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Ramsar Convention

International Framework for Wetland Protection

The Ramsar Convention (formally the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat) is an international treaty providing the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Key details

Adopted: February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran; came into force in 1975.
India acceded: February 1, 1982.
Ramsar definition of wetland (Article 1.1): "areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres." — This definition expressly includes artificial and temporary wetlands.
India currently has 94 Ramsar sites (as of 2026), the largest count in Asia.
The Ramsar Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites facing adverse ecological change; India has had sites listed and delisted from it.
Ramsar COP (Conference of the Parties) meets every three years; hosted in Gland, Switzerland (Ramsar Secretariat).