India has 99 Ramsar sites — wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. Explore the full directory with maps, statistics, and detailed information.
Total Ramsar Sites
99
Wetlands of international importance
Total Area
13,422.57km²
Combined area of all sites
State with Most Sites
Tamil Nadu
20 Ramsar sites
Newest Designation
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary
22 April 2026
Showing 99 of 99 Ramsar sites
One of India's largest freshwater lakes, serving as a natural flood-balancing reservoir. Important habitat for migratory birds including the spot-billed pelican and painted stork.
★ One of India's largest freshwater lakes
A freshwater lake in the Brahmaputra valley, one of the largest beels (wetlands) in Assam. Rich in aquatic biodiversity and important for migratory birds.
Also known as Kanwar Jheel, it covers 2,620 hectares of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. One of 18 wetlands within an extensive floodplain complex; floods during the monsoon season.
★ One of Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lakes
Located in Curchorem district of Goa. Comprises intermittent freshwater marshes adjacent to one of the major tributaries of the Zuari river. Supports a wide variety of bird species.
Located in Mehsana district of Gujarat. A shallow freshwater reservoir, predominantly open water area. Man-made wetland originally constructed for irrigation in 1912.
Located in Dabhoi Tehsil, Vadodara district, Gujarat. Created in 1910 by the former Baroda State. Supports diverse bird species in a semi-arid agricultural landscape.
Bird sanctuary located in Jamnagar district. About 300 species of migratory birds recorded. Unique sanctuary with fresh water lakes and salt marshes.
A natural freshwater lake (a relict sea) that is the largest natural wetland in the Thar Desert Biogeographic Province. Dynamic environment with varying salinity and depth.
Located in the Gurgaon district of Haryana, 46 km from Delhi. Essentially a bird watcher's paradise with few trees obstructing the view of birds and animals.
A human-made freshwater wetland located in Jhajjar district, Haryana. The largest wetland in Haryana. Declared a bird sanctuary in 2009.
A water storage reservoir created in 1975 on the Beas River in the foothills of the Himalayas. Important wintering ground for migratory birds.
A high-altitude lake in the Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh. Named for its crescent shape, it is a popular trekking destination and important wildlife habitat.
★ High-altitude lake in the Himalayas
A natural wetland with freshwater springs and inland subterranean karst formations, fed by a small stream flowing from the lower Himalayas. Home to at least 443 species.
A natural backwater in Kollam district, Kerala. The rivers Kallada and Pallichal drain into it. Forms an estuary with the sea at Neendakara fishing harbour.
★ Second largest estuary in Kerala
The largest freshwater lake in northeastern India, famous for phumdis (heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matter). Home to the endangered Manipur brow-antlered deer (Sangai).
★ Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, famous for phumdis
A world-renowned model of multiple-use wetland, saving Kolkata from costs of constructing and operating wastewater treatment plants. Supports fisheries and agriculture.
★ World's largest wastewater-fed aquaculture system
A mosaic of lakes, marshes and riparian forest on the Deccan Plateau. Construction of the Nandur Madhameshwar Weir at the confluence of Godavari and Kadva rivers created a thriving habitat.
Located in the Sivalik Hills of Punjab. Supports abundant flora and fauna including threatened species such as the Indian pangolin and Egyptian vulture.
A shallow marshland 45 kilometres from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Monsoon rains feed this diverse wetland while the Sarda Canal supplies additional water.
A permanent freshwater environment consisting of two oxbow lakes. These wetlands are characteristic of Uttar Pradesh and offer exceptional habitats for waterbirds.
A coastal area consisting of shallow waters, shores, sand bars, intertidal flats, and mangrove forests. Seasonal lagoons and salt pans provide critical flamingo habitat.
★ Important bird area, flamingo habitat
A community-managed wetland reserve in Punjab providing important habitat for waterbirds and supporting local biodiversity in the agricultural landscape.
A UNESCO World Heritage site and major bird sanctuary. It became India's first Ramsar site along with Chilika Lake. Famous for breeding populations of painted storks, egrets, and herons.
★ UNESCO World Heritage site, major bird sanctuary
A human-made wetland of lake and river formed by construction of a barrage for diversion of water from the Sutlej River. Important breeding place for many bird species.
A lowland sedimentation reservoir in the northeast hills, fed by three perennial streams discharging to the Gumti River. Abundant in commercially important freshwater fish.
A seasonal oxbow lake on the Ganges floodplain. Heavily reliant on the south-westerly monsoon. Provides important habitat for migratory waterbirds.
A perennial lowland marsh typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Raebareli district. Six connected lakes. Annual counts regularly find more than 75,000 birds.
India's largest inland salt lake. Key wintering area for tens of thousands of flamingos and other birds migrating from northern Asia. Specialized algae and bacteria thrive in the lake.
