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2 New Ramsar sites: Menar (Udaipur) And Khichan (Phalodi)

2 New Ramsar sites: Menar (Udaipur) And Khichan (Phalodi)

09-06-2025

Context:

  1. Ahead of World Environment Day (June 5, 2025), India has officially added two new Ramsar Sites: Menar (Udaipur) and Khichan (Phalodi), both located in Rajasthan.
  2. This significant addition raises India’s total number of Ramsar wetlands to 91, cementing its position as the highest in Asia and 3rd globally in terms of the number of designated sites.

Newly Designated Ramsar Sites (June 2025)

A. Menar Wetland, Udaipur (Rajasthan)

  1. Nickname: Known as the "Bird Village" due to its rich avian diversity.
  2. Size: Covers an area of 104 hectares.
  3. Biodiversity: Supports over 200 bird species, including significant populations of Eurasian coot, herons, and spot-billed duck.
  4. Community-Driven Conservation: Local residents play a crucial role in its conservation by prohibiting hunting and fishing. It was declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2016, recognizing its avian significance.
  5. Tourism Value: Evolving as a growing eco-tourism destination, strategically located on the Udaipur-Chittorgarh route.

B. Khichan Wetland, Phalodi (Rajasthan)

  1. Known For: Particularly renowned for being a major wintering site for large flocks of migratory Demoiselle Cranes.
  2. Ecological Significance: Serves as a critical stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, a major migratory bird route.
  3. Community Role: Local traditions and community efforts are instrumental in protecting the migratory birds, highlighting successful human-wildlife coexistence.

What are Wetlands and Their Ecological Importance

  1. What Are Wetlands?
    • Wetlands are areas of land covered by water (either stagnant or flowing), such as marshes, lakes, bogs, and swamps, which may be permanent or seasonal.
    • They are distinct ecosystems based on the presence of water.
  2. Ecological Importance of Wetlands:
    • Biodiversity Hotbeds: Supporting a wide range of species, including birds, fish, amphibians, and plants.
    • Water Conservation: Crucial for groundwater recharge, purification of water, and regulation of floodwaters (natural sponges).
    • Climate Change Mitigation: Acting as significant carbon sinks, absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon.
    • Economic Benefits: Providing resources through fisheries, agriculture (e.g., rice paddies), and supporting local economies through tourism and livelihoods.

About Ramsar Sites and the Ramsar Convention:

  1. What is a Ramsar Site?
    1. A wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention.
  2. Ramsar Convention:
    1. An international agreement signed on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO.
    2. Focused on the sustainable use and conservation of wetlands globally.
    3. World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd to raise awareness about wetland conservation.

Earlier World Wetland Day 2025 Designations (February 2, 2025):

  1. Celebration Event: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) held World Wetlands Day 2025 celebrations at Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar Site in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
  2. Theme 2025: Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.
  3. New Designations: India celebrated the day by designating 4 new Ramsar sites:
    1. Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand's 1st Ramsar site)
    2. Theerthangal and Sakkarakottai (Tamil Nadu)
    3. Khecheopalri (Sikkim's 1st Ramsar site)
  1. Recognition Criteria: Ramsar Sites are recognized for providing critical ecosystem services, supporting significant biodiversity, and sustaining local livelihoods.
  2. Eligibility Criteria: A wetland can be designated as a Ramsar Site if it meets any 1 of 9 Ramsar Criteria, which include:
    1. Supporting rare or endangered species.
    2. Hosting significant bird populations.
    3. Being a critical life cycle habitat (e.g., for breeding or migration).
    4. Being an exemplary wetland ecosystem or possessing unique hydrological characteristics.

