On the eve of World Surroundings Day, India on Wednesday added two extra wetlands—Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur—to the Ramsar Checklist of Wetlands of Worldwide Significance . With these additions, India’s whole depend of Ramsar Websites now stands at 91.
Bhupender Yadav, Union Cupboard Minister for Surroundings, Forest and Local weather Change and Lok Sabha MP from Alwar introduced the information on X (previously Twitter). “This achievement is one more testomony to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s steadfast dedication to environmental conservation,” Yadav wrote on X. “Congratulations, India—particularly the individuals of Rajasthan—for this important step in direction of a greener tomorrow.”
Nice information! India’s strides in environmental conservation are taking place with nice vigour and are powered by public participation. https://t.co/D7kJbg5kSX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2025
Prime Minister Modi additionally welcomed the information, describing it as an indication of “India’s strides in environmental conservation… powered by public participation and taking place with nice vigour.”
(Credit score: X/@byadavbjp)
What are wetlands?
Wetlands are areas the place water covers the soil or is current both seasonally or all year long. These ecosystems are very important for sustaining biodiversity, mitigating floods, and filtering pollution. They function habitats for a wealthy number of plant and animal species—particularly birds, fish, and amphibians—and are essential to the well being of the planet.
Wetlands additionally help native economies by agriculture, fishing, and tourism, and so they play an integral position in sustaining the water cycle and storing carbon, thereby serving to to fight local weather change.
What’s a Ramsar Website?
A Ramsar Website is a wetland designated as being of worldwide significance beneath the Ramsar Conference on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty adopted in 1971 within the Iranian metropolis of Ramsar. The conference goals to make sure the conservation and clever use of wetlands to take care of their ecological character and advantages for present and future generations.
Websites awarded Ramsar standing are recognised globally for his or her environmental, financial, and cultural worth.