98 Ramsar Sites in India | State-wise List With Map

As of February 2026, there are 98 Ramsar Sites in India. Tamil Nadu (20) boasts the highest number of Ramsar Sites.

What are Ramsar Sites?

• Ramsar sites are Wetlands of International Importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. This convention provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
• The mission of the Ramsar Convention is the “conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world“.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

• The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
• India ratified the convention in 1982 and actively designates Ramsar sites for sustainable use.
• It provides a framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources.
• A wetland must meet at least 1 of 9 criteria, such as supporting 20,000+ waterbirds or conserving biodiversity.

2 February is observed annually as World Wetlands Day.

The List of Ramsar Sites of India

Year = Year Designated; Area = Area in km²

Ramsar Site		State/UT	Year	Area
1	Kolleru Lake	Andhra Pradesh (1)	2002	901
2	Deepor Beel	Assam (1)	2002	40
3	Kanwar (Kabar) Taal	Bihar (6)	2020	26
4	Gogabeel Lake		2025	0.86
5	Udaipur Jheel		2025	3.1
6	Gokul Jalashay		2025	4.4
7	Nagi Bird Sanctuary		2023	2
8	Nakti Bird Sanctuary		2023	3.3
9	Nanda Lake	Goa (1)	2022	0.42
10	Khijadia WLS	Gujarat (5)	2021	6
11	Nalsarovar BS		2012	123
12	Thol Lake		2021	7
13	Wadhvana Wetland		2021	10
14	Chhari-Dhand		2026	227
15	Bhindawas WLS	Haryana (2)	2021	4
16	Sultanpur NP		2021	1.4
17	Chandertal Wetland	Himachal Pradesh (3)	2005	0.5
18	Pong Dam Lake		2002	157
19	Renuka Wetland		2005	0.2
20	Hokera Wetland	Jammu and Kashmir (5)	2005	14
21	Hygam Wetland CnR		2022	8
22	Shallbugh Wetland CnR		2022	17
23	Surinsar-Mansar Lakes		2005	4
24	Wular Lake		1990	189
25	Aghanashini Estuary	Karnataka (4)	2024	48
26	Ankasamudra Bird CnR		2024	1
27	Magadi Kere CnR		2024	0.5
28	Ranganathittu BS		2022	5
29	Asthamudi Wetland	Kerala (3)	2002	61
30	Sasthamkotta Lake		2002	4
31	Vembanad Kol (Longest Indian Lake)		2002	1513
32	Tso Kar Wetland Complex	Ladakh (2)	2020	96
33	Tsomoriri Lake		2002	120
34	Bhoj Wetlands	Madhya Pradesh (5)	2002	32
35	Sakhya Sagar		2022	2.5
36	Sirpur Wetland		2022	1.6
37	Tawa Reservoir		2024	200.5
38	Yashwant Sagar		2022	8
39	Lonar Lake	Maharashtra (3)	2020	4
40	Nandur Madhameshwar		2019	14
41	Thane Creek		2022	65
42	Loktak Lake	Manipur (1)	1990	266
43	Pala Wetland	Mizoram (1)	2021	19
44	Ansupa Lake	Odisha (6)	2022	2
45	Bhitarkanika Mangroves		2002	650
46	Chilka Lake		1981	1165
47	Hirakud Reservoir		2022	654
48	Satkosia Gorge		2021	982
49	Tampara Lake		2022	3
50	Beas CnR	Punjab (6)	2019	64
51	Harike Lake		1990	41
52	Kanjli Lake		2002	2
53	Keshopur-Miani CmR		2019	3.4
54	Nangal WLS		2019	1
55	Ropar Lake		2002	14
56	Keoladeo Ghana NP	Rajasthan (5)	1981	29
57	Sambhar Lake		1990	240
58	Siliserh Lake		2025	3.16
59	Menar Wetland Complex		2025	4.6
60	Khichan Wetland		2025	0.54
61	Chitrangudi BS	Tamil Nadu (20)	2022	2.6
62	Gulf of Mannar Marine BR		2022	527
63	Kanjirankulam BS		2022	1
64	Karaivetti BS		2024	4.5
65	Karikili BS		2022	0.6
66	Koonthankulam BS		2021	0.7
67	Longwood Shola RF		2024	1.2
68	Pallikaranai Marsh RF		2022	12
69	Pichavaram Mangrove		2022	14.8
70	Point Calimere WLS and BS		2002	385
71	Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex		2022	0.9
72	Udhayamarthandapuram BS		2022	0.4
73	Vaduvur BS		2022	1.1
74	Vedanthangal BS		2022	0.4
75	Vellode BS		2022	0.8
76	Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary		2024	2.3
77	Therthangal Bird Sanctuary		2024	0.3
78	Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary		2024	51.5
79	Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary		2024	1.2
80	Vembannur Wetland Complex		2022	0.2
81	Rudrasagar Lake	Tripura (1)	2005	2.4
82	Bakhira WLS	Uttar Pradesh (11)	2021	29
83	Haiderpur Wetland		2021	69
84	Nawabganj BS		2019	2.3
85	Parvati Agra BS		2019	7
86	Saman BS		2019	5.3
87	Samaspur BS		2019	8
88	Sandi BS		2019	3.1
89	Sarsai Nawar Jheel		2019	1.6
90	Sur Sarovar		2020	4.3
91	Upper Ganga River		2005	266
92	Patna Bird Sanctuary		2026	1.09
93	Asan CnR	Uttarakhand (1)	2020	4.4
94	East Kolkata Wetlands	West Bengal (2)	2002	125
95	Sunderbans Wetland (Largest RS)		2019	4230
96	Kopra Reservoir	Chhattisgarh (1)	2025	2.1
97	Khecheopalri Wetland	Sikkim (1)	2024	1.7
98	Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary	Jharkhand (1)	2024	9.3

