Wetlands, Mangroves & Ramsar Sites of India
Overview
India is endowed with one of the world's richest wetland ecosystems — from the high-altitude Himalayan lakes and Himalayan rivers to the vast coastal mangroves of the Sundarbans. Wetlands are among the world's most productive ecosystems, providing freshwater, food, flood control, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity habitat.
India ranks 10th globally in total wetland area. As of January 2026, India has 98 Ramsar sites — the largest number in Asia — covering approximately 1.33 million hectares. Wetlands and mangroves are one of the most tested topics in UPSC Prelims (GS1 ecology, GS3 environment) and are a consistent source of Mains questions.
Key Fact: India has 98 Ramsar sites (as of January 2026). Tamil Nadu leads with 20 Ramsar sites — more than any other state. India's mangrove cover is 4,992 km² (ISFR 2023), representing 0.15% of India's geographic area.
The Ramsar Convention — Basics
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat |
| Year | 1971 (signed at Ramsar, Iran on 2 February 1971) |
| Entered into force | 21 December 1975 |
| World Wetlands Day | 2 February — anniversary of the Convention signing |
| India's accession | 1982 |
| India's first Ramsar site | Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo Ghana NP (Rajasthan) — both designated 1981 |
| Total Ramsar sites globally | ~2,500+ (across 172 countries) as of 2025 |
| India's total (Jan 2026) | 98 sites — largest in Asia |
What Makes a "Wetland of International Importance"?
A site qualifies under Ramsar Criteria (9 criteria in three groups):
- Criterion 1: Rare, representative, or unique wetland type
- Criteria 2–4: Biodiversity — threatened species, biodiversity support
- Criteria 5–9: Waterbirds — supporting significant numbers
India's Wetland Classification
Natural vs Man-Made
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Natural — Coastal | Mangrove swamps, salt marshes, tidal flats, coastal lagoons (Chilika, Pulicat) |
| Natural — Inland | Lakes, rivers, floodplains, marshes, swamps, springs (Wular, Loktak, Sambhar) |
| Natural — High Altitude | Himalayan lakes, glacial lakes (Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Chandratal) |
| Man-Made | Reservoirs, tanks, rice paddies, salt pans, ponds (Bhoj Wetland, Kanwar Lake) |
India's Wetland Area (ISFR 2023 / NWA)
- Total wetland area: ~15.26 million hectares (~4.6% of India's geographic area)
- Includes reservoirs, tanks, lakes, rivers, floodplains, coastal wetlands
- Lakes and tanks: ~6.7 million ha
- Mangroves: 4,992 km² (0.15% of India's area)
India's Ramsar Sites — State-wise Distribution (Jan 2026)
| State | Number of Ramsar Sites | Key Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 20 (most in India) | Vedanthangal, Pallikaranai, Point Calimere, Kazhuveli |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Nawabganj, Saman, Sur Sarovar, Sarsai Nawar, Bakhira |
| Gujarat | 4 | Thol, Wadhwana, Khijadiya, Nalsarovar |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Chandratal, Pong Dam, Renuka |
| Assam | 2 | Deepor Beel, Siseri Pahar (Diploi) |
| Jammu & Kashmir + Ladakh | 4 | Wular, Hokera, Surinsar-Mansar, Tso Moriri |
| Rajasthan | 4 | Sambhar, Keoladeo, Khichan (2025), Menar (2025) |
| Andhra Pradesh | 3 | Kolleru, Telineelapuram, Vembanad (shared) |
| Odisha | 2 | Chilika, Bhitarkanika |
| Manipur | 1 | Loktak Lake |
| Punjab | 3 | Harike, Kanjli, Ropar |
| Maharashtra | 3 | Nandur Madhmeshwar, Lonar, Tansa |
| Kerala | 4 | Ashtamudi, Sasthamkotta, Vembanad-Kol, Shendurney |
| West Bengal | 2 | Sundarbans, East Kolkata Wetlands |
| Others | Multiple | Bhoj (MP), Kanwar/Kabar (Bihar), Gharana (J&K) |
UPSC Note: Numbers may change with new designations. Memorise the leaders: Tamil Nadu (20), UP (10). The total as of January 2026 is 98.
