4 Lesser-Known Ramsar Sites in Northeast India you Need to Explore!

Just like me, if you’re sick of hearing the term ‘hidden gem’, then this article is meant for you. North-East India, or the Seven Sisters, is a treasure trove of nature. May it be the living root bridges of Meghalaya or the expansive tea estates of Darjeeling, North-East India has a lot to offer! If you, too, wish to explore the natural beauty of North-East India, then this is your sign to ditch the regular not-so-hidden gems and discover these four Ramsar Sites! But before we begin, are you aware of what the term ‘Ramsar Sites’ means? If not, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

What are Ramsar Sites? 

While most are unaware, a Ramsar site is a site considered to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention Treaty. Signed in the Ramsar city of Iran in 1971, this convention, also known as the ‘Convention of Wetlands’, is an environmental protection treaty under the auspices of UNESCO. Most of the time, Wetlands are a neglected natural formation, even though they sustain and have their well-developed ecosystem. Although there are a few criteria that need to match the standards to be certified as a ‘Ramsar Site’. The nine categories are as follows:

Criterion 1

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.

Criterion 2

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.

Criterion 3

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.

Criterion 4

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.

Criterion 5

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.

Criterion 6

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.

Criterion 7

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of wetland benefits and/or values and thereby contributes to global biological diversity.

Criterion 8

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it is an important source of food for fish, a spawning ground, a nursery and/or a migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend. 

Criterion 9

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-dependent nonavian animal species.

According to a recent survey, as of 2025, the number of Ramsar sites globally has increased to a whopping 2,531, out of which 89 are present in India. In this article, we cover the 4 Ramsar Sites in the North-East of India, which play a huge role in maintaining the balance in the ecosystem and are home to a few endangered species of flora and fauna. So, the next time you plan on visiting the Seven Sisters, these Ramsar Sites need to be on your travel bucket list. 

1. Deepor Beel, Assam

The only Ramsar Site in Assam, the ‘Deepor Beel’, which translates to ‘The Lake of Elephants’, is a former channel of the great Brahmaputra River. A permanent freshwater lake and a Ramsar-certified wetland, the Deepor Beel is a lesser-known tourist attraction in Assam. While most tourists flock to the Kaziranga National Park or the Manas National Park, this freshwater lake is the humble abode of many migratory birds, endangered flora and fauna and boasts a diverse ecosystem of more than 50 species of fish and other aquatic animals.

Being the only stormwater storage basin of Guwahati in Assam, it supports the livelihoods of 1,200 villages. During the harsh winter months, the Deepor Beel becomes home to a few endangered migratory birds like the Spot-Billed Pelican, Lesser Greater Adjutant Stork and the Baer's Pochard. For hundreds of years, the locals residing near the banks of the lake have flourished and lived off the natural resources of the Deepor Beel. The next time you visit Assam, ditch your regular national parks and visit the evergreen Deepor Beel, where you can spot a flock of migratory birds and rich flora. 

2. Loktak Lake, Manipur 

All of us know India has diversity in every form. May it be culture, tradition or the geographical landscape, India has it all. But, do you know, India is home to the world’s only floating National Park? Yes! As mind-boggling as it sounds, it is a ‘hidden gem’ in the heart of Manipur. The Loktak Lake, situated in Manipur, is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It also houses the world’s only floating national park — the Keibul Lamjao National Park. Located in the central plains of Manipur, the Loktak Lake was designated as a Ramsar site of international importance in the year, 1990.

The Loktak Lake boasts a unique ecosystem, where one can spot a circular pattern of floating islands in the lake. These are locally called as ‘Phumdi’. It is the largest phumdi, which forms the Keibul Lamjao National Park. The phumdi’s are masses of vegetation, soil, weeds and a few other fauna floating on the surface of the lake. Other than the rich fauna and the unique wildlife the lake boasts, it is also the primary source of water for 55 local villages and hamlets. If you’re a nature lover who aspires to explore the unexplored, then this lake needs to be on your itinerary next time you visit Manipur. 

3. Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura

Declared as a certified Ramsar Site in 2005, it is the only recognised site in the northeastern state of Tripura. The Rudrasagar Lake is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Tripura. While most tourists come here to admire the surreal beauty of this natural formation, most return unaware that they’ve visited a spot which is of utmost international importance. The Rudrasagar Lake is a natural reservoir and gets its water supply from three perennial streams, Nora-cherra, Durlavnarayan-cherra, and Kamtali-cherra.

Other than the rich biodiversity the lake boasts, it has an abundance of commercially fished freshwater fish like Ompok pabda, Labeo bata and others. It is also a habitat for the IUCN Red-listed Three-striped Roof Turtle. The lake is the source of water for many locals and farmers who live around the lake. A fun fact that most are unaware of is, the lake hosts a beautiful palace, the Neelmahal Palace. A royal former palace, built by King Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur. 

4. Pala Wetland, Mizoram 

The Pala Wetland, also known as the largest wetland in the state of Mizoram. Out of all the Ramsar sites in Northeast India, the Pala Wetland is the newest addition to this list. Pala Wetland, also known as the Palak Lake or Pala Tipo, is a rich hub of biodiversity. As it falls under the Indo-Burma geographical location, one can find a variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Pala Wetland. As it is a low-lying marshy wetland, it is hospitable for many animals like the sambar deer, wild pig, barking deer, hoolock gibbon ( an endangered species) and many more such fauna. As the Pala Wetland is revered by the local Mara community, it is considered a sacred biodiversity spot. Although the spot is a designated Ramsar site, it is at a high risk of human encroachment and destruction due to infrastructure and hunting.