Wetlands are defined as areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed 6 meters. (Ramsar Convention, 1971, Article 1.1).

The state harbours approximately 3,388 wetlands which are home to various species of fishes, other aquatic animals and birds. These wetlands also act as holiday homes for migratory birds. Wetlands also serve the purpose of sponge by soaking the excess water during rainy season or any other occasion of excess precipitation, thereby preventing flood like situation. Most of wetlands are lying scattered in the floodplains of the mighty Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, their tributaries and distributaries.
Of the 3,388 wetlands recorded, 690 of them are lakes covering an area of 15494 hectares (ha) i.e. 0.20% of the total geographic area of Assam, 861 of them are cut-off meanders or ox-bow lakes spread over an area of 15460.60 ha, 1125 of them are waterlogged areas distributed unevenly over an area of 23431.50 ha and 712 number of swampy/marshy areas covering an area of 43433.50 ha.

Wetlands plays play significant role in the region’s economy as they are present in large numbers in the rural areas containing good amount of fishes and other aquatic fauna, promotes tourism since wetlands are habitat to a variety of migratory as well as domestic birds. Besides they have remarkable potential for supplying irrigation water to the nearby agricultural fields during the dry periods. Wetlands are also rich in minerals since there is no feeder channel to control the inflow and outflow of water.