Key Ramsar Sites — In Detail
1. Chilika Lake — Odisha
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Brackish coastal lagoon |
| Location | Odisha (Puri, Khurda, Ganjam districts) |
| Area | ~1,100 km² (largest coastal lagoon in Asia; second largest in world) |
| Ramsar designation | 1981 (among India's first two) |
| Status | Montreux Record 1993 → removed 2002 after restoration |
- Montreux Record: List of Ramsar sites undergoing adverse ecological change; Chilika was delisted after successful restoration by Chilika Development Authority (CDA)
- Home to Irrawaddy dolphins (one of the rare habitats globally), flamingoes (migratory), and the endemic Chilika Irrawaddy dolphin sub-population
- Important stopover for millions of migratory waterfowl from Central Asia, Siberia, Mongolia along the Central Asian Flyway
- Nalabana Island: Ramsar wetland within Chilika; designated Bird Sanctuary
- Kalijai Temple: Island within Chilika — major pilgrimage site
- Supports livelihood of ~2 lakh fisherfolk communities
2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park — Rajasthan
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Man-made wetland (originally created by Maharaja of Bharatpur for duck shooting) |
| Location | Bharatpur, Rajasthan |
| Area | ~28.73 km² |
| Ramsar | 1981 (among India's first two) |
| UNESCO WHS | 1985 |
- Former home of the Siberian Crane (now functionally extinct as a visitor here — last seen 2002)
- Important breeding ground for painted storks, herons, cormorants; wintering ground for ducks and waders
- Critically threatened by reduced inflow from Ajan Bund (upstream diversions)
3. Sambhar Salt Lake — Rajasthan
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Largest inland saltwater lake in India |
| Location | Nagaur, Ajmer, Jaipur districts, Rajasthan |
| Area | ~190–230 km² (varies with rainfall) |
| Ramsar | 1990 |
- Salt has been extracted here since 7th century; India's main source of inland salt (~8.7% of India's salt production)
- Important staging site for flamingoes (tens of thousands winter here)
- 2019 mass bird mortality event: ~18,000 migratory birds (mostly flamingoes and northern pintails) died, likely due to avian botulism linked to excess rainfall
- Historical significance: Surrounded by ruins of Shakambhari — ancient Chahamana kingdom capital
4. Wular Lake — Jammu & Kashmir
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Largest natural freshwater lake in India |
| Location | Bandipora district, J&K |
| Area | ~189 km² (varies from 24 km² to 260 km² seasonally) |
| Ramsar | 1990 |
- Formed by the tectonic activity in the Kashmir Valley; fed by the Jhelum River
- Tulbul Navigation Project (proposed by India on Jhelum outlet of Wular): Opposed by Pakistan as violation of Indus Waters Treaty
- Supports important fisheries (200+ species) and waterfowl habitat
5. Harike Wetland — Punjab
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Man-made wetland (reservoir at confluence of Beas and Sutlej) |
| Location | Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Kapurthala districts, Punjab |
| Area | ~86 km² |
| Ramsar | 1990 |
- Created by Harike Barrage (1952) at the confluence of Beas and Sutlej
- Largest wetland in northern India (excluding Himalayan high altitude)
- Important for Siberian waterfowl; IUCN threatened species present
6. Loktak Lake — Manipur
(Covered in detail in Ch29 — Northeast India Geography)
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India |
| Location | Bishnupur, Manipur |
| Ramsar | 1990 |
| Unique feature | Phumdis (floating biomass) + Keibul Lamjao NP (world's only floating NP) |
| Flagship species | Sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer) — Critically Endangered |
7. East Kolkata Wetlands — West Bengal
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Man-made; periurban wetland system |
| Location | Eastern fringe of Kolkata |
| Area | ~12,500 ha |
| Ramsar | 2002 |
- Unique ecological service: Treats ~750 MLD of Kolkata's sewage using algae-fish ponds and vegetable farming — a natural wastewater treatment system
- Recognised as "Wisdom of Tradition" — among the world's most productive waste recycling systems
- Supports ~50,000 fisherfolk and farmers; produces ~13,000 tonnes of fish/year and significant vegetable supply
- Threatened by urban encroachment and real estate development
8. Bhoj Wetland — Madhya Pradesh
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Man-made; two reservoirs |
| Location | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Area | ~32.01 km² (Upper Lake) + 2.07 km² (Lower Lake) |
| Ramsar | 2002 |