State-wise Count and Area of Ramsar Sites

State/UT		No. of RS		State/UT		RS Area
1	Tamil Nadu	20		1	West Bengal	4,355.0
2	Uttar Pradesh	11		2	Odisha	3,456.3
3	Bihar	6		3	Kerala	1,577.6
4	Odisha	6		4	Tamil Nadu	1,065.2
5	Punjab	6		5	Andhra Pradesh	901.0
6	Jammu & Kashmir	5		6	Uttar Pradesh	506.4
7	Madhya Pradesh	5		7	Gujarat	445.4
8	Rajasthan	5		8	Rajasthan	289.5
9	Gujarat	5		9	Manipur	266.0
10	Karnataka	4		10	Madhya Pradesh	244.8
11	Himachal Pradesh	3		11	Jammu & Kashmir (UT)	231.0
12	Kerala	3		12	Ladakh (UT)	215.8
13	Maharashtra	3		13	Himachal Pradesh	157.3
14	Haryana	2		14	Punjab	125.0
15	Ladakh	2		15	Maharashtra	83.5
16	West Bengal	2		16	Karnataka	54.8
17	Andhra Pradesh	1		17	Bihar	40.1
18	Assam	1		18	Assam	40.0
19	Chhattisgarh	1		19	Mizoram	18.5
20	Goa	1		20	Jharkhand	9.3
21	Jharkhand	1		21	Haryana	5.5
22	Manipur	1		22	Uttarakhand	4.4
23	Mizoram	1		23	Tripura	2.4
24	Sikkim	1		24	Chhattisgarh	2.1
25	Tripura	1		25	Sikkim	1.7
26	Uttarakhand	1		26	Goa	0.4
98 Ramsar Sites (as of February 2026)				~13,608 km2

Largest, Smallest and Oldest Ramsar Sites in India

Ramsar Site		State	Area
Largest Ramsar Sites in India (Area is in km2)
1	Sundarban Wetland	West Bengal	4230
2	Vembanad-Kol Wetland	Kerala	1512.5
3	Chilika Lake	Odisha	1165
4	Satkosia Gorge	Odisha	981.97
5	Kolleru Lake	AP	901
Smallest Ramsar Sites in India
1	Renuka Lake	HP	0.2
2	Vembannur Wetland Complex	TN	0.2
3	Therthangal Bird Sanctuary	TN	0.29
4	Vedanthangal BS	TN	0.4
5	Nanda Lake	Goa	0.42
Oldest Ramsar Sites in India
1	Chilka Lake – Odisha – 1981
2	Keoladeo Ghana NP – Rajasthan – 1981
Newest Ramsar Sites in India
1	Patna Bird Sanctuary (2026) – Uttar Pradesh
2	Chhari-Dhand (2026) – Gujarat
3	Siliserh Lake (2025) – Rajasthan
4	Kopra Reservoir (Kopra Jalashay) (2025) – Chhattisgarh
5	Gogabil Lake (2025) – Bihar

The Description of Ramsar Sites of India

Andhra Pradesh (1)

Kolleru Lake

• It is a naturally eutrophic (nutrient-rich) lake between the Godavari and the Krishna River basins.
• Once a lagoon, it is now several kilometres inland due to coastal emergence and delta formation.
• Major Fauna: Grey Pelican (Spot-Billed Pelican; NT)
• Threats: Paddy cultivation, overexploitation, flooding in the monsoon season, etc.

Assam (1)

Deepor Beel

• It is a permanent freshwater lake in a former channel of the Brahmaputra, located near Guwahati
• Major Avifauna: Grey Pelican (Spot-billed Pelican; NT), Lesser Adjutant Stork (VU), Greater Adjutant Stork (NT), Baer’s Pochard (CR).
• Threats: Overfishing, hunting, pollution from pesticides, and infestation by water hyacinth.

