Ramsar sites in India, numbering 80 as of January 2024, which are wetlands recognized as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. They cover over 1,083,322 hectares, providing essential services such as water purification, flood control, and habitat for diverse species.
Tamil Nadu Leads in Number of Ramsar Sites in India: Among Indian states, Tamil Nadu boasts the highest number of Ramsar sites, with a total of 16. This reflects the state’s rich wetland biodiversity and underscores the need for conservation efforts.
Rapid Expansion Ramsar sites in India: The journey of Ramsar sites in India began modestly, with only 26 sites until 2014. However, over the years, there has been a remarkable expansion, with 54 new sites added since then. This growth highlights increasing recognition of the importance of conserving wetlands for sustainable development.
Threats to Ramsar sites Wetlands: Despite their ecological significance, wetlands in India face numerous threats. Factors such as loss of vegetation, water pollution, invasive species, and human activities like excessive development and road construction pose significant challenges to their health and integrity.
WWF’s Concern: According to WWF-India, wetlands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the country. Their degradation not only jeopardizes biodiversity but also impacts communities reliant on wetlands for livelihoods and resources.
Urgent Action Needed: The increasing number of Ramsar sites in India reflects growing awareness of the importance of wetland conservation. However, this expansion must be accompanied by robust conservation measures to address the threats faced by these critical ecosystems.
Ramsar sites play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s wetland heritage. Protecting and managing these sites effectively is essential for ensuring the continued provision of ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation.
What is a Ramsar Site?
Ramsar sites represent wetland areas acknowledged for their global significance under the Ramsar Convention. This convention, also known as “The Convention on Wetlands,” was established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under UNESCO’s auspices. It aims to promote the conservation of wetlands and their sustainable utilization on a national and international scale.
International Recognition of Ramsar Sites: The Ramsar Convention entered into force in 1975 after being ratified by numerous nations. Its primary focus is to identify wetlands of international importance, particularly those serving as critical habitats for waterfowl.
Global Impact: With 2,500 Ramsar sites worldwide, covering over 257 million hectares, this convention engages 172 national governments in wetland conservation efforts.
Importance of Ramsar Sites: These designated areas play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, serving as habitats for numerous species and contributing to ecosystem health.
Participation and Cooperation: The Ramsar Convention encourages collaboration among nations to protect wetlands and ensure their sustainable management. It emphasizes the need for both national action and international cooperation in wetland conservation.
Conservation Challenges: Despite their importance, Ramsar sites face various threats, including habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from governments, organizations, and local communities.
Future Prospects: As awareness of wetland conservation grows, efforts to expand Ramsar sites and enhance their protection are expected to continue, safeguarding these invaluable ecosystems for future generations.
Deciphering Ramsar Site Criteria
Introduction to Criteria: Ramsar sites are designated based on specific criteria outlined by the Ramsar Convention. These criteria help identify wetlands of international importance and guide conservation efforts.
Criterion 1:
Unique Wetland Types: A Ramsar site may be recognized if it represents a rare or unique example of a natural wetland type within its biogeographic region.
Criterion 2:
Support for Endangered Species: Wetlands supporting vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities are eligible for Ramsar designation.
Criterion 3:
Biodiversity Support: Wetlands that host plant and/or animal species crucial for maintaining biological diversity within a particular biogeographic region meet this criterion.
Criterion 4:
Habitat Provision: Ramsar sites may include wetlands that serve as critical habitats for plant and/or animal species during crucial stages of their life cycles or provide refuge during adverse conditions.
Criterion 5 & 6:
Waterbird Population: Wetlands regularly supporting large populations of waterbirds, either exceeding 20,000 individuals (Criterion 5) or representing 1% of a specific waterbird population (Criterion 6), are deemed significant.
Criterion 7:
Indigenous Fish Support: Ramsar sites supporting a significant proportion of indigenous fish species, life stages, or interactions contribute to global biological diversity.
Criterion 8:
Fishery Importance: Wetlands serving as essential sources of food, spawning grounds, nurseries, or migration paths for fish stocks qualify for Ramsar designation.
Criterion 9:
Support for Non-Avian Species: Wetlands regularly supporting 1% of the population of a particular non-avian wetland-dependent species are considered internationally important.
Application to India’s Ramsar Sites: The criteria outlined above serve as a framework for identifying Ramsar sites worldwide, including India’s 80 designated sites. These sites encompass a diverse range of wetland types and support a multitude of plant and animal species crucial for biodiversity conservation.
