The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and ratified by India in February 1982, establishes an intergovernmental treaty framework for the conservation and wise use of wetland ecosystems. India's designated Ramsar network encompasses diverse aquatic habitats, including freshwater lakes, estuarine deltas, high-altitude wetlands, and mangrove swamps that serve as critical staging grounds along the Central Asian Flyway for migratory waterfowl. Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan were India's initial Ramsar designations in October 1981. The Sundarbans Wetland in West Bengal represents the largest Ramsar site in the country by surface area, whereas Renuka Wetland in Himachal Pradesh is the smallest. To address ecological degradation, the convention maintains the Montreux Record—a specialized register of wetland sites where adverse changes in ecological character have occurred or are imminent due to technological developments, pollution, or human interference. In India, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake (Manipur) remain listed on the Montreux Record, whereas Chilika Lake was successfully removed in 2002 following systematic hydrological restoration.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The Ramsar Convention was signed on 2 February 1971 (commemorated as World Wetlands Day) and entered into force in India on 1 February 1982.
Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were designated as India's first Ramsar sites in October 1981.
The Sundarbans mangrove wetland in West Bengal is India's largest Ramsar site, while Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh is the smallest.
Two Indian sites currently feature on the Montreux Record due to ecological threats: Keoladeo National Park (water shortage) and Loktak Lake (phumdi degradation).
Chilika Lake was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 but became the first Asian site successfully removed in 2002 following mouth-opening hydrological restoration.
Showing 25 Curated Questions266 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-WILD-00045
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
World Wetlands Day is celebrated globally every year on which date to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971?
Verified Explanation
World Wetlands Day is observed annually on 2 February to mark the date of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
2ID: GK-WILD-00046
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which two sites were the first in India to be designated as Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance in October 1981?
Verified Explanation
Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan were designated simultaneously as India's first two Ramsar sites on 1 October 1981.
3ID: GK-WILD-00051
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Renuka Wetland, the smallest Ramsar wetland site in India (~0.2 sq km / 20 hectares), is situated in which district of Himachal Pradesh?
Verified Explanation
Renuka Lake in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh is a natural freshwater lake and India's smallest Ramsar site, named after Goddess Renuka.
4ID: GK-WILD-00072
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which Indian state currently possesses the highest number of Ramsar Wetland Sites of International Importance in India (with 16 designated sites)?
Verified Explanation
Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India (16 designated sites), followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites.
5ID: GK-WILD-00092
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Nanda Lake, the very first Ramsar wetland site designated in the state of Goa, is situated in which taluka/town of South Goa?
Verified Explanation
Nanda Lake in Curchorem (Quepem taluka) was designated as Goa's first Ramsar wetland site in 2022, sustaining local paddy cultivation and resident waterbirds.
6ID: GK-WILD-00128
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Sultanpur National Park, a designated Ramsar wetland site famous for winter migratory birds, is located in which district of Haryana?
Verified Explanation
Sultanpur National Park is situated in Gurugram district of Haryana, approximately 50 km from Delhi, and was declared a Ramsar site in 2021.
7ID: GK-WILD-00181
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
In 2024, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (Ariyalur district) and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (Nilgiris) were designated as Ramsar wetland sites in which state?
Verified Explanation
In January 2024, Tamil Nadu added Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola to the Ramsar list, expanding its total to 16 Ramsar sites (highest in India).
8ID: GK-WILD-00194
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which is the largest mangrove forest and coastal Ramsar wetland in India, famous for Royal Bengal Tigers adapted to tidal swimming?
Verified Explanation
The Sundarbans Wetland in West Bengal covers over 4,200 sq km of mangrove swamps in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta and is India's largest Ramsar site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9ID: GK-WILD-00195
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
World Wetlands Day is celebrated globally every year on which date to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands?
Verified Explanation
World Wetlands Day is observed internationally on 2 February to commemorate the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar on 2 February 1971.
10ID: GK-WILD-00200
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Under the Ramsar Convention, which two wetland sites in India were the first to be designated as Wetlands of International Importance on 1 October 1981?
Verified Explanation
Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan were the first two Indian wetlands designated as Ramsar sites on 1 October 1981.
11ID: GK-WILD-00230
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which Ramsar wetland site in Jammu and Kashmir is an oxbow lake formed by the meandering of the Jhelum River, renowned for wintering migratory waterfowl?
Verified Explanation
Hokersar (Hokera) Wetland, located 10 km north of Srinagar in the Jhelum river basin, is a natural perennial wetland designated as a Ramsar site in 2005, serving as a vital staging ground for waterfowl from Siberia.
