S.No

Location

Name

Estd.

Area

(km²)

Description

1

Andhra Pradesh

Kolleru Lake

2002

901

·A natural eutrophic lake, situated between the two major river basins of the Godavari and the Krishna.

·It provides habitat for a number of resident and migratory birds.

·It was previously a lagoon, but now it is several kms inland due to the coastline of emergence and delta formation.

2

Assam

Deepor Beel

2002

40

·A permanent freshwater lake in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River.

·The beel is a staging site on migratory flyways. Some globally threatened birds are supported, including the spot-billed pelican, lesser and greater adjutant stork, and Baer’s pochard.

·It is a few kms to the left of Guwahati whereas Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is around 35 km away to the right.

3

Bihar

Kanwar Taal or Kabar Taal Lake

2020

26.2

·Covers 2,620 hectares of the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Begusarai.

·The site is an extensive floodplain complex during Monsoon. During the dry season, areas of marshland dry out and are used for agriculture.

·Significant biodiversity is present, with 165 plant species and 394 animal species recorded, including 221 bird species.

·This Wetlands in India is an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, with 58 migratory water birds using it to rest and refuel.

·Five critically endangered species inhabit the site, including three vultures – the red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture and Indian vulture and two water birds, the sociable lapwing and Baer’s pochard.

4

Gujarat

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

2012

123

·A natural freshwater lake (a relict sea) that is the largest natural wetland in the Thar Desert.

·The area is home to 210 species of birds.

·It is an important stopover site within the Central Asian Flyway, with globally threatened species.

·The vulnerable sarus crane takes refuge there during summer when other water bodies are dry.

·This Wetlands in India  is also a lifeline for a satellite population of the endangered Indian wild ass which uses this area in the dry season.

5

Himachal Pradesh

Chandra Taal

2005

0.49

·A high altitude lake on the upper Chandra valley flowing to the Chenab River of the Western Himalayas (4,337 m) near the Kunzam pass joining the Himalayan and Pir Panjal ranges.

·It supports the CITES and IUCN Red Listed snow leopard and is a refuge for many species like the snowcock, chukor, black ring stilt, kestrel, golden eagle, chough, red fox, Himalayan ibex, and blue sheep. 

6

Himachal Pradesh

Pong Dam Lake

2002

156.62

·A water storage reservoir created in 1975 on the Beas River in the low foothills of the Himalayas on the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

·It is also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar.

·The site is located on the trans-Himalayan flyway where more than 220 bird species have been identified.

7

Himachal Pradesh

Renuka Lake

2005

0.2

·A natural Wetlands in India with freshwater springs and inland subterranean karst formations, fed by a small stream flowing from the lower Himalayas to the Giri River.

·The lake is home to at least 443 species of fauna and 19 species of fish representative of lake ecosystems like Puntius, Labeo, Rasbora and Channa.

·Prominent vegetation ranges from dry deciduous plants to aquatic plants.

·There are 103 species of birds of which 66 are resident, e.g. crimson-breasted barbets, mynas, bulbuls, pheasants, egrets, herons, mallards and lapwings. Among ungulates, sambar, barking deer and ghorals are also abundant in the area.

8

Jammu and Kashmir

Hokera Wetland

2005

13.75

·Located in the northwest Himalayan Pir Panjal range (1,584 m), Hokera Wetland is only 10 km from Srinagar.

·A natural perennial wetland adjoining to the Jhelum basin.

·It is the only site with remaining reedbeds of Kashmir and pathway of 68 waterfowl species like large egret, great crested grebe, little cormorant, tufted duck and endangered white-eyed pochard, etc. coming from Siberia, China, central Asia, and northern Europe.

9

Jammu and Kashmir

Surinsar-Mansar Lakes

2005

3.5

·A freshwater composite lake in semi-arid region, adjoining the Jhelum Basin.

·Surinsar is rain-fed without permanent discharge, and Mansar is primarily fed by surface run-off and partially by mineralised water through paddy fields.

·The lake supports CITES and IUCN Red Listed Indian flapshell turtle and Indian softshell turtle.

·This composite lake is an attractive habitat, breeding and nursery ground for migratory waterfowl like the Eurasian coot, common moorhen, black-necked grebe, tufted duck etc.

10

Jammu and Kashmir

Wular Lake

1990

189

·The largest freshwater lake in India with extensive marshes of emergent and floating vegetation, particularly water chestnut.