- Upper Lake (Bada Talab): Built by Paramardideva (1011 CE) — one of the largest man-made lakes of the medieval period; source of Bhopal's drinking water
- Important waterbird habitat; 219 bird species recorded
9. Deepor Beel — Assam
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Permanent freshwater lake; former Brahmaputra channel |
| Location | Kamrup district, Assam (just southwest of Guwahati) |
| Area | ~40 km² |
| Ramsar | 2002 |
- Only Ramsar site in Assam
- Critical elephant corridor; Guwahati's only major natural stormwater retention basin
- Threatened by garbage dumping, sewage inflow, and railway line cutting through the corridor
- UPSC Trap: Assam has only 1 Ramsar site (Deepor Beel) — not multiple despite rich wetland landscape
10. Kolleru Lake — Andhra Pradesh
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Largest freshwater lake in India (by surface area — seasonal) |
| Location | Between Krishna and Godavari deltas; Krishna and West Godavari districts |
| Area | ~245 km² (core); ~900 km² in wet season |
| Ramsar | 2002 |
- Formed by floodwaters of Krishna and Godavari; unique as a seasonal freshwater lake between two major deltas
- Supports massive waterbird colonies (painted stork, pelicans, open-bill storks)
- Montreux Record status due to encroachment, aquaculture conversion
11. Vembanad-Kol Wetland — Kerala
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Coastal lagoon / backwater system |
| Location | Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kerala |
| Area | ~1,512 km² — longest lake in India (~96 km long) |
| Ramsar | 2002 |
- Core of Kerala's backwater tourism (Alleppey, Kumarakom)
- Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held on Punnamada Lake, part of Vembanad
- Threatened by sand mining, pollution, invasive species (Salvinia molesta)
- Supports significant prawn and fish farming economy
12. Bhitarkanika — Odisha
(Second largest mangrove in India — detailed in Mangroves section below)
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Mangrove wetland; tidal channels |
| Location | Kendrapara, Odisha |
| Ramsar | 2002 |
Recent Ramsar Designations — 2022–2025
2022 — India's biggest single-year addition
India added 10 new Ramsar sites in November 2022, taking the total from 54 to 75 at the time. Key additions included:
- Sirpur Wetland (MP), Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka), Nandur Madhmeshwar (Maharashtra), Thol (Gujarat), Wadhwana (Gujarat)
- Gulermarg (J&K), Zanco (J&K), Sukhna (Punjab), and others
2023–2025 Additions
| Site | State | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | 2023 |
| Longwood Shola Reserve Forest | Tamil Nadu | 2024 |
| Udhayamarthandapuram | Tamil Nadu | 2024 |
| Sakkarakottai-Thanneerpalli | Tamil Nadu | 2024 |
| Khichan | Rajasthan | 2025 (June) |
| Menar | Rajasthan | 2025 (June) |
| Siliserh Lake | Rajasthan | 2025 (December) |
| Kopra Jalashay | Rajasthan | 2025 (December) |
Note: Khichan is famous for its Demoiselle Cranes (Kurja) — tens of thousands winter here; the local community feeds them grain. Menar is known as "Mini Bharatpur" for its rich waterbird diversity.
Mangroves of India
Overview
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| India's mangrove cover (ISFR 2023) | 4,992 km² |
| Share of India's area | 0.15% |
| Global share | ~3% of world's mangrove cover |
| Trend (2019–2021) | Net increase of 17 km² |
| Trend (2021–2023) | Net increase of 8 km² |
India's mangroves have shown net increase in recent reporting periods — largely due to conservation efforts including community-based protection, legal protection under CRZ, and active replanting.
State-wise Distribution
| State | Mangrove Cover | Share |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | ~2,112 km² | 42.3% |
| Gujarat | ~1,177 km² | 23.6% |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | ~617 km² | 12.4% |
| Andhra Pradesh | ~367 km² | 7.3% |
| Odisha | ~208 km² | 4.2% |
| Maharashtra | ~192 km² | 3.8% |
| Tamil Nadu | ~84 km² | 1.7% |
| Others (Goa, Kerala, Karnataka) | ~235 km² | 4.7% |
Sundarbans — World's Largest Mangrove
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Location | Delta of Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (West Bengal + Bangladesh) |
| Total area | ~10,000 km² (Indian + Bangladeshi side) |
| Indian side | ~4,264 km² (Sundarbans NP + reserve forests) |
| Ramsar site | 1987 (Indian Sundarbans) |
| UNESCO WHS | 1987 (Indian Sundarbans) |
| Tiger Reserve | Sundarbans Tiger Reserve; significant tiger population |
| Forest type | World's largest contiguous mangrove forest |
Ecological Features:
- Dominant species: Heritiera fomes (Sundri tree — gives Sundarbans its name), Excoecaria agallocha, Avicennia spp.