Here is the number of Ramsar sites by state/union territory in India:
| State/UT | No. of Sites | Names of Ramsar Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 1 | Kolleru Lake |
| Assam | 1 | Deepor Beel |
| Bihar | 1 | Kanwar Lake |
| Goa | 1 | Nanda Lake |
| Gujarat | 4 | Khijadiya, Nalsarovar, Thol Lake, Wadhvana Wetland |
| Haryana | 2 | Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Chandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka Lake |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 5 | Hokersar Wetland, Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Wular Lake |
| Karnataka | 4 | Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve |
| Kerala | 3 | Ashtamudi Wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake, Vembanad-Kol Wetland |
| Ladakh | 2 | Tso Kar, Tsomoriri Lake |
| Madhya Pradesh | 4 | Bhoj Wetland, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur Lake, Yashwant Sagar |
| Maharashtra | 3 | Lonar Lake, Nandur Madhameshwar, Thane Creek |
| Manipur | 1 | Loktak Lake |
| Mizoram | 1 | Pala Wetland |
| Odisha | 6 | Ansupa Lake, Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Chilika Lake, Hirakud Reservoir, Satkosia Gorge, Tampara Lake |
| Punjab | 6 | Beas Conservation Reserve, Harike Wetland, Kanjli Wetland, Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Ropar Wetland |
| Rajasthan | 2 | Keoladeo National Park, Sambhar Lake |
| Tamil Nadu | 16 | Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Pallikarnai Marsh Reserve Forest, Pichavaram Mangrove, Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Vadavur Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Vembannur Wetland Complex |
| Tripura | 1 | Rudrasagar Lake |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Bakhira Sanctuary, Haiderpur Wetland, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Sur Sarovar, Upper Ganga River |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | Asan Barrage |
| West Bengal | 2 | East Kolkata Wetlands, Sundarban Wetland |
Recent Additions to Ramsar Sites in India
January 2024 Updates of Ramsar Sites in India:
In January 2024, the list of Ramsar Sites in India expanded with the addition of five new sites:
- Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve – Located in Karnataka, this reserve provides vital habitat for numerous bird species, contributing to the region’s biodiversity.
- Aghanashini Estuary – Also situated in Karnataka, this estuarine ecosystem supports diverse flora and fauna, particularly waterbirds and aquatic species.
- Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve – Another addition from Karnataka, this conservation reserve is essential for the protection of wetland habitats and associated biodiversity.
- Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary – Located in Tamil Nadu, this sanctuary serves as a crucial habitat for various bird species, enhancing the state’s avian diversity.
- Longwood Shola Reserve Forest – Situated in Tamil Nadu, this reserve forest is significant for its unique shola-grassland ecosystem, supporting endemic flora and fauna.
July 2022 Updates of Ramsar Sites in India:
Additionally, in July 2022, five new Ramsar Sites were designated from India, further enriching the country’s wetland conservation efforts:
- Karikili Bird Sanctuary – Located in Tamil Nadu, this sanctuary is renowned for its avian diversity and plays a crucial role in bird conservation.
- Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest – Situated in Tamil Nadu, this reserve forest is vital for the protection of marshland habitat and associated biodiversity.
- Pichavaram Mangrove – Also found in Tamil Nadu, this mangrove ecosystem is a haven for diverse flora and fauna, including mangrove species and migratory birds.
- Sakhya Sagar – Located in Madhya Pradesh, this site is significant for its wetland ecosystem, providing essential habitat for various aquatic species and waterbirds.
- Pala Wetlands – Situated in Mizoram, these wetlands are critical for the conservation of unique biodiversity, including aquatic species and migratory birds.
Largest, Smallest, and Oldest Ramsar Sites in India
Largest Ramsar Site in India: Sunderbans Wetland
- State: West Bengal
- Area: 4230 Square Kilometers
Smallest Ramsar Site in India: Renuka Wetland
- State: Himachal Pradesh
- Area: 0.2 Square Kilometers
Oldest Ramsar Site in India: Chilka Lake
- State: Odisha
- Area: 1165
Three Largest Ramsar Sites in India
- Sundarban Wetland
- State: West Bengal
- Vembanad-Kol Wetland
- State: Kerala
- Chilika Lake
- State: Odisha
Three Smallest Ramsar Sites in India
- Vembannur Wetland Complex
- State: Tamil Nadu
- Renuka Lake
- State: Himachal Pradesh
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
- State: Tamil Nadu
Three Oldest Ramsar Sites in India
- Keoladeo Ghana National Park
- Designation Year: 1981
- Chilka Lake
- Designation Year: 1981
- Harike Wetland
- Designation Year: 1990
In conclusion, Ramsar site criteria provide a systematic approach to recognizing and conserving wetlands of international importance. India’s Ramsar sites showcase the country’s commitment to preserving its rich wetland heritage and safeguarding critical habitats for future generations.