12ID: GK-WILD-00237
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which Ramsar site in Tamil Nadu, located near Chennai city, is one of the last remaining natural freshwater marsh ecosystems in the Coromandel Coast region?
Verified Explanation
Pallikaranai Marsh is a freshwater wetland in southern Chennai, designated as a Ramsar site in 2022. It plays a critical role in flood mitigation and groundwater recharge.
13ID: GK-WILD-00250
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
In October 1981, which two protected areas were designated as the very first Ramsar wetland sites in India?
Verified Explanation
Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) in Rajasthan were officially inscribed as India's first two Ramsar sites on 1 October 1981.
14ID: GK-WILD-00253
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which is the largest Ramsar wetland site in India by total geographic area (~4,230 sq km)?
Verified Explanation
The Sundarban Wetland in West Bengal, designated as a Ramsar site in January 2019, spans approximately 4,230 sq km, making it India's largest Ramsar site.
15ID: GK-WILD-00256
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which is the smallest Ramsar wetland site in India, spanning a water spread area of only about 20 hectares in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh?
Verified Explanation
Renuka Wetland in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh is India's smallest Ramsar site with a designated area of 20 hectares (0.2 sq km).
16ID: GK-WILD-00289
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Tampara Lake, a scenic freshwater oxbow/depression lake designated as a Ramsar site in August 2022, is located in which district of Odisha?
Verified Explanation
Tampara Lake is a prominent freshwater lake located near Chhatrapur in Ganjam district of Odisha, recognized as a Ramsar wetland in 2022.
17ID: GK-WILD-00297
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which wetland in Sepahijala district of Tripura is a Ramsar site featuring three perennial feeding streams (Noacherra, Durlavnarayan cherra, and Kemtali cherra)?
Verified Explanation
Rudrasagar Lake in Tripura is a lowland sedimentation reservoir fed by three streams, designated as a Ramsar site in November 2005.
18ID: GK-WILD-00344
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which intergovernmental treaty, signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar on 2 February 1971, provides the global framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands?
Verified Explanation
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and came into force in 1975 (India acceded on 1 February 1982).
19ID: GK-WILD-00345
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which is the largest mangrove wetland and Ramsar site in India, designated in 2019 and shared across the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta with Bangladesh?
Verified Explanation
The Indian Sundarbans (4,230 sq km), covering the southern tip of the Ganges delta in West Bengal, was designated as India's 27th Ramsar site in January 2019.
20ID: GK-WILD-00347
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
When India designated its first two Ramsar wetland sites in October 1981, which wetland in Rajasthan was designated alongside Odisha's Chilika Lake?
Verified Explanation
On 1 October 1981, Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) became the first two wetlands in India to be recognized as Ramsar sites of international importance.
21ID: GK-WILD-00348
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
As of 2024, which Indian state possesses the highest number of designated Ramsar wetland sites in the country (16 sites)?
Verified Explanation
Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India with 16 designated wetlands, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 Ramsar sites.
22ID: GK-WILD-00350
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Renuka Wetland, the smallest Ramsar wetland site in India by surface area (approx 20 hectares), is located in which district of Himachal Pradesh?
Verified Explanation
Renuka Lake is a natural freshwater wetland in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, designated as a Ramsar site in November 2005 and holding great cultural and religious significance.
23ID: GK-WILD-00353
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, a coastal Ramsar wetland site famous for thousands of wintering Greater Flamingos, is situated in which district of Tamil Nadu?
Verified Explanation
Point Calimere is located on the Coromandel Coast in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, designated as a Ramsar site in 2002 for its extensive mudflats and mangrove wetlands.
24ID: GK-WILD-00358
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Tampara Lake (Ganjam), Ansupa Lake (Cuttack), and Hirakud Reservoir (Sambalpur) were added to the Ramsar wetland list in 2022 from which Indian state?
Verified Explanation
In August 2022, Tampara Lake, Ansupa Lake (Odisha's largest freshwater oxbow lake), and Hirakud Reservoir were declared Ramsar sites in Odisha.
25ID: GK-WILD-00361
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Pala Wetland (Pala Tipo), the largest natural freshwater lake in Mizoram and a designated Ramsar site, is located in the territory of the Mara Autonomous District Council in which district?
Verified Explanation
Pala Wetland is an oval freshwater lake in Siaha district of Mizoram within the Mara Autonomous District Council, designated as a Ramsar site in August 2022.
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