Wetlands and Ramsar Convention – Sites in India

Wetlands and Ramsar Convention (UPSC Prelims + Mains)

Think of this: A city gets heavy rainfall. If all the rainwater rushes straight into drains and rivers, the city floods. But if there are healthy lakes, ponds, marshes, floodplains, and mangroves around the city, they act like a natural "sponge" and "shock absorber". They store water, slow down floods, recharge groundwater, filter pollutants, and support birds and fish. These natural water-sponge areas are called wetlands.

For UPSC, wetlands are important for at least four reasons: (1) they are a major part of India's water security, (2) they reduce disasters like floods and droughts, (3) they support biodiversity and livelihoods, and (4) they are a frequent topic in current affairs because India keeps adding new Ramsar Sites and because wetlands are under pressure from pollution and encroachment.

1) Why Wetlands Matter for India

Wetlands are not "wastelands". They are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. In India, wetlands are closely connected to daily life: irrigation tanks for farming, village ponds for livestock and groundwater recharge, lakes for city water supply, mangroves as natural sea-walls, and floodplains that protect towns from floods.

Wetlands also support India's rich biodiversity. Migratory birds from Central Asia, Siberia, and Europe depend on Indian wetlands as winter homes. Wetlands also support fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and many plant species.

From an economic angle, wetlands provide "ecosystem services" which are usually free but extremely valuable: flood control, water purification, groundwater recharge, carbon storage, and climate regulation.

2) What Exactly Is a Wetland?

A wetland is not only a "lake" or a "pond". Wetlands include:

• Inland wetlands: lakes, ponds, riverside marshes, floodplains, oxbow lakes, peatlands, springs, high-altitude lakes, reservoirs, village tanks, etc.
• Coastal wetlands: mangroves, lagoons, estuaries, tidal flats, salt marshes, seagrass beds, coral reef-associated shallow waters, and mudflats.

Wetlands are "transition zones" between land and water. Their soil is often waterlogged, and their plants are adapted to wet conditions.

Important exam point: Different laws and institutions use different definitions. Ramsar uses a very wide definition. India's Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 define wetlands for legal management purposes.

3) Types of Wetlands (UPSC-friendly classification)

A) By location

• Inland wetlands (away from the sea): lakes, ponds, marshes, floodplains, reservoirs.
• Coastal wetlands (near the sea): mangroves, lagoons, estuaries, coral reef-associated shallow waters.

B) By origin

• Natural wetlands: formed by natural processes (e.g., floodplains, natural lakes, mangroves).
• Man-made wetlands: created by humans (e.g., reservoirs, tanks, some urban lakes).

C) By water type

• Freshwater wetlands: most inland lakes, ponds, marshes.
• Brackish wetlands: estuaries, coastal lagoons (mix of fresh + sea water).
• Saltwater wetlands: salt marshes, tidal flats, shallow marine wetlands.

4) What Services Do Wetlands Provide? (Ecosystem Services)

(1) Flood control: Wetlands work like natural "water storage tanks". When rivers overflow or when rainfall is heavy, wetlands spread and slow the water.

(2) Groundwater recharge: Many wetlands slowly allow water to seep into the ground, recharging wells and borewells.

(3) Water purification: Wetland plants and soils can trap sediments and absorb nutrients. They act like natural filters.

(4) Biodiversity hotspots: Wetlands are "life-support areas" for birds, fish, amphibians, and insects.

(5) Climate regulation and carbon storage: Wetlands store carbon in plants and soils. Mangroves and peatlands are particularly strong carbon sinks.

5) Wetlands in India: Distribution and Key Numbers

India has a very large number of wetlands—from tiny village ponds to huge coastal mangrove systems. India's wetlands cover about 15.26 million hectares, which is roughly 4.63% of India's geographical area.

6) Major Threats to Wetlands

(1) Encroachment and land conversion

Wetlands are often seen as "empty land" to be filled for housing, roads, and commercial complexes.

(2) Pollution and eutrophication

Untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff enter wetlands. Excess nutrients cause algal blooms.

(3) Solid waste and construction debris dumping

Many wetlands are used as dumping grounds.

(4) Altered hydrology

Dams, embankments, sand mining, and diversion of streams reduce seasonal flooding needed for wetlands.

(5) Over-extraction of water

When groundwater or surface water is over-extracted, wetlands dry out.

(6) Invasive species

Invasive aquatic plants can spread rapidly and cover the water surface.

(7) Climate change

Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, sea-level rise, and stronger cyclones stress wetlands.

7) Ramsar Convention: Meaning, History, and Why It Exists

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty focused on wetland conservation and sustainable use. It was adopted on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar and came into force in 1975.

The "3 Pillars" of Ramsar

1. Wise use of all wetlands: Not only Ramsar sites—wise use should apply to all wetlands.
2. Designation and effective management of Ramsar Sites: Countries list wetlands of international importance.
3. International cooperation: Especially for shared wetlands, river basins, and migratory species.

Institutions under Ramsar

• COP (Conference of the Contracting Parties): Main decision-making meeting.
• Standing Committee: Works between COP meetings.
• STRP (Scientific and Technical Review Panel): Provides scientific guidance.
• Secretariat: Coordinates daily work.

World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2 February, marking the adoption date of the Ramsar Convention.

8) India and the Ramsar Convention

Key facts

• India became a Contracting Party on 1 February 1982.
• As of January 2026, India has 98 Ramsar Sites.
• These sites together cover about 1,384,140 hectares.

Wetland City Accreditation

Indore and Udaipur have been listed as Wetland Accredited Cities (announced January 2025).

Montreux Record

The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites where ecological character has changed or is likely to change due to human interference. Sites can be added to draw attention for priority conservation action.

9) Major Wetlands of India

Chilika Lake (Odisha)

India's largest brackish water lagoon. It hosts migratory birds from Central Asia and is famous for Irrawaddy dolphins. First Indian Ramsar Site (1981).

Loktak Lake (Manipur)

Northeast India's largest freshwater lake, known for floating phumdis (vegetation mats). Home to Keibul Lamjao National Park—the only floating national park.

Wular Lake (Jammu and Kashmir)

One of India's largest freshwater lakes. Important for flood absorption, fisheries, and migratory birds.

Vembanad Lake (Kerala)

Largest lake in Kerala and longest lake in India. Supports backwater tourism, fisheries, and Nehru Trophy boat race.

Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan)

India's largest inland saltwater lake. Important for salt production and flamingo populations.

10) India's Wetland Governance

A) Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017

Legal framework for identifying, notifying, and managing wetlands. Sets up State Wetlands Authorities and restricts harmful activities.

B) NPCA: National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems

Centrally supported scheme for holistic conservation and restoration of wetlands and lakes.

C) Other supporting laws

• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications

11) Conservation Measures

Legal and administrative

• Identify and notify wetlands with clear boundaries
• Stop encroachment using satellite monitoring
• Strengthen State Wetlands Authorities

Pollution control

• Control sewage through STPs
• Reduce fertiliser runoff through buffer strips

Ecological restoration

• Maintain environmental flows
• Remove invasive species
• Restore native vegetation

Community participation

• Support sustainable livelihoods
• Involve local communities in monitoring

12) Prelims Quick Revision Points

• Ramsar Convention adopted on 2 February 1971; came into force in 1975.
• World Wetlands Day: 2 February.
• India's Ramsar entry: 1 February 1982.
• India's Ramsar Sites (Jan 2026): 98 sites.
• India's wetlands: 15.26 million hectares (~4.63% of area).
• Key scheme: NPCA.
• Wetland Cities: Indore and Udaipur.