·The area is important for wintering, staging and breeding birds.

11

Kerala

Ashtamudi Wetland

2002

614

·A natural backwater in Kollam district, Kerala.

·The rivers Kallada and Pallichal drain into it.

·It forms an estuary with the sea at Neendakara which is a famous fishing harbour.

·National Waterway 3 passes through it.

12

Kerala

Sasthamkotta Lake

2002

3.73

·It is the largest freshwater lake in Kollam, Kerala.

·The Kallada River had a unique replenishing system through a bar of paddy field.

·The lake is now depleting due to destruction of replenishing mechanism.

13

Kerala

Vembanad-Kol Wetland

2002

1512.5

·It is the largest lake of Kerala, spanning across Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulum districts.

·It is also the longest lake of India.

·The mouths of the Pamba and Achankovil rivers in Vembanad forms part of the Kuttanad.

·It is below sea level and is famous for exotic fish varieties and paddy fields that are below sea level.

14

Ladakh

Tso moriri

2002

120

·A freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595 m above sea level, with wet meadows and borax-laden wetlands along the shores.

·The site is said to represent the only breeding ground outside of China for one of the most endangered cranes, the black-necked crane, and the only breeding ground for bar-headed geese in India.

·The great Tibetan sheep or argali and Tibetan wild ass are endemic to the Tibetan Plateau.

·The barley fields at Karzok have been described as the highest cultivated land in the world.

·With no outflow, evaporation in the arid steppe conditions causes varying levels of salinity.

15

Ladakh

Tso Kar

2020

95.77

·It is a high-altitude wetland complex, found at more than 4,500 m above sea level in the Leh district, Ladakh.

·It includes two connected lakes, the freshwater Startsapuk Tso and the larger hypersaline Tso Kar.

·It is also an important stopover ground for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.

·It is one of the most important breeding areas in India for the black-necked crane. Some of the species found here are endangered saker falcon and Asiatic wild dog or dhole, and the vulnerable snow leopard.

16

Madhya Pradesh

Bhoj Wetland

2002

32

·Consists of two lakes located in the city of Bhopal.

·The two lakes are the Bhojtal (Upper Lake) and the Lower Lake.

·It is a man-made reservoir.

·White storks, black-necked storks, bar-headed geese, spoonbills, etc., that have been rare sightings in the past, have started appearing.

·The largest bird of India, the sarus crane (Grus antigone) gathers here.

17

Maharashtra

Nandur Madhameshwar

2019

14

·It is a mosaic of lakes, marshes and riparian forest on the Deccan Plateau.

·Construction of the Nandur Madhameshwar Weir at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadva rivers helped create a thriving wetland.

·With 536 species recorded, the site hosts some of India’s most iconic species, such as the leopard and Indian sandalwood.

·It also provides sanctuary to critically endangered species including Deolali minnow, Indian vulture and white-rumped vulture.

18

Maharashtra

Lonar Lake

2020

4.27

·An endorheic basin, almost circular in shape, formed by a meteorite impact some 50,000 years ago, onto the basalt bedrock in Buldhana district.

·It is one of the four known, hyper-velocity, impact craters in basaltic rock anywhere on Earth.

·It is high in salinity and alkalinity.

·Fauna includes the vulnerable Asian woollyneck and common pochard and the grey wolf.

·It is a National Geological Monument recognized by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

·It is the only Crater Lake in the country formed by the meteorite impact.

19

Manipur

Loktak Lake

1990

266

·The largest freshwater lake in the north-eastern region of the country, which is famous for the phumdis floating over it.

·Keibul Lamjao, the only floating national park in the world, is located near Moirang, Bishnupur.

·The Keibul Lamjao National Park is the last natural refuge of the endangered sangai or Manipur brow-antlered deer, one of three subspecies of Eld’s deer.

20

Odisha

Bhitarkanika Mangroves

2002

650

·In 1975, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary was declared. The core area of the sanctuary, with an area of 145 km², was declared Bhitarkanika National Park in 1998.

·Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, east to the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, was created in 1997.

·Bhitarkanika Mangroves which is part of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, were designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2002.

·It is also famous for its salt water crocodiles and olive ridley sea turtle.

21

Odisha

Chilika Lake

1981

1165

·A brackish water lagoon at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal.

·It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world.

·The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season.