Bihar (6)

Gogabeel Lake

• It is a permanent oxbow lake situated between the Ganga and Mahananda rivers; Bihar’s first notified Community Reserve.
• Major Avifauna: Common Pochard (VU), Black-bellied Tern (EN), Lesser Adjutant Stork, and the Oriental Darter.
• Significance: Acts as a vital wintering ground for the Central Asian Flyway; managed and conserved by the local community.

Gokul Reservoir

• It is a horseshoe-shaped oxbow lake located on the southern bank of the River Ganga.
• Major Avifauna: Hosts over 50 bird species, including various storks, kingfishers, and waterfowl.

Kanwar Taal or Kabar Taal Lake

• It lies in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Formed by the meandering of the Gandak River.
• Major Avifauna: Red-Headed Vulture (CR), White-Rumped Vulture (CR), Indian Vulture (CR) – and two waterbirds, the Baer’s Pochard (CR) and Sociable Lapwing (CR).

Nagi Bird Sanctuary

• It is a man-made reservoir created by the damming of the Nagi River; it features clear water and aquatic vegetation.
• Major Avifauna: Baer’s Pochard (CR), Steppe Eagle (EN), and one of the largest congregations of Bar-headed Goose on the Indo-Gangetic plain.
• Identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA); it also supports over 30 species of fish.

Nakti Bird Sanctuary

• It is a man-made wetland developed primarily for irrigation through the construction of the Nakti Dam.
• Major Avifauna: Supports over 150 bird species, notably hosting one of the largest wintering gatherings of Red-crested Pochard in the region.
• Identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International
  • Provides habitat for the Indian Elephant (EN) and the vulnerable native catfish Wallago attu.

Udaipur Jheel

• A semi-natural oxbow lake within the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary, formed by the Gandaki River.
• Major Avifauna: Common Pochard (VU), Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, and Eurasian Wigeon.
• Significance: Home to over 280 plant species, including the perennial herb Alysicarpus roxburghianus, which is endemic to India.

Goa (1)

Nanda Lake

• It is an intermittent freshwater marsh adjacent to one of the tributaries of the Zuari River.

Gujarat (5)

Chhari-Dhand

• It is situated on the edge of the arid Banni Grasslands near the Rann of Kutch; State’s first Conservation Reserve.
• It is a seasonal desert wetland that fills with water only during the monsoon via north-flowing rivers and hill runoff.
• Significance: It provides critical habitat for the Sociable Lapwing and Common Pochard. Major wintering ground for the Common Crane and the Greater Flamingo.
• Major Fauna: This ecosystem supports unique desert mammals such as the Chinkara, Caracal, Desert Cat, and Indian Wolf.

Khijadia WLS

• It is a freshwater wetland located in Jamnagar district near the Gulf of Kutch. It was formed after a bund (dike) was created to protect farmland from saltwater ingress.
• Major Species: Pallas’s Fish-Eagle (EN), Indian Skimmer (EN), Indian Bdellium-Tree (CR).

Nalsarovar BS

• It is the largest natural freshwater lake (a relict sea) in the Thar Desert. The wetland is a lifeline for a satellite population of the endangered Indian Wild Ass (NT).
• Major Avifauna: Sociable Lapwing (CR), Sarus Crane (VU).

Thol Lake

• It is a man-made reservoir essential during the dry seasons for Blackbucks (LC).
• Major Avifauna: White-Rumped Vulture (CR), Sociable Lapwing (CR)

Wadhvana Wetland

• This man-made reservoir is in a semi-arid agricultural landscape.
• Major Avifauna: Pallas’s Fish-Eagle (EN), Sarus Crane (VU), Common Pochard (VU)

Haryana (2)

Bhindawas WLS

• It is a human-made freshwater wetland. It shares its border with Khaparwas WLS (Haryana). It is a crucial link for birds moving between the Himalayas and Central India.
• Major Avifauna: Egyptian Vultures (EN), Pallas’s Fish-Eagle (EN)

Sultanpur NP

• It is located just 15km away from Delhi. The Sultanpur Jeel inside the park is an IBA.
• Major Avifauna: Sociable Lapwing (CR), Egyptian Vultures (EN), Pallas’s Fish-Eagle (EN), Saker Falcon (EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN).

Himachal Pradesh (3)

Chandra Taal

• It is a high-altitude lake on the Chandra valley, flowing to the Chandra River of the Western Himalayas near the Kunzum pass, joining the Himalayan and Pir Panjal ranges.
• Major Fauna: Snow Leopard (VU), Himalayan Ibex (NT), Blue Sheep (Bharal; LC).
• Threats: Overgrazing by the nomadic herdsmen.