- Bengal Tiger population: ~96–100 tigers (2023 estimate); adapted to swimming between islands
- Irrawaddy dolphin, estuarine crocodile, olive ridley sea turtles
- Threats: Sea level rise (+3.3 mm/year) + land subsidence (~5–6 mm/year net subsidence) + cyclone intensification
- Island submersion: Ghoramara Island (~50% area lost since 1969); Lohachara Island — first inhabited island in India submerged by sea level rise (Sundarbans, WB)
- Cyclones: Amphan (May 2020, extremely severe), Yaas (May 2021), Remal (May 2024) have caused severe damage
Bhitarkanika — Odisha's Mangrove Gem
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Location | Kendrapara district, Odisha (Mahanadi delta) |
| Area | ~672 km² (National Park: 145 km²; Wildlife Sanctuary: 672 km²) |
| Designation | Ramsar site (2002); National Park + Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Rank | 2nd largest mangrove in India (after Sundarbans) |
- World's second largest habitat for saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) — ~1,750 individuals
- Nesting site for olive ridley sea turtles (nearby Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary — world's largest mass-nesting rookery)
- Status: Montreux Record at one point; restored ecosystem
Pichavaram — Tamil Nadu
- Located near Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu — 2nd largest mangrove in India by some estimates (depending on methodology)
- ~42 km²; interconnected with Vellar-Coleroon estuarine system
- Important filming location; tourism focus; NIOT research site
Gujarat Mangroves
- Gujarat has India's second largest mangrove cover (~1,177 km²)
- Concentrated in Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat
- Mangrove species: Avicennia marina (most common in arid Gujarat); salt-adapted
MISHTI Scheme — Mangrove Conservation
MISHTI = Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | Union Budget 2023-24 |
| Implementing agency | MoEFCC + Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; MNREGA convergence |
| Goal | Mangrove plantation along India's entire coastline and on salt pan lands |
| Target | Afforestation across all coastal states and UTs |
| Approach | Convergence of MNREGA + CAMPA + Forest Department funds |
Significance:
- First dedicated national mangrove conservation scheme
- Focuses on income generation for coastal communities alongside conservation
- Addresses India's obligation under Paris Agreement (NDC carbon sink targets)
- Mangroves sequester carbon at 5× the rate of terrestrial forests per unit area
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enacted | 2017 (replaces Wetlands Rules 2010) |
| Authority | National Wetland Authority (proposed); State Wetland Authorities |
| Key provisions | Prohibition on reclamation, industrialisation, solid waste dumping, construction within notified wetlands |
| Regulatory body | State Wetland Authorities (SWA) for notified wetlands |
| CRZ overlap | Coastal wetlands also regulated under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2019 |
Montreux Record
The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur due to human activity:
- India's sites on Montreux Record: Loktak Lake (Manipur), Keoladeo NP (Rajasthan) — both remain listed as of 2026
- Removed from Montreux Record: Chilika Lake (Odisha) in 2002 after successful restoration; Harike Wetland in 2019 after partial restoration
Wetland Ecosystem Services
| Service | Examples from India |
|---|---|
| Water purification | East Kolkata Wetlands — 750 MLD sewage treatment |
| Flood control | Mumbai coastal wetlands; Delhi floodplains |
| Carbon sequestration | Mangroves store 1,000+ tC/ha — far more than upland forests |
| Fishery support | Chilika, Vembanad, Kolleru — millions depend on fish/prawn |
| Groundwater recharge | Many inland wetlands recharge aquifers |
| Biodiversity habitat | Migratory bird flyways; fish breeding |
| Tourism and culture | Backwaters (Kerala), Chilika (Odisha), Sundarbans |
| Storm surge protection | Mangroves reduced 2004 tsunami and cyclone impact on coasts |
Migratory Bird Flyways over India
India lies on several important migratory bird flyways:
| Flyway | Route through India |
|---|---|
| Central Asian Flyway (CAF) | From Siberia/Central Asia → Indian subcontinent → south; most important for India |
| East Asian-Australasian Flyway | Touches NE India and A&N Islands |
Key stopover wetlands for CAF birds:
