The Ramsar Convention
The global treaty to protect wetlands, named after the town where it was signed in 1971.
What the paper can ask
- Signed on 2 February 1971 and in force from 1975; 2 February is World Wetlands Day.
- 172 countries are parties; more than 2,500 sites are listed worldwide. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- India's first Ramsar sites were Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park.
- The Montreux Record is the list of Ramsar sites whose character is under threat; India has two entries on it. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- India had 26 Ramsar sites in 2014 and the list has grown fast since. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Latest
India crossed 100 sites in June 2026; Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) were added on 15 October 2026, taking India to 103 Ramsar sites.
Why exams ask
New Indian sites are added every few months, so the count, the newest sites, the first sites and the state of each site come up every year.
The full story
The Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands: lakes, marshes, mangroves, lagoons and similar places. It was signed on 2 February 1971 in the town of Ramsar, which is why it is called the Ramsar Convention. Countries that join list their most important wetlands as 'Wetlands of International Importance', usually called Ramsar sites. The secretariat sits in Gland, Switzerland.
In the news
Test yourself
1.The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, which is in:
Correct. The Convention was adopted at Ramsar on the Caspian coast of Iran in 1971 and came into force in 1975; its secretariat is at Gland, Switzerland.
Not quite. The Convention was adopted at Ramsar on the Caspian coast of Iran in 1971 and came into force in 1975; its secretariat is at Gland, Switzerland. It goes into your error book.
2.India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in:
Correct. India acceded on 1 February 1982; Chilika (Odisha) and Keoladeo (Rajasthan), designated in 1981, were its first sites.
Not quite. India acceded on 1 February 1982; Chilika (Odisha) and Keoladeo (Rajasthan), designated in 1981, were its first sites. It goes into your error book.
3.Which is the largest Ramsar site in India by area?
Correct. Sundarban Wetland, designated in 2019, covers about 4,230 sq km, far larger than Vembanad-Kol (about 1,512 sq km) or Chilika (about 1,165 sq km).
Not quite. Sundarban Wetland, designated in 2019, covers about 4,230 sq km, far larger than Vembanad-Kol (about 1,512 sq km) or Chilika (about 1,165 sq km). It goes into your error book.