Pong Dam Lake

• It is a reservoir on the Beas River. It is also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar. It lies on the Trans-Himalayan Flyway for migratory waterfowl.
• It hosts one of the largest congregations of Bar-headed Goose in the world.

Renuka Lake

• It is a natural wetland with freshwater springs and inland subterranean karst formations.
• The lake is named after the mother of the Hindu sage Parshuram.

Jammu and Kashmir (5)

Hokera Wetland

• It is only 10 km from Srinagar. It is a natural wetland contiguous to the Jhelum basin.
• Major Avifauna: White-Eyed (Ferruginous) Pochard (NT).

Hygam Wetland CnR (IBA)

• It lies downstream of Wular Lake in the Baramulla district.
• Threats: High rate of siltation.

Shallbugh Wetland CnR

• It is located west of Anchar Lake near Hokera Wetland in the Srinagar district.
• It plays a major role in the natural control, amelioration, or prevention of flooding.
• Major Avifauna: Steppe Eagle (EN), Pallas’s Fish-Eagle (EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN)

Surinsar-Mansar Lakes

• It is a freshwater composite lake in semi-arid Punjab Plains, adjoining the Jhelum Basin.
• It has many temples around owing to its mythical origin from the Mahabharata period.
• Major Fauna: Indian Softshell Turtle and Indian Flapshell Turtle.

Wular Lake

• It is the largest freshwater lake in India. It is fed by the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley.

Karnataka (4)

Aghanashini Estuary

• The Site is an estuary where the Aghanashini River flows into the Arabian Sea in Karnataka.
• It provides habitats to fish, birds and mangroves and mangrove-associated species.
• Major Fauna and Avifauna: Halavi Guitarfish (CR), Lesser Adjutant (NT), Indian River Tern (VU), Black-Headed Ibis (NT).
• It supports activities such as fishing, agriculture, shrimp aquaculture, bivalve shell mining, and salt production. Here, farmers cultivate “kagga,” a salt-tolerant rice, using traditional farming methods.

Ankasamudra Bird CnR

• The Site is a human-made wetland built for storing monsoon run-off water coming from the Tungabhadra River and providing irrigation to surrounding drought-risk areas.
• Gum Arabic trees growing in the lake offer nesting, roosting, and breeding habitats for large waterbirds.
• Major Fauna: Indian Cormorant (LC), Painted Stork (LC), Glossy Ibis (LC).
• The lake hosts nine endemic fish species, including the globally endangered Zebra Loach (EN), Aruli Barb (EN), and Nukta (EN).
• Threats: Excessive growth of invasive alligator weed, Prosopis juliflora, and African catfish.

Magadi Kere CnR (IBA)

• It is a human-made wetland that was primarily constructed to store monsoon rainwater.
• Over the years after construction, the wetland’s water became increasingly alkaline, unsuitable for irrigation.
• Major Avifauna: Northern Shoveler (LC), Garganey (LC), and Common Pochard (VU).
• Major Fauna: Indian Pangolin
• It is one of the largest wintering grounds for Bar-Headed Goose (LC) in southern India.

Ranganathituu BS (IBA)

• It is a part of the Kaveri River in Mandya district.
• Major Fauna: Mugger Crocodile (VU), Smooth-Coated Otter (VU), Hump-Backed Mahseer (CR).
• Major Avifauna: Painted Stork (LC), Grey Pelican (VU), Black-Headed Ibis (NT).

Kerala (3)

Ashtamudi Wetland

• It is a natural backwater in the Kollam district. National Waterway 3 passes through it.
• It is the second-largest estuarine ecosystem in Kerala. It forms an estuary with the sea at Neendakara (a famous fishing harbour in Kerala). Kallada and Pallichal Rivers drain into it.

Sasthamkotta Lake

• It is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.
• The Kallada River had a unique replenishing system through a bar of paddy fields. The replenishing mechanism is now being destroyed. The water contains no common salts and supports no water plants.
• A larva called cavaborus eliminates bacteria in water, thus contributing to its exceptional purity.

Vembanad-Kol Wetland

• It is the largest brackish lake of Kerala, spanning across Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts.
• It is the second-largest Ramsar Site in India after Sundarbans. It is also the longest lake in India.
• The Kuttanad region here is famous for Below Sea Level Farming, which has been recognised by FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).

Ladakh (2)

Tso Kar

• It is a high-altitude wetland complex and IBA consisting of two waterbodies:
  1. Tso Kar (4,500 m above sea level) itself, a hypersaline lake to the north, &
  2. Startsapuk Tso, a freshwater lake to the south.
• It is called Tso Kar, meaning white lake, because of the white salt efflorescence found on the margins due to the evaporation of highly saline water.
• It is the most important breeding area of the Black-Necked Cranes (NT) in India.
• Major Fauna: Saker Falcon (EN), Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole; EN), Snow Leopard (VU).