India's Status on Ramsar Sites (as of June 2025)

  1. Signatory Status: India became a Ramsar signatory on February 1, 1982.
  2. 1st Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were India's 1st Ramsar Sites, designated in 1981.
  3. Total Ramsar Sites (as of June 2025): 91 (after the addition of Menar and Khichan).
  4. Coverage Area: These sites collectively cover approximately 13.59 lakh hectares.
  5. India’s Global Ranking:
    • 1st in Asia by the number of sites.
    • 3rd Globally, after the UK (175 sites) and Mexico (142 sites).
  6. Top States by Number of Sites:
    • Tamil Nadu – 20
    • Uttar Pradesh – 10
    • Rajasthan – 4 (post Menar & Khichan addition)

Ramsar sites in India State-Wise:

State/UT

Number of Ramsar Sites

Names / Sites

Andhra Pradesh

1

Kolleru Lake

Assam

1

Deepor Beel

Bihar

3

Kanwar Lake, Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Nakti Bird Sanctuary

Goa

1

Nanda Lake

Gujarat

4

Khijadia, Nalsarovar, Thol Lake, Wadhvana Wetland

Haryana

2

Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Sultanpur NP

Himachal Pradesh

3

Chandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka Lake

Jammu & Kashmir (UT)

5

Hokersar, Hygam, Shallbugh, Surinsar-Mansar, Wular

Karnataka

4

Ranganathittu, Magadi Kere, Ankasamudra, Aghanashini Estuary

Kerala

3

Ashtamudi, Sasthamkotta, Vembanad-Kol

Madhya Pradesh

5

Bhoj Wetland, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur, Yashwant Sagar, Tawa Reservoir

Maharashtra

3

Lonar Lake, Nandur Madhameshwar, Thane Creek

Manipur

1

Loktak Lake

Mizoram

1

Pala Wetland

Odisha

6

Ansupa Lake, Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Chilika, Hirakud, Satkosia Gorge, Tampara Lake

Punjab

6

Beas Conservation Reserve, Harike, Kanjli, Keshopur-Miani, Nangal, Ropar

Rajasthan

4

Keoladeo NP, Sambhar Lake, Khichan, Menar

Tamil Nadu

20
  1. Vellode Bird Sanctuary
  2. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
  3. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
  4. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
  5. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary
  6. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex
  7. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
  8. Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
  9. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
  10. Vembanur Wetland Complex
  11. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
  12. Karikili Bird Sanctuary
  13. Pichavaram Mangrove
  14. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
  15. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest
  16. Point Calimere Wildlife Bird Sanctuary
  17. Kazhuveli Sanctuary
  18. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
  19. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary
  20. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary

Tripura

1

Rudrasagar Lake

Uttar Pradesh

10

Bakhira, Haiderpur, Nawabganj, Parvati Arga, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi, Sarsai Nawar, Sur Sarovar, Upper Ganga River

Uttarakhand

1

Asan Barrage

West Bengal

2

East Kolkata Wetlands, Sundarban Wetland

Sikkim

1

Khecheopalri Wetland

Jharkhand

1

Udhwa Lake

Ladakh (UT)

2

Tso Kar, Tsomoriri

 

ENSURE IAS Prelims Questions:

Q1. Which of the following is India’s oldest Ramsar Site, designated in 1981?
 a) Chilika Lake
 b) Keoladeo National Park
 c) Wular Lake
 d) Pong Dam Lake

Answer: a) Chilika Lake

Q2. Which of the following wetlands is known as the largest Ramsar Site in India by area?
 a) Sundarban Wetland
 b) Vembanad-Kol Wetland
 c) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
 d) Loktak Lake

Answer: a) Sundarban Wetland

Q4. The Keoladeo National Park, a Ramsar Site, is located in which state?
 a) Rajasthan
 b) Madhya Pradesh
 c) Uttar Pradesh
 d) Gujarat

Answer: a) Rajasthan

 

ENSURE IAS Mains Question:

Q2. The recent addition of Menar and Khichan wetlands as Ramsar Sites highlights the role of community-led conservation and ecological importance of wetlands. Discuss how such designations aid India’s efforts in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.

250 WORDS

 

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2 New Ramsar sites: Menar (Udaipur) And Khichan (Phalodi)

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