List of Ramsar sites in India

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There are 85 Ramsar sites in India as of August 2024.[1][2][3][4] These are wetlands deemed to be of "international importance" under the Ramsar Convention. For a full list of all Ramsar sites worldwide, see the List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance.

According to The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017, the Indian government's definition of wetlands does not include river channels, paddy fields, or other areas utilized for commercial activities.[5]

According To WWF-India, wetlands are one of the most threatened of all ecosystems in India. Loss of vegetation, salinization, excessive inundation, water pollution, invasive species, excessive development and road building, have all damaged the country's wetlands.[6] The surface-area covered by Ramsar Sites are around 13,32,746.24 hectares[7].[8] Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India with 18 Ramsar Sites.[9]

Till 2014 there were 26 Ramsar sites across India. Since 2014 till date 59 new Ramsar sites have been added across India.

  1. ^ Service, Statesman News (2024-08-14). "India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites to 85: Bhupender Yadav". The Statesman. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  2. ^ "Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries designated 'Ramsar Sites' taking country's recognised wetlands tally to 82". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  3. ^ "Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  4. ^ "India equals China as Bihar's Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries added to Ramsar list". The Economic Times. 2024-06-07. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  5. ^ "Wetlands Conservation and Management rules, 2017". Wetlands of India Portal. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  6. ^ O'Neill, A. R. (2022). "Evaluating high-altitude Ramsar wetlands in the Sikkim Eastern Himalayas". Global Ecology and Conservation. 20 (e00715): 19. doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00715.
  7. ^ PTI (2024-06-05). "Two more Indian wetlands added to Ramsar list". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  8. ^ "Ramsar sites in India".
  9. ^ Koshy, Jacob (2024-08-14). "Three more Ramsar wetland sites now in India, taking total to 85". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-18.