Context:
Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced two new Ramsar sites in Rajasthan.
More on the News
India’s total Ramsar sites now stand at 91 with the addition of two more wetlands.
The newly added sites are:
- Khichan in Phalodi, Rajasthan
- Menar in Udaipur, Rajasthan
Ramsar Convention
- The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty established in 1971.
- Its aim is the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.
- They are also known as wetlands of international importance.
- According to the Convention, Wetlands are defined as areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.