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Home On This Day World Environment Day: Two wetlands in Rajasthan added to Ramsar sites

World Environment Day: Two wetlands in Rajasthan added to Ramsar sites

On World Environment Day, Rajasthan’s Khichan and Menar wetlands gain Ramsar status, boosting India’s total to 91 internationally important wetlands.

By Ground Report Desk
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Basai Wetland, Gurugram: Essential habitat for birds and wildlife

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On the eve of World Environment Day, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur have been added to the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance.

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Yadav, a Member of Parliament from Alwar, shared on X that India had “two new entrants to the list of Wetlands of International Importance … This addition takes our tally to 91”, as he congratulated the people of Rajasthan and the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the latest additions. "India’s strides in environmental conservation are happening with great vigour and are powered by public participation," he posted on social media platform X.

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What are Ramsar Sites?

The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is an international treaty promoting wetland protection worldwide. It defines wetlands broadly, including marshes, peatlands, and shallow marine areas, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary.

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Wetlands are vital for human survival. They provide freshwater, food, building materials, and serve as habitats for countless plant and animal species. They also offer critical ecosystem services like flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation.

The Convention has nine criteria to identify wetlands of international importance. These include rare or unique wetland types, sites important for biodiversity conservation, and habitats crucial for waterbirds and fish.

Menar Wetland Complex is a freshwater monsoon wetland made up of three ponds—Braham talab, Dhand talab, and Kheroda talab—and the agricultural land linking them. During the monsoon, flooded farmland provides habitat for 110 waterbird species, including 67 migratory species.

Notable birds here include critically endangered white-rumped and long-billed vultures. The site also supports over 70 plant species and hosts a large colony of Indian flying foxes in mango trees near Braham talab.

Menar is recognized for community-led conservation. Villagers actively protect wildlife by preventing poaching and fishing, according to Ramsar’s official information.

Khichan Wetland, located in the northern Thar Desert, includes two water bodies—Ratri nadi (river) and Vijaysagar talab (pond)—along with riparian and scrub habitats. It supports drought-resistant plants and over 150 bird species.

Khichan is especially known for its large wintering flocks of migratory demoiselle cranes, which number over 22,000 each year. Local residents help protect the cranes by reducing threats like power line collisions and stray dog attacks.

The site attracts bird-watchers, tourists, students, and scientists, drawn mainly by the impressive seasonal gatherings of these cranes.

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Ground Report Desk
Tags: Ramsar sites Ramsar Site
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