Published: 1 September 2025PIBEnvironment
Udaipur and Indore Become India's First Ramsar Wetland Accredited Cities
Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Indore (Madhya Pradesh) have become the first two Indian cities to receive international recognition as accredited Wetland Cities under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The accreditation was formally announced at the 64th meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee in January 2025, and certificates were issued at the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) held from July 23–31, 2025 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. A total of 31 cities worldwide received this designation in the 2025 cycle.
Udaipur, popularly known as the 'City of Lakes,' is surrounded by five major wetlands — Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai — which play a crucial role in local ecology, biodiversity, and water management. The city met the Ramsar criteria through long-term lake restoration projects, active community engagement in wetland protection, and integration of wetland management into urban planning. The accreditation is valid for six years and promotes eco-tourism and sustainable urban development.
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Q: What is the significance of Udaipur and Indore becoming India's first Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities in 2025 for urban ecology and lake conservation?
Answer (50 words):
Certified at COP15 in Victoria Falls alongside thirty-one global cities, the accreditation recognises Udaipur's five lakes—Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar and Doodh Talai. Valid six years, it rewards community-led restoration and wetland-integrated urban planning, promoting eco-tourism and positioning both cities as replicable models for sustainable urban water governance.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Indian cities first received Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation?
Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Indore (Madhya Pradesh) became the first Indian cities to receive the Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation.
Where and when were the certificates formally issued?
Certificates were issued at the 15th Conference of Contracting Parties (COP15) held from July 23–31, 2025 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
How many cities worldwide received the Ramsar Wetland City designation in 2025?
A total of 31 cities worldwide received the designation in the 2025 cycle.
What are the five major wetlands of Udaipur?
Udaipur is surrounded by five major wetlands: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
How did Udaipur qualify for the Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation?
Udaipur qualified through long-term lake restoration projects, active community engagement in wetland protection, and integration of wetland management into urban planning. The accreditation is valid for six years.
