India has added two (02) more wetlands to the prestigious list of Ramsar sites in June 2025. Both the wetlands are in Rajasthan.
- With this addition, India now has a total of 91 Ramsar Sites.
India Added Two New Ramsar Sites: These are two Wetlands of International Importance-
- Menar in Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Khichan in Phalodi, Rajasthan
» With this addition, Rajasthan now has a total of Four (04) Ramsar Sites. Before this, Keoladeo National Park and Sambhar Lake are two more Ramsar sites in Rajasthan.
Menar Wetland Complex: (463.4 ha)
» Menar Wetland is a freshwater monsoon wetland complex formed by three ponds, Braham Talab, Dhand Talab and Kheroda Talab, and Agricultural land that connects the latter two.
- The farmland is flooded during the monsoon season, providing habitat for 110 species of waterbirds, 67 of which are migratory.
- Notable bird species at the site include the critically endangered white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and the long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus).
- Over 70 plant species are found, including mango trees (Mangifera indica) around Braham talab that host a large colony of Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus).
Khichan Wetland: (54.2 ha)
» Located in the northern Thar Desert, this site includes two water bodies, the Ratri Nadi (river) and the Vijaysagar Talab (pond), riparian habitats, and shrublands.
- This desert ecosystem supports drought-resistant plant species that provide habitat for more than 150 bird species.
- The Site is especially recognized for hosting large wintering flocks of migratory demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides virgo), making up over 22,000 individuals each year.
- Residents of the adjacent village work to mitigate threats to the cranes’ survival, by reducing mortalities from power line collisions and stray dog attacks.
- The Site attracts bird-watchers, tourists, students and scientists, drawn primarily by the large seasonal gathering of the cranes.
Background:
- India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India signed it on 1st February 1982.
- During 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during 2014 to 2022, the country has added 49 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites. Since 2014, 65 new Ramsar sites have been added across India.
- As of June 2025, there are a total of 91 Ramsar sites in India.
- Tamil Nadu has maximum no. of Ramsar sites (20 nos), followed by UP which has 10 nos. of Ramsar sites.