A wetland that has been recognized by the Ramsar Convention as being of international significance is called a Ramsar Site. The Convention on Wetlands, an international accord, focuses primarily on the protection and wise use of wetlands. It was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, giving rise to its name, and it encourages global collaboration in the protection of wetlands and the resources they offer.
How many Ramsar Sites are in India?
The Ramsar zones of India are a veritable gold mine of bird variety for birdwatchers. Because they attract a variety of migratory species, the huge marshes are excellent birding locations. The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, for instance, is known for its spectacular avian population, including the critically endangered Siberian Crane and the majestic Sarus Crane.
As of August 2026, India boasts a total of 101 Ramsar sites—wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. These sites play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Besides the earlier Ramsar sites, the most recently added sites are:
- Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh) – declared in 2026.
- Chhari‑Dhand (Kutch, Gujarat) – declared in 2026.
- Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh) – declared in 2026.
- Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal, Uttar Pradesh) – declared in June 2026 as India’s 100th Ramsar site.
- Glaw Lake (Arunachal Pradesh) – declared in August 2026, the first Ramsar site of Arunachal Pradesh.
Complete MCQ Set – Ramsar Sites in India (2026)
1. When is World Wetlands Day observed every year?
A. 1 January
B. 2 February
C. 5 June
Answer: B. 2 February
2. What was the theme of World Wetlands Day 2026?
A. Wetlands and Water Security
B. Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage
C. Wetlands for a Sustainable Future
Answer: B. Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage
3. Which Ramsar Site hosted the main event of World Wetlands Day 2026 in India?
A. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, New Delhi
B. Chilika Lake
C. Loktak Lake
Answer: A. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, New Delhi
4. Which Ramsar Site was declared as India’s 100th Ramsar Site in June 2026?
A. Patna Bird Sanctuary
B. Chhari‑Dhand
C. Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal, Uttar Pradesh)
Answer: C. Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal, Uttar Pradesh)
5. Which is the first Ramsar Site of Arunachal Pradesh, declared in August 2026?
A. Namdapha National Park
B. Dihang‑Debang Biosphere Reserve
C. Glaw Lake
Answer: C. Glaw Lake
An Overview of National Parks in Assam
6. How many Ramsar Sites are there in India as of August 2026?
A. 80
B. 90
C. 101
Answer: C. 101
7. Which is the latest Ramsar Site declared in India (2026)?
A. Sur Sarovar
B. Glaw Lake
C. Loktak Lake
Answer: B. Glaw Lake
8. Which state has the maximum number of Ramsar Sites in India (2026)?
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Kerala
Answer: B. Tamil Nadu
9. Which is the largest Ramsar Site in India?
A. Chilika Lake
B. Sundarban Wetland
C. Loktak Lake
Answer: B. Sundarban Wetland
10. Which are the smallest Ramsar Sites in India (2026)?
A. Renuka Wetland
B. Loktak Lake
C. Vembannur Wetland Complex
Answer: A. Renuka Wetland
11. Which Ramsar Site is located in Kutch, Gujarat and was added in 2026?
A. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
B. Chhari‑Dhand
C. Thol Lake
Answer: B. Chhari‑Dhand
12. Which Ramsar Site in Uttar Pradesh was declared in 2026?
A. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
B. Patna Bird Sanctuary
C. Sur Sarovar
Answer: B. Patna Bird Sanctuary
13. Which Ramsar Site in Uttar Pradesh was declared along with Patna Bird Sanctuary in 2026?
A. Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary
B. Surha Tal
C. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
Answer: A. Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary
14. Which sites were recognized as the first Ramsar Sites in India (1981)?
A. Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan
B. Sundarban Wetland and East Kolkata Wetlands
C. Ashtamudi Wetland and Sasthamkotta Lake
Answer: A. Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan
15. Which is the largest Ramsar Site in the world?
A. Giri‑Tumba‑Main Bomba (DR Congo)
B. Queen Maud Gulf (Canada)
C. Rio Negro (Brazil)
Answer: C. Rio Negro (Brazil)
16. Which country globally has the highest number of Ramsar Sites?
A. UK
B. India
C. China
Answer: A. UK
17. What is India’s global position in terms of Ramsar Sites (2026)?
A. 3rd
B. 4th
C. 8th
Answer: B. 4th
18. The Ramsar Site ‘Thol Lake’ is situated in which state?
A. Gujarat
B. Haryana
C. Assam
Answer: A. Gujarat
19. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary is in which state?
A. Punjab
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Karnataka
Answer: A. Punjab
20. India signed the Ramsar Convention on which date?
A. 1 April 2002
B. 1 January 1986
C. 1 February 1982
Answer: C. 1 February 1982
21. What is a Ramsar Site?
A. A wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention
B. A type of bird sanctuary
C. A protected forest area
Answer: A. A wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention
22. The ‘Pong Dam Lake’ is a Ramsar Site of India. In which state is it located?
A. Haryana
B. Punjab
C. Himachal Pradesh
Answer: C. Himachal Pradesh
23. What is the name of the only Ramsar Site in Manipur?
A. Loktak Lake
B. Renuka Wetland
C. Pong Dam Lake
Answer: A. Loktak Lake
24. In which Ramsar Site of India did the lake’s color change to pink due to microbes?
A. Lonar Lake, Maharashtra
B. Tso Kar Wetland, Ladakh
C. Keetham Lake, Uttar Pradesh
Answer: A. Lonar Lake, Maharashtra
25. India signed the Ramsar Convention on which date?
A. Pangong Tso
B. Hemis National Park
C. Tso Kar and Tsomoriri Lake
Answer: C. Tso Kar and Tsomoriri Lake
