India contains a wide variety of wetlands of which most are Ramsar Sites or wetlands of international importance as stipulated by the Ramsar Convention 1971. Such sensitive and ecologically rich ecosystems are of critical importance in conservation of biodiversity, regulation of water and climate and livelihood support. India has been able to grow its list of the Ramsar sites tremendously as of 2025 making India the country with the largest number of Ramsar sites in Asia. The present academic review elaborates the history, importance, the count, current trends, and conservation activities related to the Ramsar Sites in India and especially in Rajasthan and other high priority states.

What is a Ramsar Site? 

A Ramsar Site is a wetland of international importance, as referred to in the Ramsar Convention which is an intergovernmental treaty agreed upon in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, towards the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

• Examples of wetlands are marshes, lakes, rivers, mangroves, peatlands, coral reefs and channels and man-made wetlands such as reservoirs and fish ponds.
• These sites are well known either because of their ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological or hydrological relevance.
• Ramsar Sites seek sustainability at the use of wetland ecosystems by sustaining biodiversity and human communities.

Key Details for RPSC RAS Mains

Background and History of Ramsar Sites

The Ramsar Sites initiative was created on the basis of the increasing national concern over declining wetlands due to the fact that this is one of the most productive ecosystems on earth. Such habitats were threatened by industrialisation, land conversion and pollution.

Historical Milestones:

• 1960s: European ornithologists and ecologists were sounding wart alarms about disappearing wetland habitat, as especially migratory waterbirds.
• 1971: In Iran, Ramsar Convention came into existence when the convention was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar.
• 1982: India was the Contracting Party of the Convention on February 1, 1982.
• 1981: India assigned both of the first two Ramsar Sites namely, Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) in India.
• Post-2019: India saw an explosive growth of areas covered by Ramsar because it had active government policies.

The Convention has since developed over time so that it is not only applicable to the protection of birds, but also to its sustainability regarding the wise uses of wetlands that include conservation, research, education and livelihood issues.

Recent Developments (2025 Update)

In the year 2025, India has made some vital moves towards doing more to conserve its wetlands:

• In June 2025, there were a total of 91 Ramsar sites in India.
• June 2025 Additions:
• Khichan (Phalodi) -Rajasthan
• Menar (Udaipur) Rajasthan
• Previously Added (February 2, 2025):
• Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
• Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
• Sikkim Khecheopalri Wetland, Sikkim
• Jharkhand, Udhwa Lake

These extensions elevate India as the largest in Asia and the third broadly speaking the world in the number of Ramsar Sites, after the UK and Mexico.

Number of Ramsar Sites in India (As of June 2025)

Number of Ramsar Sites in Rajasthan (2025)

In Rajasthan there are 4 Ramsar Sites:

1. Keoladeo national park (Designated 1981)
2. Sambhar Lake (Designated 1990)
3. Khichan (Phalodi) June 2025
4. Menar (Udaipur) - Established- June 2025

State-wise Area of Ramsar Sites in India

Total Area: ~15,700 km²

Largest Ramsar Sites in India

Smallest Ramsar Sites in India

Oldest Ramsar Sites in India

1. Chilika Lake (1981)
2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park (1981)

International Convention on Ramsar Sites

• The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran and became effective in 1975.
• India acceded to the treaty on 1 st February 1982.
• It is estimated that more than 255 million hectares of Ramsar Sites are in over 2,466 sites in 172 countries belonging to the convention.

Key Objectives of the Ramsar Convention:

• Facilitate proper utilization of wetlands
• Develop and protect Wetlands of International Importance
• Encourage cross border collaboration, particularly with regard to transboundary wetlands
• Open up an outlet to research, policy, and funding

Importance of Ramsar Sites

Ramsar Sites are strategic ecosystems that carry diverse environmental, ecological and socio-economical values.

Ecological Importance

• Destination of endangered and migratory species (e.g. Siberian crane at Keoladeo NP)
• Avoid alteration of hydrological balance and recharge aquifers
• Protect aquatic life and plants

Climate Regulation

• Wetlands act as carbon sinks and regulate local climate
• Buffer against floods and droughts

Socio-Economic Role

• Offer livelihoods on fishing, agriculture, tourism
• Encourage eco-tourism, research and education
• Delivery of freshwater and water quality preservation

Cultural and Heritage Value

• A lot of wetlands have a connection to customs and festivals as well as local ideologies
• Encourage locally-based conservation I models

Key Conservation Measures in India

India has embraced a number of its national approaches in line with the Ramsar Convention:

• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017
• National Plan of Christening Aquatics (NPCA), 2015
• 2023 Capacity-building on the wetland eco-tourism and participation of the community under Amrit Dharohar Scheme
• World Wetlands Day (Feb 2) -Dissemination campaign and the promotion of conservation

Conclusion

The Ramsar Sites are pillars of the wetland conservation strategy in India and it assimilates ecological interest with sustainable development. Becoming a cult of Ramsar Sites in India indicates the desire of the country to sustain the environmental state, conserve biodiversity, and act in collaboration with the other countries. In the future, we must integrate wetland management, community initiative, and policy interventions based on science to guarantee sustainability and operation of these most important ecosystems.