Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Indore (Madhya Pradesh) have been recognised as India's first "Wetland Cities" under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, after the Convention on Wetlands announced the new Wetland Cities on January 24, 2025. The accreditation places both cities on the global map of urban centres committed to the sustainable management and conservation of wetland ecosystems within and around their boundaries.
Udaipur's accreditation is based on five iconic wetlands: Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. These interconnected water bodies have sustained the city's ecology, drinking water supply, and cultural heritage for centuries. The city's management framework for these wetlands — covering restoration, pollution control, and community engagement — met the rigorous Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) criteria.
Indore's recognition draws from its integrated management of the Sirpur wetland and associated water bodies under a progressive urban conservation framework. The city's efforts to restore degraded wetlands and integrate them into urban planning were key factors in the accreditation.
India now holds the third-largest Ramsar network globally, with 96 Ramsar sites covering about 13.6 lakh hectares in 2025. The Wetland City Accreditation, established at COP12 through Resolution XII.10, recognises cities that demonstrate meaningful relationships between urban communities and their wetlands.
The recognition has significant implications for tourism, water security, and biodiversity conservation in Udaipur. Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar, major urban wetlands, now receive international conservation visibility. The Rajasthan government has committed to a comprehensive urban wetland management plan to sustain the accreditation and protect these ecologically vital water bodies.