Two wetlands in Rajasthan, Khichan and Menar were declared Ramsar Sites on world environment day 2025, raising India's total count to 91.
- World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5th June (Since 1973) led by the UN Environment Programme. The theme for 2025 is Beat Plastic Pollution.
- With the addition of these wetlands, Rajasthan now has four Ramsar sites, including Sambhar Salt Lake and Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
- Genesis: The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
- About: It is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
- Almost 90% of UN member states have acceded to become “Contracting Parties”.
- India became a party to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982.
- India has the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia.
- To be designated a "wetland of international importance," a wetland must meet at least one of nine criteria established by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
