The Asan Conservation Reserve (ACR) is a human-engineered freshwater wetland and a type of protected area located in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Spanning 444.4 hectares, it is situated at the confluence of the Asan and Yamuna Rivers. The wetland was formed by the construction of the Asan Barrage in 1967, which created a reservoir that became a critical habitat for migratory birds.
The reserve was declared in 2005 under Section 36A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making it the first Conservation Reserve in the country. This designation was intended to protect the habitat and wildlife corridor, particularly for the over 330 species of birds it hosts. The ACR is strategically located along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), serving as a vital wintering ground for migratory waterbirds like the Ruddy Shelduck.
The reserve connects to the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, as it was designated a Ramsar Site on July 21, 2020, becoming Uttarakhand's first such site. A recent development occurred in August 2026, when the Supreme Court clarified a ruling concerning a ban on mining activities within a 10 km radius of the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve. This ruling, which requires prior approval from the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for mining in the buffer zone, highlights the reserve's elevated status as a protected wetland.