Ramsar Sites & Wetlands of Northeast India: State-wise List, Biodiversity, Importance & Conservation
Northeast India contains some of the most ecologically valuable freshwater wetlands in South Asia. From the floodplain beels of Assam and the floating phumdis of Loktak Lake in Manipur to highland lakes of the Eastern Himalaya and the forest-fringed Pala Wetland of Mizoram, wetlands form an essential part of the region's physical geography and biodiversity.
These wetlands provide habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and aquatic plants. They also support fisheries, agriculture, groundwater recharge, flood moderation, water storage, tourism and the livelihoods of thousands of local communities.
Some of the most important wetlands have received international recognition under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. As of September 2026, Northeast India has five Ramsar Sites: Glaw Lake, Deepor Beel, Loktak Lake, Pala Wetland and Rudrasagar Lake.
The newest addition is Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh, which became the state's first Ramsar Site and India's 101st Ramsar Site in August 2026.
Ramsar Sites of Northeast India at a Glance
| Ramsar Site | State | Area | Designation | Major Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaw Lake | Arunachal Pradesh | 129 ha | 2026 | Eastern Himalayan freshwater lake inside Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Deepor Beel | Assam | 4,000 ha | 19 August 2002 | Major Brahmaputra floodplain wetland and important waterbird habitat near Guwahati |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | 26,600 ha | 23 March 1990 | Largest Ramsar Site in Northeast India; famous for floating phumdis and the Sangai landscape |
| Pala Wetland | Mizoram | 1,850 ha | 31 August 2021 | Forest-fringed freshwater wetland and catchment in southern Mizoram |
| Rudrasagar Lake | Tripura | 240 ha | 8 November 2005 | Lowland sedimentation wetland supporting fisheries, waterbirds and groundwater recharge |
Based on the currently listed site areas, these five Ramsar Sites together cover approximately 32,819 hectares.
State-wise Ramsar Site Status in Northeast India
| State | Ramsar Sites | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | 1 | Glaw Lake |
| Assam | 1 | Deepor Beel |
| Manipur | 1 | Loktak Lake |
| Meghalaya | 0 | No Ramsar Site at present |
| Mizoram | 1 | Pala Wetland |
| Nagaland | 0 | No Ramsar Site at present |
| Sikkim | 0 | No Ramsar Site at present |
| Tripura | 1 | Rudrasagar Lake |
What Is a Ramsar Site?
A Ramsar Site is a wetland recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands.
The convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and provides an international framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
India became a Contracting Party to the Convention on 1 February 1982.
Ramsar designation does not mean that every form of human use must stop. The central principle is the wise use of wetlands, meaning that ecological character should be maintained while allowing compatible and sustainable human activities.
What Is a Wetland?
A wetland is an ecosystem where water is the principal factor controlling the environment and associated plant and animal life.
Wetlands may be permanently or seasonally inundated and can include:
- lakes;
- marshes;
- swamps;
- floodplain beels;
- oxbow lakes;
- peatlands;
- high-altitude lakes;
- riverine wetlands;
- reservoirs; and
- other shallow-water ecosystems.
Northeast India contains several of these wetland types because of its exceptionally diverse terrain, climate and river systems.
Why Northeast India Is Rich in Wetlands
Heavy Monsoon Rainfall
Northeast India receives some of the highest rainfall in India. Heavy monsoon precipitation fills floodplain depressions, lakes, marshes and seasonal wetlands.
Brahmaputra and Barak Floodplains
The Brahmaputra and Barak river systems continually reshape their floodplains through erosion, sedimentation, channel migration and flooding.
Abandoned river channels and natural depressions frequently develop into wetlands locally known as beels.
Intermontane Basins
The Manipur Valley is an intermontane basin where water accumulates in extensive low-lying depressions, creating lakes, marshes and wetlands locally known as pats.
Eastern Himalayan Lakes
Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh contain mountain and high-altitude lakes formed by glacial, tectonic and geomorphological processes.
Plateau and Hill Depressions
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura contain smaller natural lakes, marshes and artificial reservoirs associated with their hill-and-valley terrain.
1. Glaw Lake Ramsar Site – Arunachal Pradesh
Glaw Lake, also known as Glaw Tuwi, became Arunachal Pradesh's first Ramsar Site in 2026.
Its designation was particularly significant because it extended international wetland recognition into one of the most biologically diverse landscapes of the Eastern Himalaya.
Location
Glaw Lake is located in Lohit district within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary.
