India’s wetland wonders: 94 Ramsar sites & counting

Understanding Ramsar sites and the Ramsar Convention

Definition: Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, 1971, an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Origin: The convention was signed in the city of Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and came into effect in 1975 under the auspices of UNESCO.

Objective: To ensure that wetlands — critical ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, water regulation, flood mitigation and livelihood support — are maintained in an ecologically balanced manner.

Framework: It encourages national action and international cooperation to protect wetlands, especially those vital for migratory birds, rare species and hydrological stability.

India’s progress in Ramsar recognition

Total sites (as of 2025): 94 wetlands covering approximately 13.6 lakh hectares.

Growth trend: India’s Ramsar network has expanded from 26 sites in 2012 to 94 in 2025, with 51 new designations since 2020 — reflecting proactive conservation efforts.

Global standing:

3rd globally, after the United Kingdom (176 sites) and Mexico (144 sites).

1st in Asia in terms of the number of Ramsar-designated wetlands.

UPSC relevance and key takeaways

GS Paper 3 – Environment: Questions can focus on the Ramsar Convention, its objectives and India’s wetland conservation strategy.

Prelims pointers:

Ramsar Convention → 1971, Ramsar (Iran).

India’s first Ramsar site → Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park (1981).

Latest additions (2025) → Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheel, Bihar.

Concept linkages: Related to topics such as ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and community-led environmental management.

In essence, India’s addition of Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheel to the Ramsar list is not just an administrative milestone, but a testament to the country’s ongoing commitment to balance ecological integrity with local livelihood security — a theme central to sustainable development and environmental governance.