Tsomoriri

• It is a freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595 m above sea level. With no outflow, evaporation in the arid steppe conditions causes varying levels of salinity.
• The 400-year-old Korzok monastery near the lake attracts many tourists. The barley fields at Korzok have been described as the highest cultivated land in the world.
• Tsomoriri is the only breeding ground outside of China for Black-Necked Cranes (NT) and the only breeding ground for Bar-Headed Geese (LC) in India.
• Great Tibetan Sheep (Argali; NT) and Tibetan Wild Ass (Kiang; LC) are endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, of which the Changthang Plateau of India is the westernmost part.

Madhya Pradesh (5)

Bhoj Wetland

• It is a human-made reservoir that consists of two lakes located in the city of Bhopal.
• Major Avifauna: Sarus Crane (VU)

Sakhya Sagar

• It is a human-made reservoir located near Madhav NP.
• Major Fauna: Mugger (VU), Smooth-Coated Otter (VU), Hump-Backed Mahseer (CR)

Sirpur Wetland

• It is a human-made wetland commonly named Pakshi Vihar in Indore.
• Major Avifauna: Common Pochard (VU), Egyptian Vulture (EN), Indian River Tern (VU)

Tawa Reservoir

• It is a human-made wetland created primarily for irrigation through the construction of the Tawa Dam (completed in 1978).
• It is located within the Satpura TR in the Narmadapuram District, at the confluence of the Tawa and Denwa rivers.
• Major Fauna: Supports over 280 migratory birds, 57 fish species (including the Tor mahseer or “state fish”), and mammals such as the Indian giant squirrel and Spotted deer.

Yashwant Sagar

• An IBA in the Indore region (Malwa region).

Maharashtra (3)

Lonar Lake

• It is an endorheic (closed basin) crater lake formed by a meteorite impact. World’s only hyper-velocity impact crater in basaltic rock. It is high in salinity and alkalinity due to the lack of an outflow.
• Specialised micro-organisms such as anaerobes, cyanobacteria and phytoplankton survive in this harsh chemical environment. Recently, the colour of Lonar Lake water turned pink due to a high concentration of salt-loving haloarchaea.

Nandur Madhameshwar

• Construction of the Nandur Madhameshwar Weir at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadwa Rivers helped create this wetland.
• The site hosts leopards and Indian Sandalwood (VU).
• Major Fauna: Deolali Minnow Fish (CR), Indian Vulture (CR), White-Rumped Vulture (CR)

Thane Creek (Flamingo Sanctuary and IBA)

• It is one of the largest creeks in Asia. It is fringed by mangroves on both banks. It falls under the Marine Ecoregions of the World (MEOW) but is fed by numerous freshwater sources, making the water brackish. Ulhas River is the largest source of freshwater.

The MEOW biogeographic classification system divides the coastal, nearshore, and shelf areas of the world into ecoregions. Each ecoregion is ecologically distinct from the others.

Manipur (1)

Loktak Lake

• It is the largest freshwater lake in the north-eastern region. Keibul Lamjao, the only floating national park in the world, floats over it.
• Thick, floating mats of weeds covered with soil (phumdis) are a characteristic feature.
• It is the only place in the world where Sangai (Brow-antlered Deer, ‘dancing deer’) is found.
• It was included on the Montreux Record in 1993 because of ecological problems such as deforestation in the catchment area, infestation of water hyacinth, and pollution.

Mizoram (1)

Pala Wetland

• Pala Tipo/Pala Lake (a component of Palak WLS) is a natural lake in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
• Major Fauna: Sambar (VU), Barking Deer (Muntjac; LC), Western Hoolock Gibbon (EN).

Odisha (6)

Ansupa Lake

• It is a freshwater oxbow lake formed by the Mahanadi River. It is the largest freshwater lake in Odisha.
• Major Fauna: Indian Skimmer (EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN), Wagur (EN), Indian River Tern (VU), Helicopter Catfish (Wallago attu; VU).

Bhitarkanika Mangroves

• It is part of the Bhitarkanika WLS. The core area was declared Bhitarkanika NP.
• Gahirmatha Marine WLS is adjacent to the Bhitarkanika WLS.
• It is famous for the Olive Ridley Turtle (VU) and the Saltwater Crocodile (LC)

Chilika Lake

• In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Nalbana BS is the core area of Chilika Lake.
• It is located at the mouth of the Daya River. It is a brackish water lagoon separated from the Bay of Bengal by a long sandy ridge. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India.
• Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, and other parts of Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas come here.
• Chilka has the only population of the Irrawaddy dolphin (EN – flagship species of the lake) in India.
• It was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 due to siltation and removed from the Record in 2002 following rehabilitation efforts of the Chilika Development Authority.

Hirakud Reservoir

• Hirakud Reservoir is the largest earthen dam in Odisha.
• It provides important hydrological services by moderating floods in the Mahanadi delta.