★ India's largest inland salt lake
A freshwater marsh in the Hardoi district, typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Receives most of its water from monsoon rains. Rich in aquatic plants.
A permanent marsh in the Etawah district. This typical wetland of the Indo-Gangetic Plain is fed by the southwest monsoon rains. Example of co-habitation of humans and wildlife.
The largest freshwater lake in Kerala, situated in Kollam district. Known for its pristine waters and abundant biodiversity. The Kallada River once had a unique replenishing system.
A human-made wetland formed in 1984 by construction of the Madhya Ganga Barrage on a floodplain of the River Ganga. Located within Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Located within the largest mangrove forest in the world, encompassing hundreds of islands and a maze of rivers, rivulets and creeks in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. UNESCO World Heritage site.
★ UNESCO World Heritage site, largest mangrove forest
A freshwater composite lake in semi-arid Jammu Region. Surinsar is rain-fed without permanent discharge, while Mansar is fed by surface springs and runoff.
A freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595 m above sea level. Said to represent the only breeding ground outside China for the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis).
★ One of the highest altitude lakes in the world (4,595m)
A shallow river stretch of the Ganges with intermittent pools and reservoirs upstream from barrages. Provides critical habitat for the IUCN Red Listed Ganges river dolphin.
★ Critical habitat for Ganges river dolphin
The largest lake of Kerala, spanning across Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Malappuram districts. Famous tourist locations like Alappuzha and Kumarakom are here.
★ Largest lake in Kerala, iconic backwaters
The largest freshwater lake in India with extensive marshes of emergent and floating vegetation. Water chestnut provides an important source of revenue.
★ Largest freshwater lake in India
The Asan Conservation Reserve is a 444-hectare stretch of the Asan River running down to its confluence with the Yamuna River in Dehradun district. Important bird area.
India's second largest mangrove forest after the Sundarbans. The core area was declared Bhitarkanika National Park. Rich in estuarine crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, and migratory birds.
★ India's second largest mangrove forest
Also known as Keetham Lake, originally created to supply water to Agra in summer. The wetland soon became an important and rich ecosystem supporting diverse bird species.
An endorheic basin, almost circular, formed by a meteorite impact some 50,000 years ago onto basalt bedrock. One of four known hyper-velocity impact craters in basaltic rock.
★ Only hyper-velocity impact crater in basaltic rock on Earth
A high-altitude wetland complex at more than 4,500 m in the Changthang region of Ladakh. Includes two connected lakes: freshwater Startsapuk Tso and the larger hypersaline Tso Kar.
★ High-altitude wetland complex in Ladakh
Located in the northwest Himalayan biogeographic province of Kashmir. Only 10 km from Srinagar. A natural wetland supporting diverse waterfowl and aquatic vegetation.
A permanent stream, the Kali Bein, converted by construction of a small barrage in 1870 into a water storage area for irrigation. Supports populations of plants and animals important for biodiversity.
A brackish water lagoon spread over Puri, Khordha and Ganjam districts on the east coast. Asia's largest brackish water lagoon and a major wintering ground for migratory birds.
★ Asia's largest brackish water lagoon
A stretch of the Beas River providing critical habitat for the endangered Indus river dolphin and smooth-coated otters. One of the last strongholds of the Indus dolphin.
The largest natural flood plain wetland of India in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Established in 1980. Provides a safe wintering and staging ground for migratory birds.
A shallow water reservoir with thirteen islands at the confluence of two rivers. Dense floating vegetation covers 70% of the lake. Important for breeding, wintering, and staging birds.
A 58 hectare protected area in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. Located about 75 km from Chennai, south of Chengalpattu. Important bird nesting site.
A freshwater marsh located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The only surviving wetland ecosystem of the city and among the last remaining natural wetlands of South India.
Located near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district. One of India's largest mangrove ecosystems. Features intricate waterways and provides habitat for diverse aquatic species.
The largest natural wetland in Mizoram. Surrounded by green woodlands and home to a rich diversity of animal species. An important ecological and cultural landmark.
Sakhya Sagar Lake is an integral part of the beautiful ecology of the Madhav National Park in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. Supports diverse aquatic and bird life.
Located in Angul district of Odisha, carved out of the Mahanadi river. The gorge is located within the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, a United Nations protected area.
Consists of two lakes in Bhopal: the Bhojtal (Upper Lake) and the Lower Lake. Created by Raja Bhoj in the 11th century. Rich in biodiversity and culturally significant.
★ Artificial lakes built by Raja Bhoj in the 11th century
Located at the south-eastern tip of India. One of the most biologically diverse regions in India, supporting corals, fish, birds, crustaceans, and the endangered dugong.
