Kichan and Menar Wetlands

News: Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur have been designated as Ramsar sites. Kichan and Menar Wetlands

About Kichan and Menar Wetlands

Menar Wetland

• Location: It is located in the Menar and Kheroda villages in Vallabhnagar taluka, Udaipur District of Rajasthan.
• The Menar Wetland Complex 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.
• Importance
  • Migratory birds: During the monsoon season the farmland floods provide habitat for 110 species of waterbirds of which 67 are migratory.
    • Among the notable bird species at the site are the critically endangered white-rumped vulture and long-billed vulture.
  • Plant species: Over 70 plant species are found, including mango trees around Braham talab that host a large colony of Indian flying foxes.
• Community participation: It is recognized as one of the best examples of community-led conservation in Rajasthan, with residents playing a key role in conserving wildlife by preventing poaching or fishing.

Khichan Wetland

• Location: Khichan Wetland is located in the Phalodi tehsil of Phalodi district, Rajasthan, India, in the northern Thar Desert.
• It comprises two water bodies – Ratri nadi (river) and Vijaysagar talab (pond), riparian habitat and scrub land.
• Fauna and flora
  • This desert ecosystem supports drought-resistant plant species that provide habitat for over 150 species of birds.
  • The site is especially recognised for hosting large wintering flocks of migratory demoiselle cranes (locally known as Kurjan), making up over 22,000 individuals each year.

Note: Previously, only Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur and Sambhar Lake in Jaipur had Ramsar site status in the state.

• India now has a total of 91 Ramsar sites.