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Ramsar sites in Tamil Nadu: the full list of 20
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Tamil Nadu has 20 Ramsar sites as of March 2026, the highest of any Indian state. Point Calimere was the first, designated in 2002, and the other 19 were added from 2022 onwards. The latest additions at the time of writing are Sakkarakottai and Therthangal bird sanctuaries in Ramanathapuram district, in 2025. Because the figure changes whenever a wetland is designated, quote it with its year.
List of Ramsar sites in Tamil Nadu
| Ramsar site | District | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary | Nagapattinam | Coastal sanctuary; first in the state (2002) |
| Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve | Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi | Marine, coral reefs and seagrass |
| Vembannur Wetland Complex | Kanniyakumari | Wetland complex |
| Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex | Kanniyakumari | Wetland complex |
| Vellode Bird Sanctuary | Erode | Village tank |
| Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary | Chengalpattu | Village tank; very old sanctuary |
| Karikili Bird Sanctuary | Chengalpattu | Tank sanctuary |
| Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest | Chennai and Chengalpattu | Urban marsh |
| Pichavaram Mangrove | Cuddalore | Mangrove forest |
| Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary | Tiruvarur | Tank sanctuary |
| Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary | Tiruvarur | Tank sanctuary |
| Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary | Tirunelveli | Tank sanctuary |
| Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary | Ramanathapuram | Tank sanctuary |
| Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary | Ramanathapuram | Tank sanctuary |
| Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary | Ariyalur | Tank sanctuary |
| Longwood Shola Reserve Forest | Nilgiris | Montane shola forest wetland |
| Nanjarayan Tank Bird Sanctuary | Tiruppur | Tank sanctuary |
| Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary | Viluppuram | Coastal wetland |
| Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary | Ramanathapuram | Added 2025 |
| Therthangal Bird Sanctuary | Ramanathapuram | Added 2025 |
The state government says 19 of the 20 were added in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Older sources may give fewer sites, and may name a site's district differently.
What a Ramsar site is
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty signed in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, and India joined in 1982. A wetland is nominated by the country, assessed against nine criteria such as supporting rare species or large waterbird numbers, and then added to the List of Wetlands of International Importance. World Wetlands Day is observed on 2 February. Designation does not stop human use altogether; it commits the country to the wise use of the wetland. See bird sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu for the species.
Short notes on most-asked items
- First. Point Calimere (2002).
- Most in India. Tamil Nadu has more Ramsar sites than any other state.
- Marine. Only the Gulf of Mannar is a marine site; Pichavaram is a mangrove site.
- City site. Pallikaranai Marsh in Chennai is one of the few Ramsar sites inside a large Indian city.
- District with the most. Ramanathapuram has four bird-sanctuary sites: Chitrangudi, Kanjirankulam, Sakkarakottai and Therthangal.
- Kanniyakumari. Two wetland complexes, Vembannur and Suchindram Theroor.
- Hill wetland. Longwood Shola in the Nilgiris is the montane site.
India's national total
Do not mix up the national tally and the state tally. India's total is close to a hundred sites as of 2026 and keeps growing. Old books quote much lower numbers, so use the year in the question to decide which figure to give.
How to revise
Learn the 20 sites in groups: Chengalpattu (2), Tiruvarur (2), Ramanathapuram (4 bird sanctuaries plus the Gulf of Mannar), Kanniyakumari (2), and one each for the rest. The national parks of Tamil Nadu page explains the Gulf of Mannar park, and the TNPSC geography guide covers environment topics.
Frequently asked questions
How many Ramsar sites are there in Tamil Nadu?
Twenty as of March 2026, the most of any Indian state. The list can grow, so confirm with the Tamil Nadu State Wetlands Authority or the Ramsar Sites Information Service.
Which was the first Ramsar site in Tamil Nadu?
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary in Nagapattinam district, designated in 2002.
Which are the latest Ramsar sites added in Tamil Nadu?
Sakkarakottai and Therthangal bird sanctuaries in Ramanathapuram district, added in 2025.
Which Ramsar site is inside Chennai?
Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest.
Official sources
- Tamil Nadu State Wetlands Authority
- Ramsar Sites Information Service
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Counts change with each designation, so check these pages before an exam.
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