On the eve of World Environment Day, India on Wednesday added two more wetlands—Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur—to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance . With these additions, India’s total count of Ramsar Sites now stands at 91.
Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Lok Sabha MP from Alwar announced the news on X (formerly Twitter). “This achievement is yet another testament to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s steadfast commitment to environmental conservation,” Yadav wrote on X. “Congratulations, India—especially the people of Rajasthan—for this significant step towards a greener tomorrow.”
Great news! India’s strides in environmental conservation are happening with great vigour and are powered by public participation. https://t.co/D7kJbg5kSX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2025
Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the news, describing it as a sign of “India’s strides in environmental conservation… powered by public participation and happening with great vigour.”
(Credit: X/@byadavbjp)
What are wetlands?
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present either seasonally or throughout the year. These ecosystems are vital for maintaining biodiversity, mitigating floods, and filtering pollutants. They serve as habitats for a rich variety of plant and animal species—especially birds, fish, and amphibians—and are crucial to the health of the planet.
Wetlands also support local economies through agriculture, fishing, and tourism, and they play an integral role in maintaining the water cycle and storing carbon, thereby helping to combat climate change.
What is a Ramsar Site?
A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The convention aims to ensure the conservation and wise use of wetlands to maintain their ecological character and benefits for current and future generations.
Sites awarded Ramsar status are recognised globally for their environmental, economic, and cultural value.