Udaipur, June 5, 2025 - Just four months after Udaipur city was declared a Ramsar City, another major recognition has come its way — Menar has now been officially designated as a Ramsar Site. A proposal for this recognition was submitted back in 2023, and the announcement came yesterday, June 4, the eve of World Environment Day. The news was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Udaipur was declared a Ramsar City on January 24, 2025.

Apart from Menar, Khichan, located in Phalodi district and famous for Siberian Cranes, has been added to the list of internationally important wetlands under the Ramsar Sites designation.

With this recognition, birdwatching tourism is set to become a more integral part of travel packages for both domestic and international visitors. Previously, Menar held the status of a CIRT Wetland, but this new designation marks a significant boost to its global ecological standing. The Ramsar status will bring global visibility to Menar, leading to a rise in tourism and greater efforts toward lake and wetland conservation.

Menar is situated about 45 kilometres from Udaipur city and attracts a large number of migratory birds annually. More than 200 species of migratory birds arrive every year from Siberia, Russia, Mongolia and other countries, and stay for 5-6 months. Menar is also known as the Bird Village and serves as a major attraction for bird lovers and environmentalists. The local community has played a significant role in bird conservation and it has now received its due recognition.

What is a Ramsar Site?

A Ramsar Site is a wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international environmental treaty signed on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran. The convention was initiated by UNESCO to emphasise the ecological significance of wetlands and their role in climate regulation. It came into effect in 1975, and sites recognised under this convention are granted global attention and protection for their biodiversity and ecological services.

Before this addition, Rajasthan had only two Ramsar Sites - Keoladeo National Park, designated in October 1981, and Sambhar Lake, designated in 1990. Now, with Menar and Khichan, the State’s total Ramsar sites have increased to four and India's to 91.

With Media Inputs