๐ฏ Chapter 03 ยท Topic 03 ยท Ramsar Sites & Wetlands
Ramsar Sites & Wetlands in India
Ramsar Convention, India’s 75 Ramsar sites, key wetlands and their ecological significance.
Ramsar Convention โ Key Facts
The Ramsar Convention (formally: Convention on Wetlands of International Importance) is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Signed | 1971 in Ramsar, Iran (on the shores of the Caspian Sea) |
| Entered into Force | 1975 |
| Secretariat | Gland, Switzerland (same as IUCN) |
| World Wetlands Day | February 2 (date of convention signing) |
| India joined | 1982 |
| India’s Ramsar Sites | 75 (as of 2023) โ largest in South Asia |
| India’s first sites (1981) | Chilika Lake (Odisha) & Keoladeo Ghana (Rajasthan) |
| Total global sites | 2,400+ Ramsar sites worldwide |
โก Exam Tip: World Wetlands Day = February 2. India has the most Ramsar sites in South Asia and the 4th highest in the world. The first two Ramsar sites of India were designated in 1981.
Key Ramsar Sites of India
| Ramsar Site | State | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | Largest brackish water lagoon in Asia; Irrawaddy dolphins; first Ramsar site (1981) |
| Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur) | Rajasthan | Migratory birds; UNESCO WHS; first Ramsar site (1981) |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | Largest freshwater lake in NE India; floating islands (phumdis); Sangai (brow-antlered deer) |
| Wular Lake | J&K | Largest freshwater lake in India |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | Largest inland saline lake in India; flamingos |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh | Largest freshwater lake in South India; between Krishna & Godavari rivers |
| Deepor Beel | Assam | Only Ramsar site in Assam; elephants; migratory birds |
| Bhitarkanika | Odisha | Saltwater crocodiles; mangroves; Olive Ridley turtles |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | Largest mangrove forest; Bengal Tiger; UNESCO WHS |
| Harike Wetland | Punjab | Largest wetland in North India; confluence of Beas & Sutlej |
| Renuka Lake | Himachal Pradesh | Smallest Ramsar site in India |
| Vembanad Lake | Kerala | Longest lake in India; Kuttanad (below sea level farming) |
| Asthamudi Wetland | Kerala | Eight-armed lake; gateway to backwaters |
| Pong Dam Lake | Himachal Pradesh | Bar-headed geese; migratory birds |
๐ฟ Loktak Lake Special: The floating islands on Loktak Lake are called phumdis โ heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter. The Keibul Lamjao National Park (world’s only floating NP) is located on Loktak Lake and is the last natural habitat of the Sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer).
Wetland Ecosystem Services
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Flood ControlAct as natural sponges; absorb excess water during floods
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Water PurificationFilter pollutants; improve water quality naturally
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Carbon StoragePeatlands store more carbon than tropical forests
๐ฆ
BiodiversitySupport 40% of world’s species; critical bird habitats
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FisheriesBreeding grounds for fish; support livelihoods
๐พ
Groundwater RechargeReplenish aquifers; maintain water table
Wetland Types in India
- Coastal wetlands: Mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons (e.g., Chilika, Sundarbans)
- Inland wetlands: Lakes, rivers, floodplains, marshes (e.g., Loktak, Wular, Sambhar)
- Man-made wetlands: Reservoirs, rice paddies, salt pans (e.g., Pong Dam, Harike)
- Montane wetlands: High-altitude lakes, glacial lakes (e.g., Tsomoriri, Pangong Tso)
โก Montreux Record: A register of Ramsar sites where ecological character has changed or is likely to change due to human interference. India’s sites on Montreux Record: Keoladeo Ghana NP and Loktak Lake (both added; Keoladeo later removed after restoration).
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Revision Checklist โ Topic 03
โ Ramsar Convention signed 1971 in Ramsar, Iran; entered force 1975
โ Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland
โ World Wetlands Day: February 2
โ India’s first Ramsar sites (1981): Chilika Lake + Keoladeo Ghana
โ India has 75 Ramsar sites (2023) โ largest in South Asia
โ Chilika โ largest brackish water lagoon in Asia
โ Loktak โ floating islands (phumdis); Sangai deer; Keibul Lamjao (floating NP)
โ Wular โ largest freshwater lake in India
โ Sambhar โ largest inland saline lake in India
โ Vembanad โ longest lake in India
โ Renuka โ smallest Ramsar site in India
โ Montreux Record: Keoladeo Ghana and Loktak Lake
โ 6 wetland ecosystem services: flood control, purification, carbon, biodiversity, fisheries, groundwater
โ Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland
โ World Wetlands Day: February 2
โ India’s first Ramsar sites (1981): Chilika Lake + Keoladeo Ghana
โ India has 75 Ramsar sites (2023) โ largest in South Asia
โ Chilika โ largest brackish water lagoon in Asia
โ Loktak โ floating islands (phumdis); Sangai deer; Keibul Lamjao (floating NP)
โ Wular โ largest freshwater lake in India
โ Sambhar โ largest inland saline lake in India
โ Vembanad โ longest lake in India
โ Renuka โ smallest Ramsar site in India
โ Montreux Record: Keoladeo Ghana and Loktak Lake
โ 6 wetland ecosystem services: flood control, purification, carbon, biodiversity, fisheries, groundwater