💧 Geography · Water and protected areas

Dams, wetlands and tiger reserves

How India stores and shares its water, from ancient tanks to multi-purpose dams — and every Ramsar wetland and tiger reserve in the country, from the official registers.

Ramsar Sites101

Tiger reserves58

Area of all tiger reserves84487.83 sq km

Maps show India’s boundaries as officially depicted by the Government of India. Wetland dots are at the centre point the Ramsar register gives; tiger reserves are shown by state.

🚰 Water resources

📘 NCERT Class 10, Contemporary India II, Ch. 3 Water Resources ↗

Multi-purpose projects

Bhakra–Nangal project Satluj–Beas basin

Its water is used both for hydel power and irrigation.

Hirakud project Mahanadi basin

Integrates water conservation with flood control. Its reservoir is also a Ramsar Site.

Sardar Sarovar Dam Narmada, in Gujarat

One of India’s largest water projects, covering four states — Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan — and meant for drought-prone and desert areas.

Temples of modern India

Jawaharlal Nehru proudly called dams the ‘temples of modern India’.

A water dispute

The Krishna–Godavari dispute arose from objections by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to Maharashtra diverting more water at Koyna for a multipurpose project.

Traditional water harvesting

Guls or kuls Western Himalayas

Diversion channels for farming in the hills.

Inundation channels Flood plains of Bengal

Channels to irrigate fields with flood water.

Khadins and johads Jaisalmer and other parts of Rajasthan

Fields turned into rain-fed storage that lets water stand and moisten the soil.

Tankas Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer (Rajasthan)

Underground tanks for drinking water, fed by rooftop rainwater.

Bamboo drip irrigation Meghalaya

A 200-year-old system of carrying stream and spring water through bamboo pipes, down to 20–80 drops a minute at the plant.

Rooftop harvesting made compulsory Tamil Nadu

The first state to make rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory for all houses.

Rooftop harvesting in Shillong Shillong, Meghalaya

The most common practice in Shillong, which faces water shortage though Cherrapunji and Mawsynram nearby get the world’s highest rainfall.

Gendathur village Mysuru, Karnataka

Nearly 200 households harvest rooftop rainwater to meet their water needs.

Hydraulic works of the past

1st century BCESringaverapura near Allahabad had a sophisticated system channelling the flood water of the Ganga.
Mauryan timesDams, lakes and irrigation systems were built extensively under Chandragupta Maurya.
Early IndiaSophisticated irrigation works have been found in Kalinga (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka) and Kolhapur (Maharashtra).
11th centuryBhopal Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes of its time, was built.
13th–14th centuryAlauddin Khalji built the tank at Hauz Khas, Delhi, to supply water to the Siri Fort area.

💧 Ramsar wetlands of India

All 101 Ramsar Sites in India — wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention — by state, with the date each was designated and its area. Latest designation: 21-01-2026. ✓ Ramsar Sites Information Service (Ramsar Convention) ↗

Andhra Pradesh (1)

Kolleru Lake	19-08-2002	90,100 ha

Arunachal Pradesh (1)

Glaw Lake	21-01-2026	128.98 ha

Assam (1)

Deepor Beel	19-08-2002	4,000 ha

Bihar (6)

Kabartal Wetland	21-07-2020	2,620 ha
Nagi Bird Sanctuary	11-10-2023	205.82 ha
Nakti Bird Sanctuary	11-10-2023	332.61 ha
Gokul Jalashay	13-05-2025	448 ha
Udaipur Jheel	13-05-2025	319 ha
Gogabil Lake	13-05-2025	86.63 ha

Chhattisgarh (1)

Kopra Jalashay	08-08-2025	210 ha

Goa (1)

Nanda Lake	08-06-2022	42.01 ha

Gujarat (5)

Nalsarovar	24-09-2012	12,000 ha
Wadhvana Wetland	05-04-2021	630 ha
Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary	05-04-2021	699 ha
Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary	13-04-2021	511.75 ha
Chhari Dhand	16-06-2025	22,700 ha

Haryana (2)

Sultanpur National Park	25-05-2021	142.52 ha
Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary	25-05-2021	412 ha

Himachal Pradesh (3)

Pong Dam Lake	19-08-2002	15,662 ha
Chandertal Wetland	08-11-2005	49 ha
Renuka Wetland	08-11-2005	20 ha

Jammu and Kashmir (5)

Wular Lake	23-03-1990	18,900 ha
Hokera Wetland	08-11-2005	1,375 ha
Surinsar-Mansar Lakes	08-11-2005	350 ha
Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve	08-06-2022	1,675 ha
Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve	08-06-2022	801.82 ha

Jharkhand (1)

Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary	08-01-2024	935.50 ha

Karnataka (4)

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary	15-02-2022	517.70 ha
Aghanashini Estuary	14-02-2023	4,801 ha
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve	14-02-2023	54.38 ha
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve	10-03-2023	98.76 ha

Kerala (3)

Ashtamudi Wetland	19-08-2002	6,140 ha
Sasthamkotta Lake	19-08-2002	373 ha
Vembanad-Kol Wetland	19-08-2002	151,250 ha

Ladakh (2)

Tsomoriri	19-08-2002	12,000 ha
Tso Kar Wetland Complex	17-11-2020	9,577 ha

Madhya Pradesh (5)

Bhoj Wetland	19-08-2002	3,201 ha
Sirpur Wetland	07-01-2022	161 ha
Sakhya Sagar	07-01-2022	248 ha
Yashwant Sagar	07-01-2022	822.90 ha
Tawa Reservoir	08-01-2024	20,050 ha

Maharashtra (3)

Nandur Madhameshwar	21-06-2019	1,437 ha
Lonar Lake	22-07-2020	427 ha
Thane Creek	13-04-2022	6,521.08 ha

Manipur (1)

Loktak Lake	23-03-1990	26,600 ha

Mizoram (1)

Pala Wetland	31-08-2021	1,850 ha

Odisha (6)

Chilika Lake	01-10-1981	116,500 ha
Bhitarkanika Mangroves	19-08-2002	65,000 ha
Satkosia Gorge	12-10-2021	98,196.72 ha
Ansupa Lake	12-10-2021	231 ha
Tampara Lake	12-10-2021	300 ha
Hirakud Reservoir	12-10-2021	65,400 ha

Punjab (6)

Harike Lake	23-03-1990	4,100 ha
Kanjli	22-01-2002	183 ha
Ropar	22-01-2002	1,365 ha
Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary	26-09-2019	116 ha
Beas Conservation Reserve	26-09-2019	6,428.92 ha
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve	26-09-2019	343.90 ha

Rajasthan (5)

Keoladeo National Park	01-10-1981	2,873 ha
Sambhar Lake	23-03-1990	24,000 ha
Menar Wetland Complex	19-02-2025	463.41 ha
Khichan wetland	19-02-2025	54.19 ha
Siliserh lake	07-07-2025	315.97 ha

Sikkim (1)

Khachoedpalri wetland	15-07-2024	172 ha

Tamil Nadu (20)

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary	19-08-2002	38,500 ha
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary	08-11-2021	72.04 ha
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary	08-11-2021	260.47 ha
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve	08-04-2022	52,671.88 ha
Vembannur Wetland Complex	08-04-2022	19.75 ha
Vellode Bird Sanctuary	08-04-2022	77.19 ha
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary	08-04-2022	43.77 ha
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary	08-04-2022	40.35 ha
Karikili Bird Sanctuary	08-04-2022	58.44 ha
Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest	08-04-2022	1,247.54 ha
Pichavaram Mangrove	08-04-2022	1,478.64 ha
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary	08-04-2022	96.89 ha
Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex	08-04-2022	94.23 ha
Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary	08-04-2022	112.64 ha
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary	24-05-2023	453.72 ha
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest	24-05-2023	116.01 ha
Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary	16-01-2024	5,151.60 ha
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary	16-01-2024	125.87 ha
Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary	15-07-2024	230.49 ha
Therthangal Bird Sanctuary	15-07-2024	29.30 ha

Tripura (1)

Rudrasagar Lake	08-11-2005	240 ha

Uttar Pradesh (13)

Upper Ganga River	08-11-2005	26,590 ha
Sarsai Nawar Jheel	19-09-2019	161.27 ha
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary	19-09-2019	224.60 ha
Sandi Bird Sanctuary	26-09-2019	308.54 ha
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary	03-10-2019	799.37 ha
Saman Bird Sanctuary	02-12-2019	526.30 ha
Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary	02-12-2019	722 ha
Sur Sarovar	21-08-2020	431 ha
Haiderpur Wetland	13-04-2021	6,908 ha
Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary	29-06-2021	2,894 ha
Patna Bird Sanctuary	04-12-2025	108.86 ha
Sheikha Jheel Bird Sanctuary	19-01-2026	40.31 ha
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary	19-01-2026	3,432 ha

Uttarakhand (1)

Asan Conservation Reserve	21-07-2020	444.40 ha

West Bengal (2)

East Calcutta Wetlands	19-08-2002	12,500 ha
Sundarban Wetland	30-01-2019	423,000 ha

