India is home to a wide variety and a myriad number of wetlands. The wide range of precipitation patterns, physiography, geomorphology and climate have facilitated for this rich diversity. Each of these wetlands is an incomparable ecosystem with immense values. Some of these wetlands which are of particular conservation value can be termed Wetlands of International Importance. These are significant in their capacity to become model sites for the nation’s commitment to conservation and management under internationally accepted framework.

India became a party to the ‘Convention on Wetlands’, also known as the Ramsar Convention on 1st February 1982 and has since then designated 75 wetlands covering an area of 13,26,677 hectares under the List of Wetlands of International Importance which includes 5 sites designated during FY 2020-2021. Presently, India stands first in South Asia and third in Asia in terms of number of designated sites.

Scroll below to view the wetlands of international importance added to the portal.