia Gorge
•Location
•Satkosia Gorge is in the Angul district of Odisha, India. It's located in
the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, a United Nations Protected Area.
•Designation
•Satkosia Gorge was designated as a Ramsar site on October 12,
2021. It's the third Ramsar site in Odisha, following Chilika Lake and
Bhitarkanika Mangroves.
•Features
•The gorge is 22.4 kilometers long and is carved by the Mahanadi
River. It's narrow but very deep, with strong undercurrents. The area
is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
•Importance
•The Ramsar list aims to maintain and develop a network of wetlands
that are important for the conservation of global biological diversity.

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Tampara Lake
•Designation
•Tampara Lake was designated as a Ramsar site on October 12, 2021. Its site number is 2489.
•Importance
•Tampara Lake is a freshwater wetland that supports a variety of wildlife, including 60 species of
birds and 46 species of fish. It also plays a vital role in flood control, and provides water for
agriculture, domestic use, and transportation

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Punjab (6)

The six Ramsar sites in Punjab are:

1. Beas Conservation Reserve
2. Harike Wetland
3. Kanjli Wetland
4. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve
5. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Ropar Wetland

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Beas Conservation Reserve
• It is a 185 km stretch of the Beas
River meandering down from the
Himalayan foothills. The stretch is dotted
with islands, sand bars and braided
channels.
• It hosts the only known population in India
of the Indus River dolphin (EN). A
programme was initiated to re-introduce
the Gharial (CR).
• Endangered: Masheer/Himalayan
Mahseer/Golden Mahseer (EN), Hog Deer
(EN), Smooth-Coated Otter (VU)

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• Harike Wetland
• It is a shallow water reservoir at the confluence of the
Beas and Sutlej rivers.
• Kanjli Wetland
• It is associated with the first Sikh guru, Shri Guru
Nanak.
• Keshopur-Miani CmR
• The Reserve is a mosaic of natural
marshes, aquaculture ponds and agricultural wetlands.
• Endangered Species: Common Pochard (VU), Spotted
Pond Turtle (EN)

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• Nangal Wild life sanctuary
• It occupies a human-made reservoir of Bhakra-
Nangal Project in the Shiwalik foothills.
• The site is of historical importance as the Indian
and Chinese Prime Ministers formalized the
“Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” there
in 1954.
• Endangered Species: Indian Pangolin
(EN), Leopard (VU), Egyptian Vulture (EN)

• Ropar Wetland
• It is formed by the construction of a barrage for
diversion of water from the Sutlej River.
• Major Fauna: Smooth Indian Otter, Hog
Deer, Sambar, Indian Pangolin
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Rajasthan (2)
•It is a complex of ten artificial
seasonal marshes. Vegetation is
scrub and open grassland.
•The invasive growth of the
grass Paspalum distichum has
Keoladeo
National Park reduced its suitability for certain
waterbird species, notably
the Siberian Crane (CR).
•Placed on the Montreux Record in
1990 due to water shortage and an
unbalanced grazing.
•It is India’s largest inland saltwater
Sambhar Lake lake. It is a key wintering area
for Flamingos (LC).
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Tamil Nadu (18)

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Tripura (1)
• Tripura has one Ramsar site, Rudrasagar Lake:
• Rudrasagar Lake: A 240-hectare wetland in the northeast hills
of Tripura, India. It was designated a Ramsar site on November
8, 2005.
• Rudrasagar Lake is home to many commercially important
freshwater fish and the IUCN Redlisted Three-striped Roof
Turtle Kachuga dhongka. The lake is also important for the
local people, who use it for fishing, tourism, and collecting
aquatic vegetation.
• The lake's status as a Ramsar site has brought many benefits,
including: International recognition, Access to expert advice,
Opportunities to learn best practices for wetland use, Access
to international guidelines for wetland conservation, and
Contributions to global environment protection and biodiversity
maintenance

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UT of Jammu & Kashmir (5)
The Ramsar sites in Jammu and Kashmir are:

•Shallabugh Wetland: Located in the Ganderbal district, this 16

square kilometer wetland is home to many bird species,
including the Eastern imperial eagle, Yellow-eyed pigeon, and
Wood snipe.
•Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve: Added to the list in
2022.
•Hokersar Wetland: A Ramsar site in the Kashmir Valley.
•Wular Lake: A Ramsar site in the Kashmir Valley.
•Mansar-Surinsar Wildlife Sanctuary: A Ramsar site in Jammu.