🐅 Tiger reserves of India

All 58 tiger reserves in NTCA’s list, with the year each was notified as a tiger reserve and its total area (core + buffer). Names are as NTCA lists them. ✓ National Tiger Conservation Authority — list of tiger reserves ↗

Tiger reserve	State	Notified	Core (sq km)	Total (sq km)
Bandipur	Karnataka	2007	872.24	1,456.30
Corbett — With the Amanagarh buffer in Uttar Pradesh (2012, 80.60 sq km).	Uttarakhand	2010	821.99	1,288.31
Kanha	Madhya Pradesh	2007	917.43	2,051.79
Manas	Assam	2008	526.22	2,837.10
Melghat	Maharashtra	2007	1,500.49	2,768.52
Palamau	Jharkhand	2012	414.08	1,129.93
Ranthambore	Rajasthan	2007	1,113.36	1,411.29
Simlipal	Odisha	2007	1,194.75	2,750
Sunderban	West Bengal	2007	1,699.62	2,584.89
Periyar	Kerala	2007	881	925
Sariska	Rajasthan	2007	881.11	1,213.34
Buxa	West Bengal	2009	390.58	757.90
Indravati	Chhattisgarh	2009	1,258.37	2,799.07
Namdapha	Arunachal Pradesh	1987	1,807.82	2,052.82
Nagarjunsagar Sagar	Andhra Pradesh	2007	2,595.72	3,296.31
Dudhwa	Uttar Pradesh	2010	1,093.79	2,201.77
Kalakad Mundanthurai	Tamil Nadu	2007	895	1,601.54
Valmiki	Bihar	2012	598.45	899.38
Pench	Madhya Pradesh	2007	411.33	1,179.63
Tadobha Andhari	Maharashtra	2007	625.82	1,727.59
Bandhavgarh	Madhya Pradesh	2007	716.90	1,536.93
Panna	Madhya Pradesh	2007	576.13	1,598.10
Dampa	Mizoram	2007	500	988
Bhadra	Karnataka	2007	492.46	1,064.29
Pench – MH	Maharashtra	2007	257.26	741.22
Pakke	Arunachal Pradesh	2012	683.45	1,198.45
Nameri	Assam	2000	320	464
Satpura	Madhya Pradesh	2007	1,339.26	2,133.31
Anamalai	Tamil Nadu	2007	958.59	1,479.87
Udanti Sitanadi	Chhattisgarh	2009	851.09	1,842.54
Satkoshia	Odisha	2007	523.61	963.87
Kaziranga	Assam	2007	625.58	1,173.58
Achanakmar	Chhattisgarh	2009	626.19	914.02
Kali	Karnataka	2007	814.88	1,097.51
Sanjay Dhubri	Madhya Pradesh	2011	812.57	1,674.50
Mudumalai	Tamil Nadu	2007	321	688.59
Nagarhole	Karnataka	2007	643.35	1,205.76
Parambikulam	Kerala	2009	390.89	643.66
Sahyadri	Maharashtra	2012	600.12	1,165.57
Biligiri Ranganatha Temple	Karnataka	2007	359.10	574.82
Kawal	Telangana	2012	892.23	2,015.44
Sathyamangalam	Tamil Nadu	2013	793.49	1,408.40
Mukundara	Rajasthan	2013	417.17	759.99
Nawegaon Nagzira	Maharashtra	2013	653.67	1,894.94
Amrabad	Telangana	2015	2,166.37	2,611.39
Pilibhit	Uttar Pradesh	2014	602.79	730.25
Bor	Maharashtra	2014	138.12	816.27
Rajaji	Uttarakhand	2015	819.54	1,075.17
Orang	Assam	2016	79.28	492.46
Kamlang	Arunachal Pradesh	2017	671	783
Srivilliputhur Megamalai	Tamil Nadu	2021	641.86	1,016.57
Ramgarh Vishdhari	Rajasthan	2022	481.91	1,501.89
Ranipur	Uttar Pradesh	2022	230.31	529.36
Veerangana Durgavati	Madhya Pradesh	2023	1,414.01	2,339.12
Dholpur – Karauli	Rajasthan	2023	599.64	1,057.88
Guru Ghasidas – Tamor Pingla	Chhattisgarh	2024	2,049.23	2,829.39
Ratapani	Madhya Pradesh	2024	763.81	1,271.47
Madhav	Madhya Pradesh	2025	375.23	1,651.39

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How we check: the water section is written from NCERT Class 10 (Water Resources) and our build fails unless key phrases are found in the chapter. The Ramsar list — names, dates, areas and centre points — is the Ramsar Convention’s own register; each site’s state is worked out from its centre point on India’s official outline. The tiger reserves are NTCA’s official list, and our build re-checks every name against NTCA’s page. Both lists grow over time; the dates above show how current they are.