India strengthens its wetland legacy
India Adds Two More Wetlands to Ramsar List: On World Environment Day 2025, India added two new wetlands—Khichan and Menar in Rajasthan—to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. This move raised India’s total tally of Ramsar sites to 91, the highest in Asia. For a country teeming with ecological diversity, this is a proud moment that strengthens its commitment to conservation and wise use of wetlands.
About World Environment Day
Every year, June 5 marks World Environment Day, observed globally since 1973 and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The 2025 theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, sheds light on the growing threat of plastic waste to ecosystems like wetlands.
Rajasthan now with four Ramsar sites
With Khichan and Menar joining the prestigious list, Rajasthan now has four Ramsar-designated wetlands. The other two include:
- Sambhar Salt Lake, India’s largest inland saltwater lake
- Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur, famous for migratory birds
These areas serve as critical habitats for thousands of bird species and aquatic life, especially during the migratory seasons.
The Ramsar Convention explained
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar and came into force in 1975. It is a global treaty aimed at protecting wetlands across the world. India joined this effort on February 1, 1982, and has since expanded its conservation scope.
Nearly 90% of UN member states are now Contracting Parties to this convention. To become a Ramsar Site, a wetland must meet at least one of nine criteria, ranging from its biodiversity value to its uniqueness in supporting life during adverse conditions.
Significance of Khichan and Menar
Both Khichan and Menar Wetlands are bird paradises. Known especially for the large flocks of Demoiselle Cranes in Khichan and diverse waterfowl in Menar, these sites are a hotspot for both local and international birdwatchers. Their inclusion boosts eco-tourism and ensures legal protection under the Ramsar framework.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
India Adds Two More Wetlands to Ramsar List:
| Topic | Details |
| Total Ramsar Sites in India (2025) | 91 |
| Newly Added Sites | Khichan and Menar (Rajasthan) |
| World Environment Day | Celebrated on 5th June since 1973 |
| 2025 Theme | Beat Plastic Pollution |
| Ramsar Convention Origin | Ramsar, Iran – 1971 |
| India Joined Ramsar Convention | February 1, 1982 |
| Ramsar Sites in Rajasthan | Sambhar Salt Lake, Keoladeo Ghana NP, Khichan, Menar |
| Highest Ramsar Sites in Asia | India |
| Criteria for Ramsar Designation | Must meet at least one of nine ecological or biological criteria |
