Four New Ramsar Sites in India Announced Ahead of World Wetlands Day 2025

India Strengthens Wetland Conservation with 89 Ramsar Sites

India has reaffirmed its commitment to wetland conservation by designating four new Ramsar sites, bringing the total to 89. This announcement was made by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change just before World Wetlands Day (February 2, 2025).

List of Newly Declared Ramsar Sites in India (2025)

Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu

Therthangal Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu

Khecheopalri Wetland – Sikkim (First Ramsar site in Sikkim)

Udhwa Lake – Jharkhand (First Ramsar site in Jharkhand)

This marks a historic milestone as Sikkim and Jharkhand receive their first Ramsar sites. Notably, Tamil Nadu now leads the country with 20 Ramsar sites, demonstrating its strong conservation efforts.

India’s Global Standing in Wetland Conservation

With 89 designated Ramsar sites, India:

Holds the largest number of Ramsar sites in Asia

Ranks third globally in wetland conservation

Why Are Ramsar Sites Important?

Wetlands play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and water management. Some key benefits of Ramsar sites include:

Support for biodiversity: These wetlands are home to rare and endangered species, including migratory birds, fish, and amphibians.

Climate regulation: Wetlands store carbon, mitigating climate change and reducing flood risks.

Water filtration: They act as natural water filters, improving water quality by removing pollutants.

Sustainable livelihoods: Many local communities depend on wetlands for fishing, agriculture, and tourism.

What Is a Ramsar Site?

A Ramsar site is a wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. This convention promotes the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands worldwide.

Impact of Ramsar Recognition

The addition of these new Ramsar sites will:

Strengthen India’s wetland conservation strategy

Improve biodiversity protection and ecological restoration

Promote sustainable wetland management

Raise global awareness about the importance of wetlands

India’s Efforts in Wetland Conservation

India has taken several initiatives to preserve its wetlands, including:

National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017

Community-based wetland conservation projects

The government is actively working towards the restoration of degraded wetlands, reducing pollution, and promoting eco-tourism in Ramsar sites.

Conclusion

The latest inclusion of Sakkarakottai, Therthangal, Khecheopalri, and Udhwa Lake as Ramsar sites highlights India’s dedication to wetland conservation. With 89 Ramsar sites, India is setting an example in sustainable ecosystem management.

This World Wetlands Day 2025, let’s spread awareness and work together to protect these vital ecosystems for future generations.

FAQs

Q1: How many Ramsar sites are there in India in 2025? A: As of February 2025, India has 89 Ramsar sites.

Q2: Which Indian state has the most Ramsar sites? A: Tamil Nadu leads with 20 Ramsar sites.

Q3: Why is wetland conservation important? A: Wetlands support biodiversity, improve water quality, mitigate climate change, and provide livelihoods.