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 Shallabugh Wetland
• The wetland is 18 km from Srinagar, the UT summer capital and located in
district Srinagar and District Ganderbal of Jammu & Kashmir on the flood
plains of river Jhelum.

• Shallabugh Wetland Conservation Reserve is located to Anchar Lake,

which is located at the west end of the Sindh river delta and plays an
essential role in the local aquatic ecosystems by relying on diverse water
sources., it forms a significant habitat for diverse bird species.Together
with the nearby Ramsar Site Hokersar Wetland, these areas create an
important ecological landscape.

• The wetland serves as a crucial resource for the local community. It

support fisheries, provides clean water, manages flooding, and is a carbon
sink. However, it faces a pressing threat in the form of excessive siltation,
endangering its unique ecological characteristics.

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Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve
• The Hygam wetland lies downstream of another Ramsar Site with which it is connected,
and forms an important site for biodiversity conservation.
• It lies on the Central Asian Flyway and over 40,000 migratory and resident bird species
have been recorded annually.
• The wetland also supports mammals, amphibians, and fish including Eurasian otter
(Lutra lutra), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and common pochard (Aythya ferina).
• The wetland is located within the Jhelum river basin and plays a significant role in flood
control, aquifer recharge, and regulating water flow of the Wular Lake.
• This wetland provides local communities with a range of “ecosystem services”, providing
fish, wood and clean water, and regulating the local climate. However, it is increasingly
threatened by continuous siltation, willow plantations and nutrient accumulation. To
tackle these issues, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has been implementing an
integrated management action plan since 2002.

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Hokersar Wetland
• It is known as the ‘Queen Wetland of Kashmir’, Hokersar (also
known as Hokera) is a designated Ramsar site is located
in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is a natural perennial wetland contiguous to the Jhelum basin.
• It gets water from the Doodhganga River (Tributary of Jhelum).
• It is located at the northwest Himalayan biogeopgraphic province
of Kashmir, back of the snow-draped Pir Panchal.
• Fauna: It is the only site with remaining reedbeds of
Kashmir and pathway of 68 waterfowl species like Large Egret,
Great Crested Grebe, Little Cormorant, Common Shelduck,
Tufted Duck and endangered White-eyed Pochard,
• It is an important source of food, spawning ground and nursery for
fishes, besides offering feeding and breeding ground to a variety of
water birds.

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Wular Lake
•Designation
Wular Lake was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990, making it one of six Indian wetlands to receive this designation.
•Location
Wular Lake is located in the Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Its coordinates are 34°16'N - 74°33'E.
•Size
Wular Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia and India's largest freshwater wetland. Its size varies by season,
ranging from 12 to 100 square miles (30 to 260 square kilometers).
•Importance
Wular Lake is important for:
•Birds: A breeding, staging, and wintering ground for many species, including migratory waterfowl like the Little
Egzet, Cattle Egzet, Shoveler, Common Pochard, and Mallard
•Fish: An important habitat for fish, including common carp, rosy barb, mosquitofish, and various snowtrout species
•Irrigation and domestic use: A source of water for irrigation and domestic use
•Livestock: The marshes around the lake provide fodder for livestock
•Revenue: The marshes around the lake provide revenue for the state government

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Mansar-Surinsar Wildlife Sanctuary:
• Location
The sanctuary is located in the semi-arid Panjab Plains of Jammu and Kashmir.
•Size
The sanctuary covers 3.5 square kilometers.
•Established
The sanctuary was established in 2005 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
•Ramsar site
The lakes and wetlands were designated as a Ramsar site in 2005 for their international importance.
•Fauna
The sanctuary is home to many species of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish.
•Significance
The sanctuary is a Hindu sacred site with many temples. It is also a popular picnic spot.
•Threats
The sanctuary faces threats from increasing visitors, agricultural runoff, and bathing and cremation rituals.
The sanctuary is home to many species of animals, including:
•Mammals
Common leopards, barking deer, nilgai, goral, wild boar, jackal, hare, jungle cat, porcupine, and mongoose
•Birds
Cormorant, house crow, jungle crow, cuckoo, Indian ring dove, red turtle dove, spotted dove, black drongo, cattle egret, fly
catcher, jungle fowl, and more
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UT of Ladakh (2)
• Tso Kar
The Tso Kar or Tsho kar is a fluctuating salt lake known for its size and depth situated in the Rupshu
Plateau and valley in the southern part of Ladakh in India. It is also recognised as India's 42nd
Ramsar site.
• Location: Tso Kar is a salt lake in the Rupshu Plateau and valley in the southern part of Ladakh.

