🌿 Ramsar Sites in India – Complete UPSC Notes, PYQs, Tricks & Current Affairs

 

🏞️ Introduction – Why Ramsar Sites Matter for UPSC Aspirants

Wetlands are the lungs of the Earth — crucial for biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and climate regulation.

For UPSC aspirants, Ramsar Sites in India have consistently been a hot topic in Prelims, GS Paper-3, and Environment-related Current Affairs.

The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 at Ramsar (Iran), is the first global treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

India became a signatory in 1982, marking the beginning of a structured effort to conserve its rich wetland ecosystem.

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📜 What is a Ramsar Site? Origin of the Name ‘Ramsar’

• A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

• The term “Ramsar” comes from the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was adopted on 2 February 1971.

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February to mark this occasion.

Objective:

“To conserve and wisely use wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation.”

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🇮🇳 Ramsar Sites in India – Overview

• Total Ramsar Sites (as of 2025): 80+

• India ranks among the top 5 countries with the most Ramsar Sites globally.

• First Ramsar Sites (1981-82): Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

• Largest Ramsar Site: Sundarbans (West Bengal) – ~4230 sq. km

• Smallest Ramsar Site: Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh) – ~0.2 sq. km

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🌏 ⚖️ Legal Framework – Under Which Law Ramsar Convention Operates

• The Ramsar Convention is not a UN treaty, but an intergovernmental environmental treaty.

• In India, its implementation is governed through:

  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

  • Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017

  • National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)

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🧠 7 Unique Tricks to Learn All Ramsar Sites in India (Never-Used Mnemonics)

1. “WET COW” Formula (State-wise grouping):

   • W – West Bengal → Sundarbans, East Kolkata Wetlands

   • E – East (Odisha) → Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika

   • T – Tamil Nadu → Point Calimere, Pallikaranai

   • C – Central (Madhya Pradesh) → Bhoj Wetland

   • O – North (Punjab, Himachal) → Harike, Renuka, Pong Dam

   • W – Western India (Gujarat, Rajasthan) → Nalsarovar, Keoladeo

2. Map Memory Method:
   Trace all Ramsar Sites on a blank India map once weekly — visual learning boosts retention.

3. State-Bird Connection:
   Link the Ramsar Site to the state bird — e.g., Keoladeo → Saras Crane.

4. River Tag Method:
   Associate Ramsar Sites with major rivers (UPSC loves this linkage):

   • Harike Lake – Beas/Sutlej, Kanjli – Beas, Kolleru – Godavari–Krishna Delta

5. Seasonal Clusters:
   Divide sites by migratory bird arrival months.

6. North–South Wetline:
   Learn from Kashmir → Kanyakumari sequence for 1 min daily.

7. Story Mnemonics:
   “Sundar Renuka in Keoladeo married Bhoj near Chilika” – combines 5 major Ramsar sites in one fun story.

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📘 UPSC PYQ Analysis (Rivers + Ramsar)

1. UPSC Prelims 2022:

Which one of the following pairs of lake and location is correctly matched?

a) Kolleru – Tamil Nadu

b) Sambhar – Rajasthan ✅

c) Chilika – Gujarat

d) Pulicat – Odisha

Learning: Location-based and map-based Ramsar questions are frequent.

2. UPSC Prelims 2019:

Consider the following statements about the Ramsar Convention.

1. It is related to the conservation of deserts.

2. India is not a member country.
   ✅ Answer: Both incorrect – tests factual clarity.

3. UPSC Mains (GS Paper-3, 2021):

“Discuss India’s progress in implementing the Ramsar Convention and challenges faced in wetland conservation.”

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✍️ Sample Answer-Writing Framework (Mains-Style)

Q: Discuss the importance of Ramsar Sites in maintaining ecological balance and the steps taken by India for their conservation.

Answer Framework:

Intro: Define Ramsar Sites and mention India’s total number.

Body:

• Ecological Significance: Biodiversity hotspots, groundwater recharge, carbon sinks.

• Government Efforts: Wetlands Rules 2017, NWCP, inclusion under National Biodiversity Authority.

• Challenges: Urban encroachment, pollution, tourism pressure.

• Recent Steps: 75 new Ramsar Sites added to mark 75 years of Independence (2022).

Conclusion:

Strengthening local community participation and integrating Ramsar protection with climate adaptation policies is essential for “Amrit Kaal Wetland Vision 2047.”

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📰 Current Relevance (2024–25)

• India added new Ramsar Sites in 2024, including Tampara Lake (Odisha) and Hygam Wetland (J&K).

• MoEFCC’s ‘Amrit Dharohar’ Scheme (Budget 2023) promotes eco-tourism around Ramsar Sites — vital for UPSC GS-3 and Essay Paper.

• International Context: COP14 of the Ramsar Convention held in Wuhan (China) and Geneva (Switzerland) in 2022 — possible UPSC question angle.

🧩 Important Bodies Linked to Ramsar Convention

• Ramsar Secretariat (Gland, Switzerland)

• Wetlands International

• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India)

• MoEFCC – National Nodal Agency for Ramsar Sites in India

• National Wetland Committee – Coordinates conservation policies

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🌍 Significance of Ramsar Sites for UPSC

• Direct questions in Prelims (facts, locations, years).

• Analytical questions in Mains GS-3 (environmental governance).

• Linked to Essay topics (“Balancing Development and Ecology”).

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🧾 Conclusion

Ramsar Sites are not just wetlands — they’re ecological security zones protecting India’s hydrological and biodiversity balance.

For UPSC aspirants, mastering them ensures a strong grip over Environment, Geography, and Current Affairs — all in one shot.

“Conserving a wetland is conserving life itself.”