Khichan and Menar wetlands from India added to Ramsar list

On the eve of World Environment Day, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, announced that two new sites in Rajasthan, Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur, have been designated as Ramsar sites. This addition increases India’s total count of Wetlands of International Importance to 91.

Menar Wetland Complex: A Haven for Waterbirds

• The Menar Wetland Complex is a freshwater monsoon wetland system composed of three ponds: Braham Talab, Dhand Talab, and Kheroda Talab.
• It also includes agricultural land connecting the latter two ponds.
• During the monsoon season, the flooded farmlands become a crucial habitat for 110 species of waterbirds, 67 of which are migratory. Notably, this site provides a home for the critically endangered white-rumped vulture and long-billed vulture.

Khichan Wetland: A Desert Oasis for Diverse Avian Life

• Located in the northern Thar Desert, the Khichan Wetland comprises two water bodies, Ratri Nadi (river) and Vijaysagar Talab (pond), along with riparian habitat and scrubland.
• This unique desert ecosystem supports drought-resistant plant species, providing a vital habitat for over 150 species of birds.

About the Ramsar Convention

• The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
• Its primary objective is to encourage the protection and conservation of wetlands globally by designating them as Wetlands of International Importance, also known as Ramsar sites.
• There are currently nine criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance, which include:
  • Specific criteria based on the presence of waterbirds, fish, and other ecological factors.
  • Sites containing representative, rare, or unique wetland types.
  • Sites of international importance for conserving biological diversity.