Ramsar Sites in Uttar Pradesh: A Complete Guide to the State’s Wetlands of International Importance

Uttar Pradesh, located in the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains, hosts a diverse network of wetlands that support migratory birds, aquatic species, and millions of people dependent on freshwater ecosystems. These wetlands have been recognised under the Ramsar Convention as sites of international importance due to their ecological, hydrological, and biodiversity value. The Ramsar sites of Uttar Pradesh include river stretches, marshes, ox-bow lakes, and reservoirs that play a crucial role in conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. At present, the state has ten Ramsar sites, each contributing uniquely to wetland conservation in northern India.

What is a Ramsar Site?

While most are unaware, a Ramsar site is designated as of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Signed in Ramsar, 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 neglected natural formations, even though they sustain well-developed ecosystems. Although there are a few criteria that must be met to be certified as a ‘Ramsar Site’.

According to a recent survey by the Ramsar Convention, as of 2025, the number of Ramsar sites globally has increased to a whopping 2,531, of which 96 are in India. If you still wish to know more about what Ramsar Sites are, then you can read our article on lesser-known Ramsar Sites in Northeast India, wherein we talk in detail about the criteria for the wetlands, and more. Here are 10 Ramsar Sites in Uttar Pradesh you need to check out: 

1. Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)

The Upper Ganga River was designated as a Ramsar site due to its significance as a riverine wetland supporting exceptional aquatic biodiversity. This stretch of the Ganga provides habitat for endangered and vulnerable species such as the Ganges River Dolphin, gharial, freshwater turtles, and a wide variety of fish species. The riverbanks support diverse riparian vegetation that helps stabilise the river channel and maintain ecological balance. The Upper Ganga plays a vital role in nutrient cycling, groundwater recharge, fisheries, and maintaining the overall health of the river system, making it one of the most important freshwater ecosystems in the region.

2. Haiderpur Wetland

Haiderpur Wetland is a large wetland system formed after the construction of barrages on the Ganga and Solani rivers and lies within the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary. It qualifies as a Ramsar site because of its importance as a wintering and stopover habitat for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway. The wetland supports a wide range of fauna, including waterbirds, reptiles such as pythons and monitor lizards, amphibians, and mammals like nilgai and jackals. Dominated by aquatic and marsh vegetation, Haiderpur plays a key role in bird conservation, flood moderation, and sustaining wetland biodiversity in western Uttar Pradesh.

3. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary

Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest natural floodplain wetlands in eastern Uttar Pradesh and is centred around Bakhira Tal. It was designated as a Ramsar site for supporting large congregations of migratory waterfowl during winter. The wetland hosts numerous species of ducks, geese, waders, raptors, and the Sarus crane, along with a rich diversity of fish and aquatic plants. Bakhira is ecologically important for breeding, feeding, and roosting of birds and also contributes to flood control, fisheries, and livelihoods of local communities dependent on wetland resources.

4. Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake)

Sur Sarovar, also known as Keetham Lake, is a man-made reservoir near Agra that has been recognised as a Ramsar site for its role in supporting migratory and resident waterbirds. The wetland includes open water, marshes, and surrounding grasslands that provide suitable habitats for species such as the Sarus crane, ducks, geese, and birds of prey. Aquatic plants and fish form the base of the wetland’s food web. Sur Sarovar is important for biodiversity conservation, urban ecological balance, water storage, environmental education, and nature-based recreation.

5. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary

Samaspur Bird Sanctuary consists of a group of perennial marshes and water bodies in Rae Bareli district and was designated as a Ramsar site due to its high avifaunal diversity. The sanctuary supports hundreds of resident and migratory bird species, including several threatened raptors and waterbirds. It also hosts a variety of freshwater fish and aquatic vegetation. Samaspur plays an important ecological role in groundwater recharge, maintaining fisheries, regulating water availability, and conserving biodiversity in an agricultural landscape.

6. Saman Bird Sanctuary

Saman Bird Sanctuary is centred around a seasonal ox-bow lake formed from an abandoned river channel. It qualifies as a Ramsar site because it serves as a major wintering ground for migratory waterbirds, including the vulnerable Sarus crane. The wetland supports grassland and aquatic vegetation that provide nesting and feeding habitats. Seasonal flooding helps replenish nutrients and water in surrounding areas. Saman is ecologically significant for bird migration, wetland-dependent agriculture, and sustaining freshwater ecosystems in central Uttar Pradesh.

7. Sandi Bird Sanctuary

Sandi Bird Sanctuary is a freshwater marsh wetland known for its rich aquatic vegetation and bird diversity. It was designated as a Ramsar site because it regularly supports large populations of migratory ducks, waders, and cranes. The shallow waters and emergent plants create ideal feeding and roosting conditions for waterbirds. The sanctuary also supports grazing and seasonal livelihood activities. Ecologically, Sandi Bird Sanctuary contributes to wetland biodiversity conservation and strengthens migratory bird networks across the region.

8. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary comprises shallow marshes and grasslands sustained by monsoon rainfall and canal systems. It has been recognised as a Ramsar site for supporting significant populations of resident and migratory birds, including threatened vultures, storks, and raptors. The wetland also provides habitat for small mammals and reptiles. Nawabganj plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity within intensively cultivated landscapes and highlights the importance of wetlands as refuges in human-dominated regions.

9. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary

Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary consists of freshwater ox-bow lakes and associated marshlands and was designated as a Ramsar site due to its importance as a feeding and resting habitat for waterbirds. The wetland supports a range of resident and migratory bird species and sustains aquatic vegetation essential for ecological stability. Although smaller in scale, Parvati Arga contributes to regional biodiversity conservation, hydrological balance, and habitat connectivity across the Gangetic plains.

10. Sarsai Nawar Jheel

Sarsai Nawar Jheel is a permanent marsh wetland and one of the smallest Ramsar sites in Uttar Pradesh. It was designated for its importance as a breeding and feeding ground for the Sarus crane and other threatened waterbirds. The wetland exists within an agricultural landscape, demonstrating long-standing coexistence between farming practices and wetland conservation. Ecologically, Sarsai Nawar Jheel plays a vital role in sustaining bird populations and preserving freshwater habitats in central Uttar Pradesh.