·In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Wetland in India of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

·Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake which was designated as a bird sanctuary in 1973.

·Chilka is home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India.

22

Punjab

Beas Conservation Reserve

2019

64

·A 185-kilometre stretch of the Beas River.

·More than 500 species of birds are documented along this stretch, along with more than 90 fish species.

·The reserve also hosts the only known population in India of the endangered Indus river dolphin.

·Further threatened species include the endangered mahseer & hog deer as well as the vulnerable smooth-coated otter.

·In 2017, a programme was initiated to re-introduce the critically endangered gharial.

23

Punjab

Harike Wetland

1990

41

·A shallow water reservoir with thirteen islands, at the confluence of two rivers – Beas and Sutlej.

·Dense floating vegetation covers 70% of the lake.

·It is an important site for breeding, wintering and staging birds.

24

Punjab

Kanjli Wetland

2002

1.83

·A permanent stream, the Kali Bein, converted by construction of a small barrage in 1870 into a water storage area for irrigation purposes.

·The stream is considered to be the most significant in the state from the religious point of view, as it is associated with the first guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak.

25

Punjab

Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve

2019

34

·The reserve is a mosaic of natural marshes, aquaculture ponds and agricultural wetlands.

·It is heavily human influenced, and includes a series of managed fishponds and cultivated crops such lotus and chestnut.

·Support a variety of flora, with 344 species of plants recorded in the area.

·In this way, the site is an example of wise use of a community-managed wetland, which provides food for people and supports local biodiversity.

·Threatened species present include the vulnerable common pochard & the endangered spotted pond turtle.

26

Punjab

Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary

2019

1

·Located in the Shiwalik Hills of Punjab.

·It supports abundant flora and fauna including threatened species, such as the endangered Indian pangolin, Egyptian vulture and the vulnerable leopard.

·It occupies a human-made reservoir constructed as part of the Bhakra-Nangal Project in 1961.

·The site is of historic importance also, as the Indian and Chinese prime ministers formalized the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence there in 1954.

27

Punjab

Ropar Wetland

2002

13.65

·Artificial wetland of lake and river formed by construction of a barrage for diversion of water from the Sutlej River.

·The site is an important breeding place for the nationally protected smooth-coated otter, hog deer, sambar, several reptiles, and the endangered Indian pangolin.

·Some 35 species of fish play an important role in the food chain, and about 150 species of local and migratory birds are supported.

28

Rajasthan

Keoladeo National Park

1981

28.73

·A complex of ten artificial, seasonal lagoons, varying in size.

·Vegetation is a mosaic of scrub and open grassland that provides habitat for breeding, wintering and staging migratory birds.

·Also supported are five species of ungulates, four species of cats, and two species of primates, as well as diverse plants, fish and reptiles.

·Additionally, the invasive growth of the grass Paspalum distichum has changed the ecological character of large areas of the site, reducing its suitability for certain waterbird species, notably the Siberian crane.

29

Rajasthan

Sambhar Lake

1990

240

·India’s largest inland salt lake.

·It is a key wintering area for thousands of flamingos and other birds that migrate from northern Asia.

·The specialized algae and bacteria growing in the lake provide striking water colours and support the lake ecology that, in turn, sustains the migrating waterfowl.

·There is other wildlife in the nearby forests, where nilgai move freely along with deer and foxes.

30

Tamil Nadu

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

2002

385

·One of the last remnants of Dry Evergreen Forests.

·It is a coastal area consisting of shallow waters, shores, and long sand bars, intertidal flats and intertidal forests, chiefly mangrove, and seasonal, often-saline lagoons.

·Some 257 species of birds have been recorded, 119 of them water birds, including the vulnerable species spoon-billed sandpiper and grey pelican and greater and lesser flamingos.

·The site serves as the breeding ground or nursery for many species of fish, as well as for prawns and crabs.

31

Tripura

Rudrasagar Lake

2005

2.4

·It is a reservoir in the northeast hills, fed by three perennial streams discharging to the Gomti River.

·The lake is an ideal habitat for IUCN Red Listed three-striped roofed turtle.

32

Uttar Pradesh

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

2019

2

·It was renamed as Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary in 2015.

·A shallow marshland 45 kms from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

·It is a haven for birds, with 25,000 water birds regularly recorded and 220 resident and migratory species documented.