• Significance: Tso Kar is India's 42nd Ramsar site.

• Features: Tso Kar is known for its size and depth

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Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri is located in the Changthang region of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It's about 215 km southeast
of Leh town.
•Features
Tso Moriri is the largest high-altitude lake in India that's entirely within the country. It's also one of the world's highest
lakes, sitting at an altitude of over 4,500 meters above sea level.
•Significance
Tso Moriri is a Ramsar site because of its ecological diversity, including:
•A unique and varied collection of animals, including endemic and vulnerable species
•A large number of water birds that use the lake as a breeding ground and staging post on their migration routes
•A rich variety of aquatic animals and plant species
•History
Tso Moriri has a rich history and cultural significance. It was a vital water source for nomadic tribes and their
livestock, and caravans traveling along the Silk Road would stop at the lake to rest and refill their water supplies.
•Activities
Visitors can enjoy activities like overnight camping around the lake. The nearby village of Korzok is also worth a visit,
and there are many monasteries to see on the way back to Leh.

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Uttar Pradesh (10)
•This freshwater marsh is situated near
Gorakhpur.
Bakhira
•Endangered Avifauna: Egyptian Vultures
Wild life
(EN), Greater Spotted Eagle
sanctuary
(VU), Common Pochard (VU), Swamp
Francolin (VU)

•It is a wetland in Hastinapur WLS formed

by the construction of the Madhya Ganga
Haiderpur Barrage.
Wetland •Endangered Fauna: Gharial (CR), Golden
Mahseer (EN), Hog Deer (EN), Swamp
Deer (VU).

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 •It is a shallow marshland near
Lucknow. It was renamed Chandra
Nawabganj
Shekhar Azad BS.
Bird
•Endangered Avifauna: Egyptian
Sanctuary
Vulture (EN), Pallas’s Fish Eagle
(EN), Lesser Adjutant (VU)
•It is a permanent freshwater
environment consisting of two oxbow
Parvati lakes.
Arga Bird •Avifauna: Red-Headed Vulture
Sanctuary (CR), White-Rumped Vulture
(CR), Indian Vulture (CR)

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 •It is a seasonal oxbow lake on the
Saman
Ganges floodplain.
Bird
•Endangered Avifauna: Sarus Crane
sanctuary
(VU), Greater Spotted Eagle (VU)

•It is a perennial lowland marsh

Samaspur typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
Bird •Endangered Avifauna: Egyptian
sanctuary Vulture (EN), Pallas’s Fish Eagle
(EN).

Sandi Bird •Endangered Avifauna: Sarus Crane

sanctuary (VU)

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 •It is a marsh. Its name is derived from the
large non-migratory Sarus Crane (VU).
Sarsai Nawar •The nearby Hajari Mahadev temple is
Jheel visited by thousands of pilgrims each year.
•Endangered Avifauna: White-Rumped
Vulture (CR)

•It was created to supply water to the city of

Agra.
•Endangered Avifauna: Greater Spotted Eagle
Sur (VU), Catfish (Wallago attu – VU)
Sarovar(Keet
ham Lake)
•Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird
Sanctuary

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Uttarakhand (1)
• Uttarakhand has one Ramsar site, the Asan Conservation Reserve:
• Asan Conservation Reserve: Located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, this 4.44 square
kilometer reserve is India's first Ramsar site. It's home to many rare and endangered species,
including the white-rumped vulture, Egyptian vulture, and steppe eagle. The reserve is also a major
wintering ground for migratory birds, including the ruddy shelduck, common coot, gadwall, and
kingfisher.

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West Bengal (2)
• West Bengal has two Ramsar sites:
• East Kolkata Wetlands: A world-renowned model of a multiple-use wetland that treats the city’s
wastewater and uses it for agriculture, pisciculture, and nutrient recovery. It's also home to a
variety of birds, mammals, and other plants and animals.
• Sunderbans Wetland: A Ramsar site declared in 2019

• The Sundarbans is a transboundary wetland that protects the mainland from cyclones, tidal surges,
and salt water intrusion. It's home to many rare and endangered species, including the Royal
Bengal tiger, Irrawaddy dolphin, fishing cat, and migratory birds

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 Thank You

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