Wetlands in Rajasthan designated as Ramsar Site

India has added two new entrants to the list of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, taking the overall tally to 91.

Both the wetlands are located in the eastern state of Rajasthan, Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur.

The two other Ramsar Sites in Rajasthan are Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur and Sambhar Lake in Jaipur.

Khichan is located in the northern Thar Desert and comprises two water bodies, Ratri Nadi (river) and Vijaysagar Talab (pond). With an area of 54.2 ha, Khichan hosts a large number of migratory demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides virgo) in winter.

Menar, spread over 463.4 ha, is a freshwater monsoon wetland region with more than 1o0 species of waterbirds, of which 67 are migratory.

Two new additions to the list of wetlands happened on the 4th of June, a day before World Environment Day.

Commenting on the inclusion of two wetlands, India’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr Bhupender Yadav, mentioned that “On the eve of Environment Day, India has two new entrants to the list of Wetlands of International Importance.”

He further added, “The achievement is yet another testament to the fact that PM Shri Narendra Modi ji’s focus on environmental conservation is successfully helping India build a greener tomorrow. Congratulations, India, especially the people of Rajasthan!”

Interestingly, Minister Bhupender Yadav is a Member of Parliament from Rajasthan, a state known for its culture, forts and unique biodiversity.

The largest state in India, Rajasthan’s landscape includes the wide and inhospitable Thar Desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert), a major portion of the Aravalli mountain range and unique wetlands.

These wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide a wide range of environmental, economic, and social benefits to the people in the state. They act as natural water filters, help control floods, and recharge groundwater.

Wetlands in Rajasthan are rich in biodiversity, offering critical habitats for many species, including birds, fish, and amphibians. They also support livelihoods through fishing, agriculture, and eco-tourism, while playing a key role in mitigating climate change by storing carbon.

In 1981, Keoladeo National Park became the first wetland in India under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty signed in 1971 in Iran. It was designated along with Chilika Lake in Orissa.

Keoladeo National Park, formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is also among India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, hosting thousands of native, resident and migratory birds, especially during the winter season, when many different species fly to the Indian subcontinent to escape winter.