The freshwater lake is fed by perennial mountain streams and is surrounded by dense Eastern Himalayan vegetation.
Area
The designated Ramsar Site covers approximately 129 hectares.
Ecological Importance
The Glaw Lake landscape contains extraordinary biological diversity. More than 150 tree species and 49 orchid species have been recorded within the site and its catchment.
The broader Kamlang landscape supports:
- tiger;
- leopard;
- clouded leopard;
- snow leopard;
- water-dependent birds;
- reptiles; and
- amphibians.
The critically endangered White-bellied Heron is among the notable water-associated birds recorded from the wider wetland landscape.
Cultural Importance
Glaw Lake is also culturally important to local Mishmi communities, who regard the lake as sacred.
This connection between biodiversity and indigenous cultural values makes the wetland an important example of community-linked conservation in Northeast India.
2. Deepor Beel Ramsar Site – Assam
Deepor Beel is Assam's only Ramsar Site and one of the most important urban-adjacent freshwater wetlands in India.
It lies southwest of Guwahati and represents an abandoned channel and floodplain wetland associated with the Brahmaputra system.
Ramsar Details
- State: Assam
- Area: 4,000 hectares
- Designation: 19 August 2002
- Ramsar Site Number: 1207
Hydrological Importance
Deepor Beel serves as an important natural water-storage basin for the Guwahati metropolitan landscape.
The wetland receives runoff from surrounding catchments and is hydrologically linked with the larger Brahmaputra floodplain environment.
Biodiversity
The wetland supports large concentrations of resident and migratory waterbirds, particularly during winter.
Important birds associated with the wetland include:
- Spot-billed Pelican;
- Greater Adjutant;
- Lesser Adjutant;
- Baer's Pochard; and
- many ducks and other migratory waterbirds.
The Ramsar documentation has also recorded approximately 50 fish species, demonstrating the importance of Deepor Beel for freshwater biodiversity and local fisheries.
Major Conservation Concerns
Deepor Beel is located close to a rapidly growing metropolitan region, making it especially vulnerable to human pressure.
Major concerns include:
- urban expansion;
- waste and pollution;
- wetland encroachment;
- siltation;
- water hyacinth and other invasive vegetation;
- disturbance to waterbirds; and
- alteration of natural drainage.
3. Loktak Lake Ramsar Site – Manipur
Loktak Lake is the largest Ramsar Site in Northeast India by designated area and one of India's most distinctive freshwater ecosystems.
It is located mainly in the Manipur Valley and is famous for its floating masses of vegetation, soil and organic matter known as phumdis.
Ramsar Details
- State: Manipur
- Area: 26,600 hectares
- Designation: 23 March 1990
- Ramsar Site Number: 463
What Are Phumdis?
Phumdis are floating heterogeneous masses composed of vegetation, soil and organic matter.
They vary in thickness and size and are one of the defining ecological characteristics of Loktak Lake.
Keibul Lamjao National Park
The southern part of the Loktak landscape contains Keibul Lamjao National Park.
The floating wetland habitat of the national park supports the endangered Sangai or Manipur brow-antlered deer, making the Loktak-Keibul Lamjao landscape globally important for conservation.
Economic Importance
Loktak supports:
- fisheries;
- water supply;
- irrigation;
- hydroelectric power generation;
- aquatic vegetation;
- tourism; and
- local livelihoods.
Loktak and the Montreux Record
Loktak Lake was added to the Montreux Record in 1993.
The Montreux Record identifies Ramsar Sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur and where priority conservation attention is required.
Concerns historically associated with Loktak include changes in hydrology, catchment degradation, siltation, pollution, water hyacinth and alterations to phumdi dynamics.
4. Pala Wetland Ramsar Site – Mizoram
Pala Wetland is located in southern Mizoram and represents a very different wetland environment from the floodplain lakes of Assam or Manipur.
Ramsar Details
- State: Mizoram
- Area: 1,850 hectares
- Designation: 31 August 2021
- Ramsar Site Number: 2484
Location and Landscape
Pala Wetland lies in the Siaha region of southern Mizoram.
The Ramsar boundary includes both the freshwater wetland and surrounding forested catchment, illustrating the close ecological relationship between a lake and the landscape that supplies its water.
Hillocks covered by lush semi-evergreen forest surround the wetland.
Ecological Importance
Pala provides habitat for freshwater biodiversity and forest-dependent wildlife while also supporting hydrological regulation within its catchment.