Satkosia Gorge

• It is a gorge over the Mahanadi. It is a mosaic of rivers, marshes and evergreen forests at the meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats biogeographic regions.
• Major Fauna: Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (CR), Indian Narrow-Headed Softshell Turtle (EN), Tiger (EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN).

Tampara Lake

• The use of explosives during a battle in the Ganjam district between the British East India Company and French colonists in 1766 created this large depression.
• The lake is now connected to the Rushikulya River and helps in flood control.

Punjab (6)

Beas Conservation Reserve

• It is a 185 km stretch of the Beas River meandering down from the Himalayan foothills. The stretch is dotted with islands, sand bars and braided channels.
• It hosts the only known population in India of the Indus River dolphin (EN).
• A programme was initiated to reintroduce the Gharial (CR).
• Major Fauna: Masheer/Himalayan Mahseer/Golden Mahseer (EN), Hog Deer (EN), Smooth-Coated Otter (VU).

[UPSC 2022] Which of the following is not a bird? Golden Mahseer Indian Nightjar Spoonbill White Ibis

Harike Wetland

• It is a shallow water reservoir at the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers.

Kanjli Wetland

• It is associated with the first Sikh guru, Shri Guru Nanak.

Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve

• The reserve is a mosaic of natural marshes, aquaculture ponds and agricultural wetlands.
• Major Fauna: Common Pochard (VU), Spotted Pond Turtle (EN).

Nangal WLS

• It occupies a human-made reservoir of the Bhakra-Nangal Project in the Shiwalik foothills.
• The site is of historical importance as the Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers formalised the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” there in 1954.
• Major Fauna: Indian Pangolin (EN), Leopard (VU), Egyptian Vulture (EN)

Ropar Wetland

• It is formed by the construction of a barrage for the diversion of water from the Sutlej River.
• Major Fauna: Smooth Indian Otter (VU), Hog Deer (EN), Sambar, Indian Pangolin (EN).

Rajasthan (5)

Keoladeo National Park

• It is a complex of ten artificial seasonal marshes. Vegetation is scrub and open grassland.
• The invasive growth of the grass Paspalum distichum has reduced its suitability for certain waterbird species, notably the Siberian Crane (CR).
• Placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 due to water shortage and unbalanced grazing.

Khichan Wetland

• Located in the northern Thar Desert, it consists of two main water bodies: Ratri Nadi and Vijaysagar Talab.
• It is world-renowned as a wintering ground for the Demoiselle Crane (LC), locally known as Kuranja, with thousands migrating here annually.
• Major Avifauna: Indian Vulture (CR), White-rumped Vulture (CR), and Steppe Eagle (EN).

Menar Wetland Complex

• Known as Rajasthan’s “Bird Village,” it is a freshwater monsoon wetland complex formed by three ponds (Braham, Dhand, and Kheroda Talab).
• It is a premier example of community-led conservation, where local villagers (Pakshi Mitras) have banned fishing and hunting to protect the habitat.
• Major Avifauna: White-rumped Vulture (CR), Long-billed Vulture (CR), and the Sarus Crane (VU), which breeds here.

Sambhar Lake

• It is India’s largest inland saltwater lake. It is a key wintering area for Flamingos (LC).

Siliserh Lake

• It is a human-made freshwater lake constructed in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh, located in the Alwar district.
• Situated within the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve, it serves as a critical water source in a semi-arid landscape.
• Major Fauna: Supports the Tiger (EN), Black Stork (LC) (over 1% of its biogeographic population), and the River Tern (VU).

Tamil Nadu (20)

Chitrangudi BS

• It is an IBA located adjacent to Kanjirankulam BS in Ramanathapuram district.
• Major Avifauna: Grey Pelican (VU), Painted Stork (LC), Little Egret (LC), Grey Heron (LC)

Gulf of Mannar Marine BR

• This is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South Asia.
• The local communities are mainly Marakeyars, with fishing as their main livelihood.
• Major Fauna: Dugong (VU), Hawksbill Turtle (CR), Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (VU), Green Sea Turtle (EN).

Kanjirankulam BS

• Invasive Prosopis trees have affected the growth of the indigenous babul populations.
• Major Avifauna: Painted Stork (LC), Oriental Darter (NT), Oriental White (Black-Headed) Ibis (NT).

Karaivetti BS

• It is one of the largest inland freshwater lakes in Tamil Nadu.
• It provides an important stopover and foraging ground for birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway.
• Gum Arabic trees offer nesting, roosting, and breeding habitats for birds.
• Major Avifauna: Spotted Eagle (VU), Tawny Eagle (VU), and Indian Darter (NT).
• When the water level starts receding after January, larger birds such as the Painted Stork (LC) flock to the site.
• It also provides breeding habitat for the Indian Flap-Shelled Turtle (VU).
• During the driest period (July to October), water from Mettur Dam maintains the water level of the site.
• Threats: Human-wildlife conflict (particularly concerning Bonnet Macaque (VU)).