·Among these are the endangered Egyptian vulture and Pallas’s fish eagle as well as the vulnerable lesser adjutant and woolly-necked stork.

33

Uttar Pradesh

Parvati Aranga Bird Sanctuary

2019

7

·A permanent freshwater environment consisting of two oxbow lakes.

·These Wetland in India offer exceptional habitats for water birds, providing both roosting and breeding sites.

·The sanctuary is a refuge for some of India’s threatened vulture species; the critically endangered white-rumped vulture and Indian vulture, and the endangered Egyptian vulture have all been recorded.

·Meanwhile ancient temples around the lakes provide religious significance and encourage tourism.

34

Uttar Pradesh

Saman Bird Sanctuary

2019

5

·It is a seasonal oxbow lake on the Ganges floodplain.

·The sanctuary regularly provides refuge to over 50,000 water birds of about 187 species and is particularly important as a wintering site for many migrants including the greylag goose.

·Vulnerable species including the sarus crane and greater spotted eagle.

35

Uttar Pradesh

Samaspur Bird Sanctuary

2019

8

·A perennial lowland marsh typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Raebareli.

·Its six connected lakes are heavily relevant on monsoon rains.

·The sanctuary harbours threatened species such as the endangered Egyptian vulture, Pallas’s fish eagle, and vulnerable common pochard.

·At least 46 freshwater fish species use the wetland, with some migrating in from nearby rivers during monsoon floods.

36

Uttar Pradesh

Sandi Bird Sanctuary

2019

3

·A freshwater marsh in the Hardoi, the wetland is typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

·Rich in aquatic plants, it is home to over 1% of the South Asian populations of common teal, red-crested pochard and ferruginous duck and vulnerable sarus crane.

·It is also designation as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

37

Uttar Pradesh

Sarsai Nawar Jheel

2019

2

·A permanent marsh in the Etawah, this typical wetland of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

·It is an example of co-habitation of humans and wildlife.

·A particular beneficiary of this is the vulnerable sarus crane, with a population of 400 individuals making up the largest flock in the region. The site’s name is derived from this large non-migratory crane.

·Other threatened species present include the critically endangered white-rumped vulture and endangered woolly-necked stork.

·It is recognized by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area.

38

Uttar Pradesh

Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)

2005

265.9

·A shallow river stretch of the great Ganges with intermittent small stretches of deep-water pools and reservoirs upstream from barrages.

·The river provides habitat for the IUCN Red Listed Ganges river dolphin, gharial, crocodile, 6 species of turtles, otters, 82 species of fish and more than 100 species of birds.

·Major plant species, some of which are said to have medicinal value, include Dalbergia sissoo, Saraca indica, Eucalyptus globulus, Ficus benghalensis, Dendrocalamus strictus, Tectona grandis, Azadirachta indica and aquatic Eichhornia.

39

Uttar Pradesh

Sur Sarovar

2020

4.31

·Established in Agra district.

·The site’s habitat types provides refuge to resident and migratory birds, and more than 60 species of fish.

·Threatened species include the vulnerable greater spotted eagle, sarus crane, and wallago catfish.

·This Wetlands in India is important for bird species that migrate on the Central Asian Flyway.

40

Uttarakhand

Asan Barrage

2020

4.44

·The Asan Conservation Reserve is a stretch of the Asan River running down to its confluence with the Yamuna River in Dehradun.

·The Site support 330 species of birds including the critically endangered red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture and Baer’s pochard.

·Two water bird species have been recorded here, these being red-crested pochard and ruddy shelduck.

·There are also 49 fish species, one of these being the endangered Putitor mahseer. Fish use the site for feeding, migration and spawning.

41

West Bengal

East Kolkata Wetlands

2002

125

·Multiple use wetlands in India.

·The wetland forms an urban facility for treating the city’s waste water and utilizing the treated water for pisciculture and agriculture.

42

West Bengal

Sundarban Wetland

2019

4230

·It is located within the largest mangrove forest in the world which encompasses hundreds of islands and a maze of rivers and creeks in the delta of the rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra on the Bay of Bengal.

·It is the largest Ramsar Wetland Site in India.

·The Indian Sundarban, covering the south-westernmost part of the delta, constitutes over 60% of the country’s total mangrove forest and includes 90% of Indian mangrove species.

·They serve as nurseries to shellfish and finfish and sustain the fisheries of the entire eastern coast.