India’s Ramsar Site tally reaches 103 with addition of Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel

Environment and Biodiversity · 16 October 2026 · Based on PIB (original report)

Must read — 2 past UPSC questions on this theme (Prelims GS-1 2019, Mains GS-3 2023); also a Prelims-style fact (scheme, body, law, agreement or report).

2-minute summary

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced the inclusion of Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) as Ramsar Sites, bringing India's total tally of Ramsar wetlands of international importance to 103. This addition highlights India's ongoing commitment to biodiversity conservation, protection of critical avian habitats, and the sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems under the Ramsar Convention.

Why it's in the news

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced the addition of Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel to the Ramsar list, raising India's total Ramsar Site tally to 103.

Facts to remember

• India's total Ramsar site tally has reached 103 following the latest additions.
• Sukhna Wetland is located in Chandigarh.
• Sauj Jheel is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
• The nodal union ministry for Ramsar Convention implementation in India is the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Background and context

The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. India is a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention, having acceded to it in 1982. Wetlands act as natural kidneys of the landscape, regulating water cycles, mitigating floods, recharging aquifers, and providing critical habitats for resident and migratory birds along major flyways like the Central Asian Flyway. Over recent years, India has aggressively expanded its Ramsar network to safeguard vital ecological zones.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 48A — Directs the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
• Article 51A(g) — Imposes a fundamental duty on every Indian citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.

Government schemes

• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) — Centrally sponsored scheme for conservation and management of wetlands and lakes in India.

International organisations

• Ramsar Convention Secretariat — Administers the intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands globally.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

• Prelims GS-1 2019 — Consider the following statements : 1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India. 2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention. 3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
• Mains GS-3 2023 — Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India's wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.

Mains practice: Discuss the ecological significance of wetlands and analyze the challenges in wetland management in India despite the expansion of Ramsar sites.

Wetlands function as the ecological kidneys of the Earth, providing vital services such as groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, pollutant filtration, and support for rich biodiversity. With the recent addition of sites like Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel, India's Ramsar tally has reached 103, reflecting a robust national commitment under the Ramsar Convention (1971).

• Ecological and Hydrological Significance: Wetlands act as natural buffers against extreme weather events, trap sediments, absorb heavy metals, and serve as critical stopovers for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.

• Legislative and Policy Framework: India implements wetland protection through the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, alongside financial support via the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

• Implementation Bottlenecks: Despite international recognitions, Indian wetlands face severe anthropogenic pressures including rapid urbanization, encroachments, agricultural runoff, eutrophication, and inadequate enforcement of the 2010/2017 Wetland Rules at the district level.

• Federal and Institutional Gaps: Fragmented jurisdiction among urban local bodies, irrigation departments, and state environment boards often hinders integrated catchment-area management.

Way Forward:

- Enforce strict zoning regulations around all 103 Ramsar sites to prevent real estate and industrial encroachments.

- Operationalize digital inventory systems and integrated management plans for every notified wetland involving local communities.

- Strengthen municipal wastewater treatment before discharge into urban wetlands like Sukhna to check eutrophication.

- Promote participatory governance by empowering local panchayats and urban local bodies under Article 48A and Article 51A(g).

Conclusion:

Expanding India's Ramsar network is a laudable milestone; however, long-term ecological security demands shifting focus from mere designation to rigorous, community-backed conservation and enforcement of 'wise use' principles.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding wetlands and the Ramsar Convention in India: 1. India acceded to the Ramsar Convention in 1982. 2. All wetlands in India automatically receive statutory protection under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 3. The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer: A. Statement 1 is correct: India acceded to the Ramsar Convention in 1982. Statement 2 is incorrect because wetlands are governed by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not automatically under the Wildlife Protection Act. Statement 3 is incorrect because the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, not the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Thus, only one statement is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Wetlands serve a critical role in filtering pollutants and absorbing excess nutrients from surface runoff. Statement-II: Aquatic plants and micro-organisms present in wetlands naturally degrade and absorb heavy metals and organic loads. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer: A. Statement-I correctly describes the water-purification function of wetlands, often likened to the kidneys of the earth. Statement-II provides the exact biological and chemical mechanism (uptake by aquatic flora and microbial action) explaining why Statement-I is true.

Q3. Which of the following international conventions or treaties specifically provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands?

1. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
2. The Convention on Biological Diversity signed in Rio de Janeiro
3. The Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
4. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Answer: A. The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is the specialized intergovernmental treaty dedicated exclusively to the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Bonn Convention covers migratory species, CBD covers general biodiversity, and Cartagena covers living modified organisms.

Revision flashcards

• What is the primary global intergovernmental treaty dedicated to wetland conservation? The Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
• Which Union Ministry is the nodal agency for implementing the Ramsar Convention and wetland conservation schemes in India? The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• How many total Ramsar Sites did India have following the October 2026 announcement including Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel? 103 Ramsar Sites across India.
• In which states/union territories are Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel located? Sukhna Wetland is in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel is in Uttar Pradesh.
• Why are wetlands frequently referred to as the 'kidneys of the Earth'? Because they filter pollutants, absorb excess nutrients, regulate water cycles, and maintain sedimentation balance.