- Chilika, Pulicat, Point Calimere (coastal Odisha/TN)
- Sambhar, Keoladeo (Rajasthan)
- Harike, Ropar (Punjab)
- Wular, Hokersar (J&K)
Important Wetlands — Quick Reference Table
| Wetland | State | Type | Area | Ramsar | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | Coastal lagoon | ~1,100 km² | 1981 | Largest coastal lagoon in Asia; Irrawaddy dolphins |
| Keoladeo NP | Rajasthan | Man-made | ~28 km² | 1981 | UNESCO WHS; migratory birds |
| Wular Lake | J&K | Freshwater | ~189 km² | 1990 | Largest natural freshwater lake in India |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | Saltwater lake | ~230 km² | 1990 | Largest inland saltwater lake; flamingoes |
| Harike | Punjab | Reservoir | ~86 km² | 1990 | Beas-Sutlej confluence |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | Freshwater | ~287 km² | 1990 | Phumdis; floating NP (Keibul Lamjao) |
| East Kolkata Wetlands | West Bengal | Periurban | ~12,500 ha | 2002 | Sewage treatment; fisherfolk economy |
| Bhoj Wetland | MP | Man-made | ~32 km² | 2002 | Medieval tank; Bhopal drinking water |
| Deepor Beel | Assam | Freshwater | ~40 km² | 2002 | Assam's only Ramsar; elephant corridor |
| Kolleru Lake | AP | Freshwater | ~245 km² | 2002 | Between Krishna and Godavari deltas |
| Vembanad-Kol | Kerala | Coastal lagoon | ~1,512 km² | 2002 | Longest lake in India; backwaters |
| Bhitarkanika | Odisha | Mangrove | ~672 km² | 2002 | 2nd largest mangrove; saltwater crocodile |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | Mangrove | ~4,264 km² (India) | 1987 | World's largest mangrove; UNESCO WHS; tigers |
| Tso Moriri | Ladakh | High-altitude | ~120 km² | 2002 | Largest entirely in India high-altitude lake |
| Chandratal | Himachal Pradesh | High-altitude | ~0.5 km² | 2005 | "Moon Lake"; 4,300 m |
| Nalsarovar | Gujarat | Freshwater | ~120 km² | 2012 | Flamingoes; near Ahmedabad |
| Khichan | Rajasthan | Wetland-village | — | 2025 | Demoiselle cranes (Kurja); community feeding |
| Menar | Rajasthan | Lake | — | 2025 | "Mini Bharatpur"; waterfowl diversity |
Key Facts for UPSC
- Ramsar Convention: Signed 2 February 1971 (Ramsar, Iran); India signed 1982; World Wetlands Day = 2 February
- India's Ramsar sites: 98 (as of January 2026) — most in Asia; Tamil Nadu leads with 20 sites
- First Indian Ramsar sites: Chilika Lake AND Keoladeo NP — both in 1981
- Chilika Lake: Largest coastal lagoon in Asia (~1,100 km²); Irrawaddy dolphins; Odisha; first Indian Ramsar (1981); removed from Montreux Record (2002)
- Wular Lake: Largest natural freshwater lake in India; J&K (Bandipora)
- Sambhar Lake: Largest inland saltwater lake in India; Rajasthan; flamingoes
- East Kolkata Wetlands: Treats 750 MLD sewage naturally; fisherfolk economy; Ramsar 2002
- Loktak Lake: Only Ramsar in Manipur; world's only floating NP (Keibul Lamjao); Sangai deer; phumdis
- Deepor Beel: Only Ramsar site in Assam; near Guwahati; elephant corridor
- Sundarbans: World's largest contiguous mangrove (~10,000 km² total; ~4,264 km² Indian side); Ramsar + UNESCO WHS (both 1987); Bengal Tiger; Lohachara Island submerged
- Bhitarkanika: 2nd largest mangrove in India; Odisha; saltwater crocodile; Ramsar 2002
- India's mangrove cover: 4,992 km² (ISFR 2023); West Bengal = 42.3% (largest share); Gujarat = 23.6%
- MISHTI: Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes; Budget 2023-24
- Montreux Record: India's sites — Loktak and Keoladeo (as of 2026); Chilika removed 2002
- Khichan (2025): Ramsar site in Rajasthan; famous for Demoiselle Cranes (Kurja)
- Vembanad-Kol: Longest lake in India (~96 km); Kerala backwaters; Ramsar 2002
- Central Asian Flyway (CAF): Main migratory route over India; Chilika, Sambhar, Keoladeo are key stopover sites
- Wetlands Rules 2017: State Wetland Authorities regulate notified wetlands; prohibit reclamation/construction
- Keoladeo NP: UNESCO WHS (1985); Ramsar (1981); Bharatpur, Rajasthan; last Siberian Crane seen 2002
- Phumdis: Unique floating biomass masses found only in Loktak Lake, Manipur
UPSC Previously Asked
UPSC Note: Numbers may change with new designations. Memorise the leaders: Tamil Nadu (20), UP (10). The total as of January 2026 is 98.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed on 2 February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, and entered into force on 21 December 1975. India acceded in 1982. World Wetlands Day is observed on 2 February every year.
