Top 10 Largest Ramsar Sites in India – Wetlands

Ramsar sites are related to wetlands ecosystems, famous for fishing,marine wildlife and bird sanctuary. These sites are recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention of India.

There are 82 Ramsar sites in India as of June 2024, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India with 16 Ramsar Sites.

Largest Wetlands in India ?

Sundarban Wetland located within the largest mangrove forest in the world and in the delta of the rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra.

Vembanad Wetland, Kerala

Vembanad Lake Wetland is the largest lake ecosystem of Kerala and home to several groups of small islands. The Vembanad wetland system is the largest wetland system in India and home to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and one of the three Ramsar Sites in Kerala.

Chilika Lake, Odisha

Chilika Lake is the second largest coastal lagoon in the world and largest wintering ground for migratory birds coming to India. The lake and ecosystem of Chilika is the first wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in India.

Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh

Kolleru Lake is located between Krishna and Godavari river deltas and a major tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh for bird watching. Kolleru Lake Wetland and Ramsar site is an important habitat for birds like Siberian crane, painted storks and best place to see spot billed pelican birds in India.

Ashtamudi Wetland, Kerala

Ashtamudi Wetland created by Ashtamudi Lake in the Kollam district of Kerala and listed as wetlands of international importance in India. The unique wetland ecosystem of Kerala is also the most visited backwater destination in Kerala.

Point Calimere, Tamil Nadu

Point Calimere on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu is a Cauvery River delta, designated as Ramsar Convention. The site is home to Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary and also holds large wintering populations of greater flamingos in India.

Loktak Lake, Manipur

Loktak Lake is a freshwater lake and home to only floating national park in the world, Keibul Lamjao National Park. The lake and park plays an important role in the economy of Manipur and last natural home of endangered Sangai deer in India.

Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir

Wular Lake of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia, fed by the Jhelum River and one of the 26 Indian wetlands designated as a Ramsar site.

Sambhar Salt Lake, Rajasthan

Sambhar Salt Lake is the largest inland salt lake in India, surrounded by the Aravali hills on all sides. The saline wetland has been designated as a Ramsar site and best place to spot pink flamingos in India.

East Kolkata Wetlands, West Bengal

East Kolkata Wetland is listed under the Ramsar Convention and home to about 100 plant species. The natural and human made wetlands are home to marsh mongoose, Small Indian Civet and 20 different species of snakes found in the East Calcutta Wetland.

Dipor Bil, Assam

Dipor Bil Wetland in Assam is a permanent freshwater lake and largest beels in the Brahmaputra valley of Lower Assam. The beel is habitat to many varieties of birds,wild animals as well as largest congregations of aquatic birds in India.

Tso Moriri and Tso Kar Lake in the union territory of Ladakh are breeding colonies of grebes and brown-headed gulls, and bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks and terns.

Bhoj Wetland, Ropar Wetland, Harike Wetland are also declared bird sanctuary and home to several species of birds and reptiles.

Largest Mangroves Forest in India

Mangroves are small tree that grows in coastal saline water and occur in muddy swampy islands around marine shorelines, estuaries and river delta.

Sundarbans Mangroves – West Bengal

Sundarbans Mangroves forest is created by delta region of Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins in West Bengal State. The mangrove forest of Sundarban National Park is home to swamp tiger,saltwater crocodile and Gangetic dolphin.

Sundarbans provides a unique wetland ecosystem and very rich wildlife habitat, especially endangered Bengal tiger. There are over 100 Bengal tigers in mangroves forest of Sundarbans and tiger attacks are frequent in the Sundarbans.

Bhitarkanika Mangroves – Odisha

Bhitarkanika Mangroves wetland in Odisha state is river delta created by Brahmani and Baitarani rivers. The Mangroves were designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and home to Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is home to India’s largest populations of saltwater crocodiles and important nesting ground for olive ridley sea turtles in India. Bhitarkanika sanctuary is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India and has a very rich historical and cultural past.

Pichavaram Mangroves – Tamil Nadu

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest near Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu is third largest mangrove forest in India and a must see natural place in India.

Godavari-Krishna Mangroves

Godavari Krishna Mangroves lies in the delta of the Godavari and Krishna rivers in Andhra Pradesh and an important coastal habitat for saltwater crocodiles.

Baratang Island Mangroves – Andamans Islands

Baratang Island Mangroves forest is a swamp, situated between Middle and South Andamans. The island has largest mangroves in Andamans and the near by Barren Island has the only active volcano in India.

Wetlands ! Ramsar Sites – Bird Sanctuaries in India

Ramsar Sites Wetlands are favourite haunt of local birds and migratory birds in India, Major attractions are Siberian crane, brahminy kite,darter, waterfowl,egret and heron.

Here are the list of Popular Wetland Bird Sanctuaries in India for Bird Watching.

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary of Andhra Pradesh second largest stretch of mangrove forests in India and also home to the critically endangered white backed vulture and the long billed vulture.

Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary is very popular tourist attraction of Odisha state and known as nesting beach for olive ridley sea turtles. The sanctuary is part of the Bhitarkanika National Park which is home to largest Saltwater Crocodiles,White Crocodiles, Indian Rock Python and King Cobra.