India has added two new sites to its list of Ramsar-designated wetlands, bringing the national total to 98. The announcement was made by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on February 6, 2026. The two new sites are Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhari-Dhand in the Kutch region of Gujarat.
Patna Bird Sanctuary spans approximately 1 square kilometre and is a critical habitat for migratory birds. At peak winter season, the sanctuary hosts over 60,000 birds of numerous species, making it an ecologically significant site in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The sanctuary serves as a crucial stopover on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory waterfowl.
Chhari-Dhand is a seasonal wetland located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, spread over roughly 80 square kilometres. It is internationally recognised as an important breeding ground for flamingos, particularly the Greater and Lesser Flamingo species. The site transforms seasonally, filling with water during the monsoon and attracting large flamingo colonies during the breeding season.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, adopted in 1971 in Iran, is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. India acceded to the convention in 1982 and has been steadily expanding its list of designated sites. Since 2014, India has seen a 276% expansion in the number of Ramsar-designated wetlands, reflecting the government's increased focus on wetland conservation under the Mission LiFE initiative and the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA).
Ramsar designation provides international recognition and can attract conservation funding. These sites are required to maintain their ecological character and are included in the Montreux Record if threatened. India's 98 Ramsar sites represent one of the largest networks in Asia.