Rajasthan’s New Wetland:
Recognised as the “bird village” following community-driven conservation efforts, Menar in Udaipur district is set to be notified as Rajasthan’s new wetland.
- This will pave the way for getting the Ramsar site status for this rural heartland of the Mewar region.
Menar Wetland:
- The two lakes in the Menar village – the Brahma and Dhandh play host to a large number of migratory birds every year.
- The Forest Department has initiated the process for notification of Menar as a wetland, which will recognise its role in the storage of sediment and nutrients and enable the local authorities to maintain the respective lakes.
- With the status of wetlands, the two lakes will be strengthened for increasing the vegetation of aquatic plants and protecting biodiversity.
- More than 150 species of local and migratory birds inhabit the two lakes in the winter season.
- They include Greater Flamingo, White-tailed Lapwing, Pelican, Marsh Harrier, Bar-headed Goose, Common Teal, Greenshank, Pintail, Wagtail, Green Sandpiper and Red-wattled Lapwing.
- Bird lovers and tourists flock to the village after the arrival of migratory birds from as far as Central Asia, Europe and Mongolia.
- At present, Rajasthan has two wetlands recognised as Ramsar sites –
- Keoladeo Ghana in Bharatpur district
- Sambhar Salt Lake in Jaipur district.
