Udaipur Named Ramsar Wetland Accredited City — Rajasthan's First and India's Milestone
Udaipur became the first city in Rajasthan to receive Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation, recognised for five urban wetlands. It is Rajasthan's third Ramsar connection after Sambhar Lake (1990) and Keoladeo National Park (1981).
Key Points for RAS
- Udaipur becomes Rajasthan's first and India's co-first Ramsar Wetland City Accredited city
- Five qualifying wetlands: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai
- Ramsar WCA established in 2015 to recognise cities managing wetlands sustainably in urban planning
- Rajasthan's third Ramsar connection after Sambhar Salt Lake (1990) and Keoladeo National Park/Bharatpur (1981)
- Accreditation supports eco-tourism, water security, biodiversity, and international research collaboration
Udaipur, the City of Lakes in Rajasthan, has been officially recognised as a Ramsar Wetland City — becoming the first city in Rajasthan and one of the first two cities in India to receive this prestigious international accreditation. The recognition was conferred at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (July 23-31, 2025), and formally presented at the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards ceremony in New Delhi on September 9, 2025. Udaipur qualified based on five urban wetlands: Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar Lake, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. These water bodies are integral to Udaipur's ecology, tourism economy, and urban hydrology. The Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation (WCA), established in 2015, recognises cities that sustainably manage wetlands within or near their boundaries, integrate wetland conservation into urban planning, and foster community engagement. Rajasthan's connection to Ramsar sites runs deep — the state already hosts Sambhar Salt Lake (designated in 1990, India's largest saline lake) and Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur, designated in 1981, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and critical winter habitat for migratory birds). Udaipur's accreditation strengthens Rajasthan's position as a wetland conservation leader and opens avenues for eco-tourism development, international research collaboration, and enhanced urban biodiversity. The accreditation will also support Udaipur's water security by incentivising stronger legal protection and community stewardship for its iconic lakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 Which five wetlands of Udaipur qualify it for Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation?
Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar Lake, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
2 What are Rajasthan's existing Ramsar connections before Udaipur's WCA?
Sambhar Salt Lake (designated 1990, India's largest saline lake) and Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur (designated 1981, UNESCO World Heritage Site).
3 When was the Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) scheme established?
The WCA was established in 2015 under the Ramsar Convention to recognise cities that sustainably manage and integrate wetlands into urban planning.
4 Where and when was the Ramsar WCA formally conferred on Udaipur?
It was conferred at COP15 of the Ramsar Convention in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (July 23-31, 2025), and certificates were presented at the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ceremony in New Delhi on September 9, 2025.