India has 98 Ramsar sites (as of January 2026) — the largest number in Asia — covering approximately 1.33 million hectares. Tamil Nadu leads with 20 Ramsar sites, the most of any state.
India's first two Ramsar sites — Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan) — were both designated in 1981, one year before India formally acceded to the Ramsar Convention.
Chilika Lake (Odisha) is the largest coastal lagoon in Asia (~1,100 km²) and the second largest in the world. It is home to Irrawaddy dolphins and is a key stopover on the Central Asian Flyway for millions of migratory waterfowl.
Chilika Lake was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 and successfully removed in 2002 after restoration by the Chilika Development Authority. The Montreux Record lists Ramsar sites undergoing adverse ecological change.
Wular Lake (Bandipora, J&K) is the largest natural freshwater lake in India, fed by the Jhelum River. It was designated a Ramsar site in 1990. The proposed Tulbul Navigation Project on Wular's Jhelum outlet is disputed by Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Sambhar Salt Lake (Rajasthan, Ramsar 1990) is the largest inland saltwater lake in India (~190–230 km²). It produces ~8.7% of India's total salt and is a major staging site for flamingoes.
Loktak Lake (Manipur, Ramsar 1990) is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It contains phumdis (floating biomass islands) and hosts Keibul Lamjao National Park — the world's only floating national park — home to the Sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer).
Deepor Beel (Kamrup, Assam, Ramsar 2002) is Assam's only Ramsar site. It is a critical elephant corridor and Guwahati's only major natural stormwater retention basin, threatened by garbage dumping and a railway line.
East Kolkata Wetlands (West Bengal, Ramsar 2002, ~12,500 ha) treats ~750 MLD of Kolkata's sewage using algae-fish ponds and vegetable farming — a unique natural wastewater treatment system supporting ~50,000 fisherfolk.
Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Kerala, Ramsar 2002) is the longest lake in India (~96 km, ~1,512 km²). The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held on Punnamada Lake, which is part of the Vembanad system.
Sundarbans (West Bengal + Bangladesh) is the world's largest contiguous mangrove forest (~10,000 km² total; ~4,264 km² on the Indian side). It is both a Ramsar site (1987) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987). It hosts Bengal tigers and faces sea level rise of +3.3 mm/year.
Bhitarkanika (Kendrapara, Odisha, Ramsar 2002) is the 2nd largest mangrove in India. It harbours the world's second largest population of saltwater crocodiles (~1,750 individuals).
India's total mangrove cover (ISFR 2023) is 4,992 km² — West Bengal holds 42.3% of this (Sundarbans), Gujarat holds 23.6%. India ranks 2nd globally in mangrove area. Mangroves sequester carbon at ~5× the rate of terrestrial forests per unit area.
The MISHTI scheme (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes), launched in Union Budget 2023-24, is India's first dedicated national mangrove conservation scheme. It uses convergence of MNREGA, CAMPA, and Forest Department funds.
India lies on the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) — the most important migratory bird route for India, from Siberia/Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent. Key stopover wetlands include Chilika, Sambhar, Keoladeo, Harike, and Wular.
As of 2026, Loktak Lake and Keoladeo National Park remain on the Montreux Record. Harike Wetland (Punjab) was removed from the Montreux Record in 2019 after partial restoration.
Related Chapters
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Climate Change and India's Changing Geography
India's Island Territories — Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep
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