World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February. India currently has 26 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 689,131 hectares including including Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ramsar sites are wetlands considered to be of international importance. The Ramsar convention, an international body, forms the basis for identification of such wetlands. The international treaty came into effect in 1971 after identifying the first such wetland at the Ramsar city of Iran. The Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Ramsar Sites in India
- Wular Lake, Jammu& Kashmir
Freshwater Lake
18,900 ha
Largest freshwater lake of river Jhelum Basin. Provides flood protection to Kashmir Valley. - Hokera, Jammu&Kashmir
Freshwater marsh
1,375 ha – Haven for water birds - Surisnsar-Mansar Lakes, Jammu & Kashmir
Freshwater lake
350 ha
Wildlife sanctuary and a sacred site supporting several species of high conservation value - Tsomoriri, Jammu & Kashmir
Freshwater-saline lake
12,000 ha
Breeding ground for endangered black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) and bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) - Chandertal, Himachal Pradesh
Freshwater lake
49 ha
Natural habitat to rare flora and fauna species of alpine region - Pong Dam lake, Himachal Pradesh
Reservoir
15,662 ha
The Maharana Pratap Sagar created by Pong Dam supports highly diverse waterbird habitats - Kanjili, Punjab
Impounded stream
183 ha
Storage area for irrigation. - Harike Lake, Punjab
Reservoir
4,100 ha
It is the main source of water for Indira Gandhi that irrigates Rajasthan. - Ropar, Punjab
Freshwater lake
1,365 ha
Important bird watching and boating site. - Renuka, Himachal Pradesh
Freshwater Lake
20 ha
A natural wetland with freshwater springs - Sambhar Lake
Saline lake
24,000 ha
Second largest breeding ground for flamingos in India - Keoladeo National Park (KNP), Rajasthan
Freshwater swamps
2,873 ha
Known as the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, also a world heritage site. - Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)
River stretch
26,590 ha
Ganga river dolphin, crocodile and otters are some of the mammalian species found here. - Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
Freshwater lake
4,100 ha
Largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat with around 250 species of water birds - Bhoj Wetland, Madhya Pradesh
Reservvoir
3,201 ha
Main source of water for Bhopal City
16. Deepor Beel, Assam
Freshwater lake
4,000 ha
Supports high concentration of migratory waterbird
17. Loktak Lake, Manipur
Freshwater marsh
26,600 ha
The only known natural habitat for Manipur brow-antlered deer
18. Rudrasagar lake, Tripura
Freshwater lake
240 ha
Ideal habitat for riverine fish species
19. East Kolkata Wetlands, West Bengal
Sewage fed fish ponds
12,500 ha
These wetlands treat the city’s sewage and provides for fish and vegetables
20. Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Odisha
Mangrove swamps
65,000 ha
Home to endangered salt water crocodiles and Gahirmatha beach is the largest known Olive Ridley sea turtle nestling in the world.
21. Chilika, Odisha
Lagoon
1,16,500 ha
One of the only two lagoons with population of Irrawaddy dolphins. Its rich fishery resources sustains 0.2 million fishers
.
22. Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh
Freshwarer lake
90,100 ha
Acts as a flood balancing reservoir and was once known for its spot-billed pelicans sighting.
23. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
Coastal swamps and salt pans
38,500 ha
Supports high diversity of water bird
24. Vembanad-Kol, Kerala
Floodplain estuary complex
1,51,250 ha
Known for backwater tourism and rich source of live and sub-fossil clam deposits.
25. Ashtamudi, Kerala
Estuary
61,400 ha
A palm shaped estuary with eight branches, gateway to the backwaters of Kerala.
26. Sashthamkotta Lake, Kerala
Freshwater lake
373 ha
Source of drinking water for half a million people in Kollam City and its suburbs.
Additional Information can be found here.