Context:

• On June 4, 2025, India included two wetlands from Rajasthan—Khichan (Phalodi) and Menar (Udaipur)—in the list of Ramsar Sites of international importance.

Key Points:

• This announcement was made on the eve of World Environment Day, bringing the total number of Ramsar Sites in India to 91, which is the highest in Asia.

Menar Wetland Complex (Udaipur, Rajasthan)

• Nickname: Bird Village
• Size: 104 hectares
• Menar Wetland is a rain-fed freshwater wetland complex, comprising three main ponds—Brahm Talab, Dhandh Talab, and Kheda Talab—and the agricultural land connecting them.
• Location: Situated near Menar village in Udaipur district of Rajasthan.

Key Features:

• During the monsoon, the agricultural land becomes waterlogged, creating an ideal habitat for birds.
• More than 100 species of waterbirds are found here, of which 67 are migratory species.
• Critically endangered vulture species observed here include:
• White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
• Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus)
• Approximately 70+ plant species are found.
• A large colony of Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) resides in the mango trees around Brahm Talab.

Community Contribution:

• This site is a prime example of community conservation.
• Local people voluntarily prohibit hunting and fishing, making the area a safe haven for birds.

Khichan Wetland (Phalodi, Jodhpur, Rajasthan)

• Location: Khichan is a desert village located in the Phalodi region of Jodhpur district, Rajasthan. It is approximately 150 km west of Jodhpur city and about 3.4 km from Phalodi town.
• Fame: Khichan is world-renowned for its large population of migratory Demoiselle Cranes (Kurjaan), which visit here annually from August to March. This bird falls on the Central Asian Flyway.
• History: Local villagers started feeding the birds in the 1970s, which gradually increased the number of Demoiselle Cranes. In 2014, approximately 20,000 cranes visited the area.
• Bird Conservation: Local people built 'chugga ghar' (feeding houses) and arranged for grain, contributing to the birds' conservation.

Ramsar Sites in Rajasthan and India's Global Standing

• Rajasthan now has 4 Ramsar Sites, including Sambhar Lake (Nagaur and Jaipur) and Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Bharatpur).

Ramsar Convention

• An international treaty established in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran (under UNESCO), for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
• Its objective is to grant international importance to wetlands that provide crucial ecosystem services, support biodiversity, and sustain local livelihoods.

India and Ramsar Convention

• India signed the Ramsar Convention: February 1, 1982
• First Ramsar Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), 1981
• Total Ramsar Sites (as of June 2025): 91
• Total Coverage Area: Approximately 13.59 lakh hectares

India's Global Ranking:

• First in Asia
• Third worldwide (after UK – 175, Mexico – 142)

State-wise Top Position (as of June 2025):

• Tamil Nadu: 20 Ramsar Sites (highest in India)
• Uttar Pradesh: 10 Ramsar Sites