Its forest-wetland combination makes it an important ecological unit within the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity region.
5. Rudrasagar Lake Ramsar Site – Tripura
Rudrasagar Lake is Tripura's only Ramsar Site.
It represents a lowland freshwater wetland formed largely through sedimentation and inflow from several small streams.
Ramsar Details
- State: Tripura
- Area: 240 hectares
- Designation: 8 November 2005
- Ramsar Site Number: 1572
Hydrology
Rudrasagar receives water from perennial streams and is connected ultimately with the Gomati River system.
The wetland plays an important role in water storage, groundwater recharge and local floodplain hydrology.
Fisheries
Freshwater fisheries are an important ecosystem service of Rudrasagar Lake and provide livelihoods to local communities.
Neermahal
The famous Neermahal water palace is situated within the Rudrasagar landscape, giving the wetland considerable cultural and tourism importance in addition to its ecological value.
Which Northeast States Do Not Yet Have a Ramsar Site?
As of September 2026, the following Northeast Indian states do not have a Ramsar Site:
- Meghalaya
- Nagaland
- Sikkim
This does not mean these states lack important wetlands. Each contains ecologically significant lakes, reservoirs, marshes and high-altitude wetland systems.
Major Wetlands of Northeast India Beyond the Ramsar List
The Ramsar list represents only a small part of Northeast India's wetland diversity.
The following are selected examples of important wetlands and lake systems. This is an illustrative rather than exhaustive list.
| State | Important Wetlands / Lakes | Broad Wetland Character |
|---|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | Glaw Lake and numerous Himalayan mountain lakes | Mountain and high-altitude freshwater wetlands |
| Assam | Deepor Beel, Maguri-Motapung Beel, Chandubi Lake, Son Beel and numerous floodplain beels | Floodplain lakes, oxbows, marshes and abandoned river channels |
| Manipur | Loktak Lake, Pumlen Pat, Ikop Pat and Waithou Pat | Intermontane valley lakes, marshes and floating wetland systems |
| Meghalaya | Umiam Lake and smaller plateau wetlands | Reservoir and plateau wetland systems |
| Mizoram | Pala Wetland and Tam Dil | Hill lakes and forest-fringed freshwater wetlands |
| Nagaland | Doyang Reservoir and Shilloi Lake | Reservoir and natural hill-lake ecosystems |
| Sikkim | Tsomgo Lake, Khecheopalri Lake, Gurudongmar Lake and Tso Lhamo | High-altitude and Himalayan lake wetlands |
| Tripura | Rudrasagar Lake and Dumbur/Gumti reservoir landscape | Lowland freshwater lakes, marshes and reservoirs |
Wetlands of Assam and the Brahmaputra Floodplain
Assam contains one of the most extensive concentrations of floodplain wetlands in Northeast India.
These wetlands are commonly known as beels.
Many beels originated as:
- abandoned river channels;
- oxbow lakes;
- floodplain depressions;
- seasonally inundated basins; and
- blocked drainage channels.
The Brahmaputra continually changes course and deposits enormous quantities of sediment. This dynamic fluvial environment constantly creates, modifies and sometimes destroys wetland habitats.
Beels are therefore an inseparable component of the geomorphology of the Brahmaputra Valley.
Wetlands of the Manipur Basin
The Manipur Valley represents another distinctive wetland region.
Its enclosed intermontane setting encourages the accumulation of water in low-lying basins.
Wetlands locally known as pats form an interconnected aquatic landscape.
Loktak is the largest and most famous, but other wetlands such as Pumlen, Ikop and Waithou also contribute to the valley's hydrology and biodiversity.
High-Altitude Wetlands of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
The high mountains of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh contain numerous lakes and marshes formed under Himalayan conditions.
High-altitude wetlands are ecologically distinctive because they experience:
- low temperatures;
- short growing seasons;
- snow and ice influence;
- strong seasonal variation;
- fragile alpine vegetation; and
- limited nutrient availability.
Lakes such as Tsomgo, Gurudongmar and Tso Lhamo illustrate the high-altitude wetland environment of Sikkim, while Glaw Lake demonstrates the ecological importance of Eastern Himalayan freshwater wetlands in Arunachal Pradesh.
Ecological Importance of Northeast India's Wetlands
Waterbird Habitat
Wetlands provide feeding, nesting, roosting and wintering habitat for numerous resident and migratory birds.
The Brahmaputra floodplain lies within important migratory bird pathways linking northern Asia with the Indian subcontinent.