★ First marine biosphere reserve in India
Located in Mandya district of Karnataka. An ecologically important riverine wetland rich in species such as mugger crocodile, hump-backed mahseer, and painted stork.
A man-made inland tank forming the southernmost tip of peninsular India. Located 4 km from Rajakkamangalam in Tamil Nadu. Provides suitable habitat to diverse waterbirds.
Located in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. A man-made tank providing ideal habitat for birds. Important for both resident and migratory waterfowl.
Located in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. Consists of man-made irrigation tanks serving as important staging and breeding grounds for several species of waterbirds.
Located in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu. The oldest water bird sanctuary in the country, known for centuries-old tradition of bird protection by local villagers.
Located in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. A man-made wetland supporting terrestrial plants, macrophytes, fish, reptiles, amphibians and waterbirds.
Located in Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Consists of irrigation tanks interconnected by a network of canals. Important for migratory waterbirds.
A freshwater lake in Odisha supporting diverse aquatic flora and fauna. Important habitat for migratory and resident bird species.
Located behind the Hirakud Dam in Odisha. One of the longest man-made dams in the world. Shoreline runs close to Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
A freshwater lake in Odisha, part of the Mahanadi delta system. Supports rich aquatic biodiversity and provides habitat for resident and migratory birds.
A reservoir in Madhya Pradesh providing important wetland habitat. Supports diverse bird species and aquatic life in the region.
A bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu providing habitat for migratory waterbirds. Supports diverse species including painted storks and grey herons.
Situated within Suchindram Theroor Birds Sanctuary at the southern tip of the Central Asian flyway. Critical stopover for migratory birds.
A bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu providing important habitat for waterbirds. Supports both resident and migratory species.
A protected bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Provides critical nesting and foraging habitat for waterbirds and migratory species.
An estuarine ecosystem in Maharashtra known for flamingo congregations. Important habitat for migratory birds along the west coast of India.
A wetland conservation reserve in Jammu and Kashmir. Supports diverse aquatic vegetation and provides habitat for migratory waterfowl.
A wetland conservation reserve in Jammu and Kashmir. Important for waterfowl and aquatic biodiversity in the Kashmir valley.
A human-made village irrigation tank built centuries back. Home to painted stork and black-headed ibis. Important community-managed wetland.
Formed at the confluence of the Aghanashini River with the Arabian Sea. Rich estuarine biodiversity supporting fish, birds, and mangroves.
A conservation reserve where bar-headed geese winter. Important wetland in Karnataka supporting diverse migratory bird species.
Home to pin-tailed duck, garganey, northern shoveler, common pochard, Eurasian wigeon, common teal and cotton teal. Important waterfowl habitat.
Serves as habitat for black-chinned Nilgiri laughingthrush, Nilgiri blue robin and vulnerable Nilgiri wood-pigeon. Part of the Western Ghats ecosystem.
A bird sanctuary in Bihar providing important wetland habitat for migratory and resident bird species in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
A bird sanctuary in Bihar. Important wetland habitat supporting diverse waterbirds in the Gangetic floodplain.
A reservoir in Madhya Pradesh formed by the Tawa Dam. Important wetland habitat supporting diverse aquatic and bird species.
A bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu providing habitat for waterbirds and migratory species in the region.
A bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Important coastal wetland providing habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds.
A bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Provides important wetland habitat for waterbirds and migratory species.
A bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu providing important habitat for waterbirds and supporting regional biodiversity.
A high-altitude lake in Sikkim. Sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. Nestled in pristine Himalayan landscape with rich biodiversity.
A lake in Jharkhand providing important wetland habitat. Supports diverse aquatic and bird species in the region.
Known for migratory demoiselle cranes locally known as Kurja. A community-managed wetland in Rajasthan supporting thousands of migratory birds.
Known for migratory greater flamingo and large population of peacocks. An important wetland complex in Rajasthan.
Known for migratory and resident birds. An important wetland in Bihar supporting diverse avian species.
Known for migratory and resident birds. A reservoir in Bihar providing habitat for diverse waterbirds.
Located in Katihar district of Bihar. An important wetland ecosystem supporting local biodiversity.
Located in Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh. A reservoir providing wetland habitat for aquatic and bird species.
Located in Alwar, Rajasthan. A scenic lake providing important wetland habitat and supporting local biodiversity.
Located in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh. A bird sanctuary providing habitat for waterbirds in the Gangetic plain.
Located in Kutch district of Gujarat. A seasonal wetland supporting diverse migratory birds in the arid landscape.
Located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. A wetland sanctuary providing habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds.
+11 more states with Ramsar sites
Ramsar sites data sourced from the Ramsar Sites Information Service (RSIS) and Wikipedia. Coordinates are approximate for most sites, using state centroids and known locations for well-known wetlands. Site descriptions are curated summaries. Last updated: 2026.