RAMSAR CONVENTION- IMPORTANCE, THREATS & CONSERVATION CHALLANGES
About Ramsar convention (Quick Facts)
- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Established to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet.
- It is considered as waterfowl habitats of international importance.
- It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in February 2, 1971.
- World wetland day- February 2.
- The convention was co-founded by Eskandar Firouz (former environment minister of Iran), Luc Hoffmann at research station in the Camargue (France), and Geoffrey Matthews of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in the late 1960s.
- Currently 172 countries and 2,500+ sites worldwide.
- India joined on February 1, 1982, and currently has 99 Ramsar sites across 26 states and UTs, with Tamil Nadu having the highest number (20).
International organization partners
The Ramsar Convention works with six other organizations known as international organization partners. These organizations support the convention by providing technical advice, implementing field studies, and providing financial support. These six organizations are-
- Birdlife International
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
- Wetlands International
- WWF International
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)
Ecological Importance
- India lies along the Central Asian Flyway, a major migratory bird route.
- Wetlands like Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan), Loktak Lake (Manipur), and Vembanad-Kol (Kerala) serve as critical stopovers.
- Wetlands provide flood control, groundwater recharge, biodiversity habitats, and livelihoods for millions.
Threats to Ramsar Sites
Major threats to Ramsar sites especially in India are:
- Pollution
- Industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff (fertilizers, pesticides).
- Example: East Kolkata Wetlands face heavy urban waste inflow.
- Encroachment & Land-use Change
- Urban expansion, illegal construction, and conversion of wetlands into farmland or housing.
- Example: Najafgarh Jheel (Delhi) shrinking due to real estate pressure.
- Over-extraction of Resources
- Excessive fishing, groundwater withdrawal, sand mining.
- Example: Vembanad-Kol (Kerala) affected by sand mining and reclamation.
- Invasive Species
- Water hyacinth, Prosopis juliflora, and other invasives choking native biodiversity.
- Example: Loktak Lake (Manipur) threatened by phumdi degradation and invasives.
- Climate Change
- Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events.
- Example: Sundarbans (West Bengal) vulnerable to cyclones and salinity intrusion.
- Tourism Pressure
- Unregulated tourism, boating, and littering disturb habitats.
- Example: Chilika Lake (Odisha) faces seasonal tourist influx.
- Hydrological Alterations
- Dams, barrages, and diversion of rivers affecting water flow.
- Example: Pong Dam Lake (Himachal Pradesh) altered migratory bird patterns.
- Poaching & Hunting
- Illegal hunting of waterfowl and exploitation of wetland fauna.
- Example: Keoladeo Ghana NP (Rajasthan) historically impacted by bird hunting.
Conservation challenge
Balancing livelihood needs with ecological protection is one of the toughest conservation challenges for Ramsar sites in India.
- Wetlands as livelihood hubs: Millions depend on wetlands for fishing, farming, grazing, tourism, and water supply. For example, Loktak Lake (Manipur) supports local communities through phumdi-based agriculture and fishing.
- Conflict of interests: Overuse of resources (like overfishing, sand mining, or encroachment) directly harms wetland ecology, while strict protection measures can restrict local communities’ access to their traditional livelihoods.
- Policy challenge: Conservation must integrate community participation—through eco-tourism, regulated fishing, sustainable agriculture, and alternative income sources—so that protection doesn’t come at the cost of people’s survival.
- Case study: Chilika Lake (Odisha) shows how community-based management of fishing rights and eco-tourism can balance biodiversity conservation with local economic needs.
List of Ramsar sites in India
The Ramsar Convention is the only global treaty focused on wetlands, and India, with 99 Ramsar sites, plays a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and supporting migratory birds.
- India joined on February 1, 1982, and currently has 99 Ramsar sites across 26 states and UTs, with Tamil Nadu having the highest number (20) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10), Jammu & Kashmir (6), Punjab (6), Odisha (6).
- Key Indian sites include Chilika Lake (Odisha), Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), Loktak Lake (Manipur), and Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Kerala).
- First Indian Ramsar Sites (1981) were Chilika Lake (Odisha) – Asia’s largest brackish lagoon, Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan) – UNESCO-listed bird sanctuary
| State/UT | Number of Sites | Major Ramsar Sites |
| Tamil Nadu | 20 | Point Calimere, Vedanthangal, Karikili, Pallikaranai Marsh, Vaduvur |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Upper Ganga River, Saman, Nawabganj, Haiderpur, Parvati-Kunda |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 6 | Wular Lake, Dal Lake, Hokera, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes |
| Punjab | 6 | Harike, Kanjli, Ropar, Beas Conservation Reserve |
| Odisha | 6 | Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika, Hirakud Reservoir |
| Madhya Pradesh | 4 | Bhoj Wetland, Yashwant Sagar, Sirpur Lake |
| Maharashtra | 4 | Lonar Lake, Nandur Madhmeshwar |
| Kerala | 3 | Vembanad-Kol, Ashtamudi Lake, Sasthamkotta Lake |
| Rajasthan | 2 | Keoladeo Ghana NP, Sambhar Lake |
| Manipur | 2 | Loktak Lake, Pumlen Lake |
| West Bengal | 2 | East Kolkata Wetlands, Sunderbans |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Pong Dam Lake, Renuka Wetland, Chandertal |
| Gujarat | 2 | Nalsarovar, Thol Lake |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2 | Kolleru Lake, Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary |
| Assam | 2 | Deepor Beel, Rudrasagar Lake |
| Tripura | 1 | Rudrasagar Lake |
| Nagaland | 1 | Doyang Reservoir |
| Mizoram | 2 | Palak Lake, Tamdil Lake |
| Bihar | 4 | Kanwar Lake, Nagi, Nakti, Gogabeel |
| Chhattisgarh | 2 | Sondur Reservoir, Hasdeo Bango |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Sunderban Wetlands (part) |
| Delhi | 1 | Najafgarh Jheel |
| Goa | 1 | Nanda Lake |
| Meghalaya | 1 | Umiam Lake |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 1 | Pashighat Wetland |
| Ladakh | 2 | Tso Moriri, Tso Kar |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Ramsar Convention?
The Ramsar Convention is a global treaty signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, to protect wetlands and promote their “wise use.”
What are the threats to Ramsar sites?
These are mainly Pollution, encroachment, overuse, invasives, and climate change.
What are the conservation challenges?
Balancing livelihood needs with ecological protection.
How many total Ramsar Sites there in India?
99
Which Ramsar site is considered Largest Site?
Sundarbans (West Bengal)
Which Ramsar site is considered Smallest Site?
Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh)
First India Ramsar Sites (1981) are?
Chilika Lake (Odisha) & Keoladeo Ghana NP (Rajasthan)
State with Maximum Ramsar Sites in India?
Tamil Nadu (20)
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INDIA STATE OF FOREST REPORT 2021