Fish Biodiversity
Floodplain wetlands act as feeding and breeding grounds for freshwater fish.
During floods, connectivity between rivers and wetlands can allow fish to move between river channels and floodplain habitats.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Marshes, shallow-water zones and wetland margins support amphibians, turtles, snakes and other wetland-dependent fauna.
Aquatic Plants
Wetlands support submerged, floating and emergent vegetation, which provides habitat, food and breeding surfaces for aquatic organisms.
Importance of Wetlands for People
Flood Moderation
Floodplain wetlands can temporarily store excess water during periods of heavy rainfall and river flooding.
This natural storage can reduce the speed at which runoff enters downstream channels.
Groundwater Recharge
Some wetlands contribute to groundwater recharge by allowing water to infiltrate into underlying sediments.
Fisheries and Livelihoods
Fishing remains one of the most important livelihood activities associated with wetlands such as Loktak, Deepor Beel and Rudrasagar.
Agriculture
Seasonally exposed wetland margins and floodplains may support rice cultivation, vegetable production and livestock grazing.
Tourism
Wetlands such as Loktak, Rudrasagar, Umiam, Tsomgo, Khecheopalri and Doyang attract visitors because of their scenery, wildlife and cultural importance.
Cultural Value
Many wetlands have spiritual or cultural importance.
Glaw Lake is sacred to Mishmi communities, while Khecheopalri in Sikkim is widely revered within local Buddhist and indigenous traditions.
Wetlands and Climate Regulation
Wetlands influence local climate and the regional water cycle by storing water, supporting vegetation and moderating temperature and humidity.
Wetland soils and vegetation can also store carbon.
Maintaining natural wetland ecosystems therefore contributes to climate resilience as well as biodiversity conservation.
Major Threats to Wetlands of Northeast India
Encroachment and Land Conversion
Urban expansion, agriculture, infrastructure and settlement can reduce wetland area and disrupt natural drainage.
Pollution
Untreated sewage, solid waste, agricultural runoff and other pollutants degrade water quality.
Siltation
Deforestation, road construction and soil erosion increase sediment entering lakes and beels.
Excessive sedimentation can gradually reduce wetland depth and water-storage capacity.
Invasive Aquatic Plants
Water hyacinth and other invasive vegetation can obstruct open water, reduce oxygen levels and interfere with fisheries and navigation.
Hydrological Modification
Dams, embankments, roads and drainage channels can alter the seasonal movement of water between rivers and wetlands.
Unsustainable Fishing
Destructive fishing methods and excessive harvesting may reduce native fish populations.
Climate Change
Changes in rainfall, extreme floods, prolonged dry periods, glacial processes and temperature can influence the hydrology of both floodplain and high-altitude wetlands.
Wetlands and Flood Control in Northeast India
Wetlands function as natural components of a river's floodplain.
During periods of high discharge, floodwater spreads into surrounding depressions and beels where some of the water is temporarily stored.
When wetlands are filled, blocked or disconnected from rivers, this natural storage capacity may decline.
Wetland conservation is therefore an important component of integrated floodplain management, particularly in the Brahmaputra Valley.
Wetlands and Migratory Birds
Northeast India lies along important migration routes used by waterbirds travelling between breeding grounds in northern Eurasia and wintering grounds farther south.
Floodplain wetlands, reservoirs and shallow lakes provide resting and feeding sites during these migrations.
Deepor Beel, Doyang and numerous Assam floodplain wetlands are especially well known for seasonal concentrations of birds.
Wetland Conservation in India
Wetland conservation in India is supported through several legal, institutional and management mechanisms.
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 provide the principal regulatory framework for conservation and management of wetlands in India.
The framework includes Ramsar Sites as well as wetlands notified by governments under the Rules.
National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems
The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) supports conservation and management activities such as:
- pollution control;
- catchment treatment;
- shoreline protection;
- desilting where appropriate;
- biodiversity conservation;
- weed management;
- community participation;
- wetland delineation; and
- integrated management planning.
State Wetland Authorities
State Wetland Authorities play an important role in identifying, documenting, notifying and managing wetlands at the state level.
