India and the Ramsar Convention

India is a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, an international treaty aimed at conserving and wisely using wetlands and their resources. Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, controlling floods, and sustaining livelihoods. India’s participation in the Ramsar framework underscores its commitment to environmental conservation, sustainable development, and biodiversity protection at both national and global levels.

Background of the Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention, formally known as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, was adopted on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the Caspian Sea. It came into force in 1975 and remains the only global environmental treaty focused exclusively on wetlands. Its key objectives are:

• To promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
• To establish a network of internationally important wetland sites known as Ramsar Sites.
• To foster international cooperation in the management of transboundary wetlands and migratory waterbird habitats.

The convention defines wetlands broadly, encompassing marshes, peatlands, lakes, rivers, mangroves, coral reefs, and even human-made sites like reservoirs and rice paddies.

India’s Accession and Commitments

India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982, thereby joining the global effort to protect wetland ecosystems. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) serves as the nodal agency for implementing the convention in India.
As a contracting party, India undertakes the following obligations:

• Designation of Ramsar Sites: Identifying and designating wetlands of international importance based on ecological, botanical, zoological, or hydrological criteria.
• Wise Use of Wetlands: Integrating wetland conservation into national planning and decision-making processes.
• International Cooperation: Collaborating with neighbouring countries on shared wetland systems and migratory species.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Providing periodic reports on the status and management of designated Ramsar Sites.

Ramsar Sites in India

India’s network of Ramsar Sites has expanded significantly over the years, making it one of the countries with the largest number of designated wetlands. As of 2025, India has 80 Ramsar Sites covering over 1.3 million hectares across various ecological regions of the country.
These sites represent diverse wetland ecosystems, ranging from high-altitude lakes in the Himalayas to coastal lagoons and mangrove forests. Prominent examples include:

• Chilika Lake (Odisha): Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and India’s first Ramsar Site.
• Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and vital habitat for migratory birds.
• Loktak Lake (Manipur): Known for its floating vegetation, phumdis, and as a critical freshwater ecosystem.
• Sundarbans Wetland (West Bengal): The world’s largest mangrove forest and a biodiversity hotspot.
• Wular Lake (Jammu and Kashmir): One of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes.
• Pong Dam Lake (Himachal Pradesh): An artificial reservoir supporting significant avian diversity.
• Ashtamudi Wetland (Kerala): A Ramsar Site representing the estuarine system of southern India.

Recent additions include several sites from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha, reflecting a concerted national effort to expand wetland protection across different biogeographical regions.

National Framework for Wetland Conservation

To fulfil its Ramsar commitments, India has developed an extensive policy and legal framework for wetland management. Key instruments include:

• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: These rules provide for the identification, notification, and management of wetlands, while prohibiting activities that could adversely affect their ecological character.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA): Implemented by the MoEFCC, this scheme provides financial and technical assistance to states for conservation and management of identified wetlands.
• National Biodiversity Act, 2002: Reinforces the protection of wetland biodiversity and integrates conservation within broader environmental governance.
• State Wetland Authorities: Established under the 2017 Rules to ensure decentralised and context-specific management at the state level.

Through these mechanisms, India has mainstreamed wetland conservation into its national development agenda, aligning it with global commitments under conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Importance of Wetlands in India

India’s wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, providing multiple ecological and socio-economic benefits. Their importance includes:

• Hydrological Regulation: Wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing excess rainfall and recharging groundwater.
• Biodiversity Support: They serve as habitats for numerous species of plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and migratory birds.
• Climate Regulation: Wetlands sequester carbon and mitigate the impacts of climate change by stabilising local microclimates.
• Livelihood and Food Security: Millions of people depend on wetlands for fishing, agriculture, and other traditional livelihoods.
• Flood and Disaster Control: Coastal and inland wetlands act as natural barriers against floods, cyclones, and storm surges.

Challenges in Wetland Conservation

Despite India’s progress, several challenges continue to threaten wetland ecosystems:

• Encroachment and Urbanisation: Rapid expansion of cities and agriculture has led to the degradation and shrinkage of wetlands.
• Pollution: Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste have deteriorated water quality.
• Invasive Species: Non-native flora and fauna disrupt local ecological balance.
• Climate Change: Altered rainfall patterns, temperature shifts, and rising sea levels affect wetland hydrology and biodiversity.
• Institutional Gaps: Limited inter-departmental coordination and insufficient data on smaller wetlands hinder effective management.

Efforts are underway to address these issues through scientific monitoring, capacity building, and community involvement.

India’s Role in Global Wetland Governance

India actively participates in international forums and contributes to global wetland conservation efforts through:

• Membership in the Ramsar Standing Committee and other subsidiary bodies.
• Hosting events and workshops to share best practices in wetland management.
• Promoting regional cooperation in South and Southeast Asia for transboundary wetland conservation.
• Observing World Wetlands Day annually on 2 February to raise awareness about the importance of wetland ecosystems.

India’s wetland initiatives also support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).