Karikili BS

• It is situated in the Kanchipuram district. Karikili, along with Vedanthangal BS, are IBAs.
• Major Avifauna: Oriental Darter (NT), Spot-billed Pelican (NT).

Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary

• It is the second-largest brackish water lake in South India, located on the Coromandel Coast (Villupuram district).
• It is a critical stopover for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
• Major Avifauna: Greater Flamingo (LC), Black-headed Ibis (NT), Spot-billed Pelican (NT), and various species of ducks like the Northern Pintail.

Koonthankulam BS (IBA)

• It is a human-made wetland maintained by the local community. It is designated as IBA.

Longwood Shola RF

• It is adjacent to the eastern slopes of the Nilgiri mountain range.
• It features intermittent freshwater marshes and streams nested within a “shola” (a tropical montane forest of southern India, which is usually found in patches separated by grasslands).
• It has very high species endemism, supporting species endemic to the Western Ghats region.
• Noteworthy endemic and threatened plant species include Bourne’s Beak-Rush, Psychotria Nilgiriensis, and Wight’s Cinnamon.
• Major Avifauna: Black-Chinned Nilgiri Laughing Thrush (EN), Nilgiri Blue Robin (EN), and Nilgiri wood-pigeon (VU).
• Threats: Encroachment, invasive species, and deforestation.

Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary

• Also known as the “Sarkar Periyapalayam Reservoir,“ this human-made tank in Tiruppur was originally restored by King Nanjarayan over 400 years ago.
• It is fed by the Nallar River and serves as a vital groundwater recharge source for the textile hub of Tiruppur.
• Major Avifauna: Bar-headed Goose (LC), Northern Shoveler (LC), Spot-billed Pelican (NT), and the Indian Flapshell Turtle (VU).

Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest

• It is one of the few natural coastal aquatic habitats. The marshland is located along the Coromandel Coast south of the Adyar Estuary, serving as an aquatic buffer of the flood-prone Chennai.

Pichavaram Mangrove

• It is a large mangrove forest located between the estuaries of the Vellar and Coleroon Rivers.
• It is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandbar.
• The mangroves are revered due to the significant spiritual value associated with Excoecaria agallocha, a mangrove with toxic properties commonly known as “Tillai“.
• Major Fauna: Great White-Bellied Heron (CR), Spoon-Billed Sandpiper (CR), Spotted Greenshank (EN), Olive Ridley Turtle (VU).

Point Calimere WLS and BS

• It is one of the last remnants of dry evergreen forests in India (a unique kind of forest in Tamil Nadu).
• Major Avifauna: Spoon-Billed Sandpiper (CR), Grey Pelican (Spot-billed pelican; NT)
• Threats: Prosopis chilensis (Chilean mesquite – known as “the devil with roots” because of extremely long roots to seek water from far underground).

Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary

• A man-made irrigation tank in Ramanathapuram district that receives water from the tributaries of the Vaigai River.
• It serves as a major feeding and breeding ground for colonial nesting birds during the monsoon.
• Major Avifauna: Egyptian Vulture (EN), Indian Spotted Eagle (VU), Oriental Darter (NT), and Pallid Harrier (NT).

Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex

• It is declared an IBA.It lies at the southern tip of the Central Asian flyway of migratory birds.
• It is a man-made, inland Tank and is perennial.

Therthangal Bird Sanctuary

• A small but ecologically rich mosaic wetland in Ramanathapuram, fed by the Vaigai and Gundar rivers.
• Like Sakkarakottai, it is a seasonal “tank” where excess water is utilised for local agriculture once the birds finish breeding.
• Major Avifauna: Supports over 2,000 individuals, including Spot-billed Pelican (NT) and Black-headed Ibis (NT).
• Key Breeding Species: Painted Stork (LC), Asian Openbill (LC), and Black-crowned Night Heron (LC).

Udhayamarthandapuram BS

• It stores floodwaters during monsoon overflows and maintains surface water flow during drier periods.

Vaduvur BS

• It is a large human-made irrigation tank and shelter for migratory birds.

Vedanthangal BS

• This freshwater wetland, an IBA, is a people-protected waterbird area. People have benefited from the manure-rich guano water from the lake, which increases the agricultural yield multifold.
• Guano is a bird’s excretory waste rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.

Vellode BS

• Major Avifauna: Indian River Tern (VU), Oriental Darter (NT), Painted Stork (LC)

Vembannur Wetland Complex

• It is a human-made inland tank, and an IBA site believed to have been constructed in the regime of Pandyan king Veeranarayana.
• Major Avifauna: Indian River Tern (VU), Spotted Greenshank (EN), Grey Pelican (Spot-billed pelican; NT).