Ramsar Sites of Northeast India for Competitive Exams
| Question Point | Answer |
|---|---|
| Newest Ramsar Site of Northeast India | Glaw Lake, Arunachal Pradesh |
| India's 101st Ramsar Site | Glaw Lake |
| First Ramsar Site of Arunachal Pradesh | Glaw Lake |
| Ramsar Site of Assam | Deepor Beel |
| Ramsar Site of Manipur | Loktak Lake |
| Largest Ramsar Site in Northeast India | Loktak Lake – 26,600 ha |
| Famous floating wetland vegetation | Phumdis of Loktak Lake |
| Ramsar Site on Montreux Record | Loktak Lake |
| Ramsar Site of Mizoram | Pala Wetland |
| Ramsar Site of Tripura | Rudrasagar Lake |
| Water palace associated with a Ramsar wetland | Neermahal – Rudrasagar Lake |
| States without Ramsar Sites as of September 2026 | Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Ramsar Sites are there in Northeast India?
As of September 2026, Northeast India has five Ramsar Sites located in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
What are the five Ramsar Sites of Northeast India?
The five sites are Glaw Lake, Deepor Beel, Loktak Lake, Pala Wetland and Rudrasagar Lake.
Which is the newest Ramsar Site in Northeast India?
Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh is the newest Ramsar Site in Northeast India. It became Arunachal Pradesh's first Ramsar Site in 2026.
Which is the largest Ramsar Site in Northeast India?
Loktak Lake in Manipur is the largest Ramsar Site in Northeast India by designated area, covering approximately 26,600 hectares.
Which is Assam's Ramsar Site?
Deepor Beel near Guwahati is Assam's Ramsar Site. It was designated in 2002 and covers approximately 4,000 hectares.
Which Ramsar Site of Northeast India is on the Montreux Record?
Loktak Lake was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 because of concerns about changes in its ecological character.
Does Sikkim have a Ramsar Site?
No. As of September 2026, Sikkim does not have a Ramsar Site, although it contains several ecologically important Himalayan lakes and high-altitude wetlands.
Does Meghalaya have a Ramsar Site?
No. Meghalaya does not currently have a Ramsar Site, although the state contains important reservoirs, streams, marshes and smaller plateau wetlands.
Does Nagaland have a Ramsar Site?
No. Nagaland does not currently have a Ramsar Site. Important wetland landscapes include Doyang Reservoir and Shilloi Lake.
Why are wetlands important in Northeast India?
Wetlands provide biodiversity habitat, fisheries, water storage, flood moderation, groundwater recharge, tourism opportunities and livelihoods while also supporting migratory birds and aquatic ecosystems.
Conclusion
The Ramsar Sites and wetlands of Northeast India represent some of the region's most important aquatic ecosystems.
The five internationally recognized wetlands demonstrate the extraordinary environmental diversity of the region. Deepor Beel represents the dynamic Brahmaputra floodplain, Loktak Lake represents the unique wetland landscape of the Manipur Basin, Pala Wetland reflects the forested hill environment of Mizoram, Rudrasagar represents the lowland wetland landscape of Tripura, and Glaw Lake adds the freshwater ecosystems of the Eastern Himalaya to the region's Ramsar network.
Yet Ramsar Sites represent only a fraction of Northeast India's wetlands. Thousands of beels, pats, marshes, reservoirs and high-altitude lakes contribute to water security, fisheries, wildlife conservation and local livelihoods.
The future of these ecosystems depends on maintaining natural water flows, protecting catchments, controlling pollution and encroachment, managing invasive species and ensuring that local communities remain central to wetland conservation.
References
Convention on Wetlands – Ramsar Secretariat. Country Profile for India and Ramsar Sites Information Service. Used for current Ramsar status, site numbers, designation dates, areas and ecological descriptions.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Ramsar Convention, Ramsar Sites of India, Wetlands Division and National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems.
Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Official announcement of Glaw Lake as Arunachal Pradesh's first Ramsar Site and India's 101st Ramsar Site, August 2026.
Wetlands International South Asia. Information on Glaw Lake, its 129-hectare Ramsar boundary, ecological setting and community importance.
Ramsar Sites Information Service. Official information sheets for Deepor Beel, Loktak Lake, Pala Wetland and Rudrasagar Lake.
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. Government of India regulatory framework for wetland conservation and management.
National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems – Guidelines. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
R. L. Singh (ed.). India: A Regional Geography. Used for broader regional understanding of Northeast India's river plains, basins, mountain environments and physical geography.
Taher, M. and Ahmed, P. Geography of North-East India. Used for regional context on drainage, floodplains, physical geography and natural resources.
Research Note: Ramsar status is time-sensitive. Current designation information in this article has been checked against 2026 Government of India and Convention on Wetlands records rather than relying on older textbooks or secondary lists.