“Wetlands are the kidneys of the environment — filtering pollutants, absorbing floods, and sustaining biodiversity.”
Indore and Udaipur have made history by becoming India’s first two Ramsar Wetland Cities under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This prestigious global recognition highlights India’s commitment to ecological conservation, sustainable urban development, and biodiversity protection.
Indore was recognized for its conservation efforts at Sirpur Lake, while Udaipur — the “City of Lakes” — was acknowledged for its five major wetlands: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. With this achievement, India joins an elite list of 43 accredited cities from 17 countries worldwide.
🌍 What is the Ramsar Convention?
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran — making it one of the oldest environmental treaties.
Key Objectives:
- Conserve wetlands of international importance
- Promote sustainable use of all wetlands
- Support international cooperation for transboundary wetlands
Wetland City Accreditation (WCA): Introduced in 2015 at COP12, this program recognizes urban areas that prioritize wetland conservation in their planning. Cities must demonstrate effective wetland management, community engagement, and long-term conservation commitment.
Think of Ramsar as an “international club” for wetland protection. Countries that sign up agree to protect their important wetlands. The “Wetland City Accreditation” is like a special certificate for cities that go above and beyond — proving they treat their lakes and marshes as valuable assets, not just empty land to build on.
🏆 Why Were Indore & Udaipur Chosen?
Both cities demonstrated exceptional environmental leadership and effective wetland management:
| City | Key Wetland(s) | Reason for Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Indore (MP) | Sirpur Lake (Ramsar Site) | Transformed into thriving bird sanctuary & eco-tourism hub; critical habitat for migratory birds |
| Udaipur (Rajasthan) | Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, Doodh Talai | “City of Lakes” with proactive conservation; lakes regulate microclimate & support livelihoods |
Indore’s Sirpur Lake:
- Designated Ramsar Site — international recognition
- Critical habitat for migratory birds (biodiversity hotspot)
- Conservation transformed it into eco-tourism destination
Udaipur — The City of Lakes:
- Home to 5 major wetlands within urban limits
- Lakes regulate city’s microclimate and water supply
- Support local livelihoods through fishing and tourism
- Strong heritage connection — lakes integral to city’s identity
Udaipur’s 5 Lakes — “PFRSD”: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, Doodh Talai. Remember: “People Find Rajasthan’s Scenic Doodh (milk) Talai” — referencing the white palace reflections on the lakes!
💧 Urban Wetlands & Sustainable Development
Wetlands are often called the “kidneys of the environment” due to their natural filtration and regulatory functions:
Urban wetlands are disappearing rapidly due to encroachment and pollution. Yet they provide “free” ecosystem services worth billions — flood control, water purification, cooling effects. The recognition of Indore and Udaipur challenges other cities: Is filling up that lake for a mall really worth losing these benefits?
📋 Wetland City Accreditation Process
The Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) program was established under the Ramsar Convention to recognize cities integrating wetlands into urban planning.
6 Key Criteria for Accreditation:
- ✅ Strong wetland protection policies
- ✅ Public awareness and education programs
- ✅ Effective wetland restoration projects
- ✅ Sustainable land-use planning
- ✅ Community engagement and participation
- ✅ Commitment to long-term conservation goals
Since its introduction at COP12 (2015), 43 cities from 17 countries have been awarded this honor. Indore and Udaipur now represent India on this prestigious global list.
Don’t confuse: “Ramsar Site” and “Ramsar Wetland City” are different! A Ramsar Site is a specific wetland designated for conservation (India has 75). A Ramsar Wetland City is an urban area accredited for overall wetland-friendly planning (India now has 2 — Indore & Udaipur).
🇮🇳 India’s Commitment to Wetland Conservation
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) leads India’s wetland conservation efforts:
Key Initiatives:
- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: Legal framework for wetland protection
- 75 Ramsar Sites: India has the highest number of Ramsar sites in South Asia
- National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP): Restoration and community participation
- Amrit Dharohar Scheme: Focus on wetland conservation and eco-tourism
Notable Ramsar Sites in India:
- Sundarbans (West Bengal) — largest mangrove forest
- Chilika Lake (Odisha) — largest brackish water lagoon
- Loktak Lake (Manipur) — floating phumdis
- Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) — bird sanctuary
- Vembanad-Kol (Kerala) — longest lake in India
India’s urban wetlands face a classic “tragedy of the commons” — everyone benefits from them, but no one takes responsibility. Discuss: How can cities balance development pressures with wetland conservation? What role should citizen groups play? Compare Udaipur’s lake-centric identity with cities that have lost their wetlands to encroachment.
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Indore and Udaipur are India first two cities to receive Ramsar Wetland City accreditation.
The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
Sirpur Lake is the key wetland that earned Indore its Ramsar Wetland City status.
Udaipur has 5 major wetlands: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
India has 75 Ramsar Sites, the highest number in South Asia.