Tripura (1)

Rudrasagar Lake

• It is a reservoir fed by three perennial streams discharging to the Gomti River.
• It is an ideal habitat for the Three-Striped Roof Turtle (CR).
• It is a buzzing tourist destination during the festival of Vijaya Dashami.

Uttar Pradesh (11)

Bakhira WLS

• This freshwater marsh is situated near Gorakhpur.
• Major Avifauna: Egyptian Vultures (EN), Greater Spotted Eagle (VU), Common Pochard (VU), Swamp Francolin (VU).

Haiderpur Wetland

• It is a wetland in Hastinapur WLS formed by the construction of the Madhya Ganga Barrage.
• Major Fauna: Gharial (CR), Golden Mahseer (EN), Hog Deer (EN), Swamp Deer (VU).

Nawabganj BS

• It is a shallow marshland near Lucknow. It was renamed Chandra Shekhar Azad BS.
• Major Avifauna: Egyptian Vulture (EN), Pallas’s Fish Eagle (EN), Lesser Adjutant (VU).

Parvati Arga BS

• It is a permanent freshwater environment consisting of two oxbow lakes formed by the Saryu River.
• Major Avifauna: Red-Headed Vulture (CR), White-Rumped Vulture (CR), and Indian Vulture (CR).

Patna Bird Sanctuary

• Located in the Jalesar tehsil of Etah district; smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh.
• It serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds travelling along the Central Asian Flyway.
• Major Avifauna: Northern Pintail
• It serves as a Sarus Kem (congregation zone) for resident Sarus Cranes (Antigone antigone) in the dry summer months.

Saman BS

• It is a seasonal oxbow lake on the Ganges floodplain.
• Major Avifauna: Sarus Crane (VU), Greater Spotted Eagle (VU)

Samaspur BS

• It is a perennial marsh typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
• Major Avifauna: Egyptian Vulture (EN), Pallas’s Fish Eagle (EN).

Sandi BS

• Major Avifauna: Sarus Crane (VU)

Sarsai Nawar Jheel (IBA)

• It is a marsh. Its name is derived from the large non-migratory Sarus Crane (VU).
• The nearby Hajari Mahadev temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims each year.
• Major Avifauna: White-Rumped Vulture (CR)

Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake)

• It was created to supply water to the city of Agra.
• Major Avifauna: Greater Spotted Eagle (VU), Catfish (Wallago attu – VU)

Upper Ganga River

• It stretches from Brijghat to Narora.
• Major Fauna: Ganges River Dolphin (EN), Gharial (Fish-Eating Crocodile – CR)

Uttarakhand (1)

Asan Barrage (Asan CnR)

• It is formed by the damming of the Asan River near its confluence with the Yamuna River in Dehradun.
• Major Avifauna: Red-Headed Vulture (Indian Black Vulture – CR), White-Rumped Vulture (CR), Baer’s Pochard (CR)

West Bengal (2)

East Kolkata Wetlands

• It is a multiple-use wetland that serves Kolkata. It feeds one of the world’s largest wastewater-fed aquaculture.

Sundarban Wetland

• It is the largest Ramsar Site in India and is located within the largest mangrove forest. The Indian Sundarbans constitutes over 60% of the country’s total mangrove forest area and includes 90% of Indian mangrove species.
• Endangered Fauna: Northern River Terrapin (CR), Irrawaddy Dolphin (EN), Fishing Cat (VU).

Chhattisgarh (1)

Kopra Reservoir (Kopra Jalashay)

• It is a human-made freshwater reservoir located in the Bilaspur district, originally built for irrigation but now functioning as a natural wetland ecosystem.
• It serves as a vital wintering stopover for migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway.
• Major Avifauna: Egyptian Vulture (EN), Common Pochard (VU), River Tern (NT), and Woolly-necked Stork (NT).

Sikkim (1)

Khecheopalri Wetland

• It is a high-altitude temperate lake located in the Gyalshing district, part of the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit known as “Demazong” (Hidden Valley of Rice).
• The lake is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus and is traditionally known as the “wish-fulfilling lake”.
• Major Avifauna: Baer’s Pochard (CR), Black-necked Grebe (LC), and the Common Merganser.
• Major Fauna: Red Panda (EN) and Himalayan Black Bear (VU).

Jharkhand (1)

Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary

• It is a natural Ganga backwater wetland in the Sahibganj district, comprised of two interconnected oxbow lakes: Berhale (shallow) and Pataura (deeper).
• It is the only bird sanctuary in Jharkhand and serves as a critical refuge for birds migrating from Siberia and Europe.
• Major Avifauna: Pallas’s Fish Eagle (EN), Greater Spotted Eagle (VU), Lesser Adjutant Stork (VU), and the Oriental Darter (NT).