Menar Wetland
| Menar Wetland | |
|---|---|
Cranes at Menar | |
| Location | Menar, Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India |
| Coordinates | 24°35′N 74°07′E / 24.59°N 74.11°E |
| Type | Seasonal lakes |
| Official name | Menar Wetland Complex |
| Designated | 4 June 2025 |
| Reference no. | 2567[1] |
| Location | |
Interactive map of Menar Wetland | |
Menar Wetland is a freshwater wetland complex located in and around the village of Menar in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India. It consists primarily of two lakes—Brahma Talab and Dhand Talab—which together support rich avifauna, especially during the winter migration season. It was designed as a Ramsar site on 4 June 2025.[2][3][4][5]
Overview
Located about 45 km east of Udaipur, the wetland complex lies in a semi-arid zone and is sustained mainly by monsoon rainfall. The wetlands are seasonal but retain water long enough to serve as an important habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds.[6][7]
Avifauna
Menar Wetland hosts over 180 species of birds annually, including several globally important migratory species.[8]
- Bar-headed goose (Anser indicus)
- Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
- Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
- Common teal, Northern shoveler, and other ducks
- White-tailed lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)
- Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)[9]
The area has been recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Rajasthan Forest Department in 2024.[10]
Community conservation
Menar is widely regarded as a successful example of community-led wetland conservation. Local villagers have actively protected the area since the 2010s, banning hunting and collaborating with the Forest Department to monitor and conserve bird populations. The village was declared a "Bird Village" by the Rajasthan government in 2021.[11]
Annual bird festivals and awareness programs have been organized in collaboration with NGOs and government agencies to promote eco-tourism and environmental education.[12][13]
Recognition
In 2024, the site was officially designated as an IBA. Efforts were made to nominate Menar Wetland for recognition as a Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention, which would provide international protection and conservation funding. It was recognised as Ramsar wetland site on 4 June 2025.[14][15]
Tourism
The wetland attracts birdwatchers and nature photographers between November and February. Basic eco-tourism infrastructure—including birdwatching towers and guided village walks—has been developed by local stakeholders with minimal ecological disturbance.[16][17][18]
See also
References
- ^ "Menar Wetland". Ramsar Sites Information Service.
- ^ "Menar Wetland". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Pillai, Geetha Sunil (2 February 2023). "Menar: Deathtrap for the Winged Beauties?". The Mooknayak English - Voice Of The Voiceless. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "राजस्थान के नाम जुड़ी एक और बड़ी उपलब्धि, पीएम मोदी बोले- ग्रेट न्यूज". rajasthan.ndtv.in (in Hindi). Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Visit of Menar Wetlands to Understand the Community Led Protection of Water Bodies to Provide Refuge to Resident and Migratory Bird Species - World Wetlands Day". www.worldwetlandsday.org. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Menar Bird Village of Udaipur District: A hidden treasure of Rajasthan tourism". APN News.
- ^ "Department of Environment and Climate Change Notification Jaipur, July 19, 2023" (PDF). environment.rajasthan.gov.in.
- ^ "Menar Witnesses Rare Sighting of Critically Endangered Vultures". udaipurtimes.com. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Black-Necked Stork Breeding for the First Time at Menar Lake". udaipurtimes.com. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Sharma, Dr Satish Kumar (16 December 2023). "MENAR: An Ordinary Village Pond to an Important Bird Area Site and Beyond". Rajasthan Biodiversity Network. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Iqbal, Mohammed (25 June 2022). "Udaipur's 'bird village' set to be declared wetland". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Menar". Incredible India. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Menar: A model of harmony in wildlife conservation earns global recognition". The Times of India. 11 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Menar Witnesses Rare Sighting of Critically Endangered Vultures". udaipurtimes.com. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Menar Wetland in Udaipur to Become Ramsar Site". udaipurtimes.com. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Menar Set to Develop as Tourist Hub". udaipurtimes.com. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Tourism and Jobs: Big Plans for Menar Village". udaipurtimes.com. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Cheema, Shreya (6 December 2023). "Menar Village Near Udaipur Is The New Birdwatchers' Paradise". Outlook Traveller. Retrieved 4 June 2025.