Wetlands of international importance are among the most-updated lists in Indian geography. Our map holds 94 of them across 24 states and union territories.
Ramsar sites by state (sites on our map) 1 Tamil NaduChitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Pallikarnai Marsh Reserve Forest, Pichavaram Mangrove, Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Therthangal Bird Sanctuary, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Vadavur Bird Sanctuary, Vembannur Wetland Complex 20 2 Uttar PradeshPatna Bird Sanctuary, Bakhira Sanctuary, Haiderpur Wetland, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Sur Sarovar, Upper Ganga River, Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal), Sauj Jheel, Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary 14 3 BiharKanwar Lake, Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Udaypur Lake, Gogabeel Lake, Gokul Reservoir, Nakti lake 6 4 PunjabBeas Conservation Reserve, Harike Wetland, Kanjli Wetland, Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Ropar Wetland, Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve 6 5 GujaratChhari-Dhand, Khijadiya, Nalsarovar, Thol Lake, Wadhvana Wetland 5 6 Madhya PradeshBhoj Wetland, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur Lake, Yashwant Sagar, Tawa Reservoir 5 7 OdishaAnsupa Lake, Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Hirakud Reservoir, Satkosia Gorge, Tampara Lake 5 8 Jammu and KashmirHokersar Wetland, Shallabugh Wetland, Mansar-Surinsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve 4 9 KarnatakaRanganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve 4 10 Himachal PradeshChandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Renuka Lake 3 Source: UPSCPrep Data Atlas
Who leads Tamil Nadu is far ahead with 20, most of them bird sanctuaries and coastal wetlands such as the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve and Pallikaranai Marsh. Uttar Pradesh follows with 14, led by its chain of bird sanctuaries. Bihar and Punjab have 6 each; Gujarat , Madhya Pradesh and Odisha 5 each; Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka 4 each.
Some well-known Ramsar sites India map in the official boundary; positions are for orientation · Source: UPSCPrep Data Atlas
UPSC angle Expect "which state has the most" and "which of these is a Ramsar site" questions. Many sites are reservoirs or lakes also asked as dams or lakes – learn them together. Link to GS-3: wetland loss, bird migration routes and conservation law. 