Ramsar Renaissance: How India's Amrit Dharohar Policy is Redefining Wetland Conservation

In a landmark moment for India’s environmental stewardship, the nation has officially designated two vital ecosystems in Rajasthan—the Khichan Bird Sanctuary and the Menar Wetland Complex—as Wetlands of International Importance. Announced on World Environment Day 2025, this strategic inclusion under the Ramsar Convention elevates India’s tally of such protected sites to 91, reinforcing its leadership in biodiversity conservation within Asia. This development is far more than a numerical achievement; it signifies a profound policy evolution, driven by the innovative Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme. Launched in mid-2023, this initiative is reshaping India’s conservation landscape, moving beyond passive protection towards creating vibrant, community-integrated ecosystems that champion the principle of “wise use” and contribute to a green economy.

The designation of Khichan and Menar serves as a powerful testament to this new paradigm. These sites are not pristine, untouched wildernesses but are living landscapes, shaped and protected for generations by local communities. Their inclusion in the Ramsar list validates a grassroots conservation ethos and integrates it with national and global environmental frameworks. This approach aligns seamlessly with international commitments, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which emphasizes the importance of nature-based solutions, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). As India continues to navigate the complexities of rapid economic development and climate change, the story of its wetlands offers a compelling narrative of resilience, cooperation, and ecological wisdom.

The Ramsar Convention: A Global Pact for Wetlands

To fully grasp the gravity of this designation, it is essential to understand the foundational framework of the Ramsar Convention. Adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971, it is the oldest modern global intergovernmental environmental treaty and remains the only one dedicated to a single ecosystem type. The Convention’s formal title is The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, but its scope has since broadened to cover all aspects of wetland conservation.

The mission of the Convention is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.” This mission is operationalized through three core pillars, which form the basis of each contracting party’s obligations.

1. The Pillar of Wise Use: This is the philosophical heart of the Convention. All signatory nations commit to working towards the wise use of all their wetlands, not just the designated Ramsar sites. Wise use is defined as “the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches within the context of sustainable development.” It encourages countries to manage their wetlands in a way that allows for human use and benefit, provided the fundamental ecological processes and biodiversity of the wetland are not compromised. This concept moves away from a purely protectionist stance to one of sustainable integration.

2. The Pillar of Designation (The Ramsar List): Each contracting party is obligated to designate at least one suitable wetland for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance. These Ramsar Sites are recognized for their significant value in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology, or hydrology. A site must meet at least one of nine specific criteria to qualify. This list serves as a global inventory of the world’s most critical wetlands, drawing international attention to their importance and promoting their conservation.

3. The Pillar of International Cooperation: The Convention explicitly requires parties to cooperate on shared environmental resources. This includes collaboration on transboundary wetlands (wetlands that cross national borders), shared wetland systems, species that migrate across borders (like the Demoiselle Cranes of Khichan), and development projects that could potentially impact wetlands in other countries.

A crucial tool associated with the Convention is the Montreux Record. This is a register of Ramsar sites where adverse ecological changes have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference. Sites are placed on this record with the approval of the party concerned and it serves as a priority list for national and international conservation attention. India currently has two sites on the Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, and Loktak Lake, Manipur.

Mnemonic for Ramsar Pillars: To remember the three core pillars of the Ramsar Convention, one can use the acronym WLC: Wise Use, Listing Sites, Cooperation Internationally.

India’s Expanding Wetland Footprint: A Strategic Journey

India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982. Its journey began with the designation of two of its most famous wetlands: Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan. For decades, the expansion of the list was gradual. However, in recent years, there has been a concerted push to recognize and protect more wetlands. A significant milestone was achieved in 2022 when India, celebrating its 75th year of independence, brought its total number of Ramsar sites to 75. The addition of Khichan and Menar, taking the total to 91, demonstrates that this momentum is not just continuing but accelerating under a new policy framework.

Fun Fact: With 91 designated sites, India now has the largest network of Ramsar Sites in Asia, a testament to its vast and diverse wetland ecosystems, which range from high-altitude Himalayan lakes to coastal mangroves and inland riverine systems.

This expansion is geographically and ecologically diverse. The sites are spread across the country, from Jammu and Kashmir in the north (Wular Lake) to Tamil Nadu in the south (Point Calimere), and from Gujarat in the west (Nalsarovar) to Manipur in the east (Loktak Lake). This network protects a wide array of habitats, including mangroves, coral reefs, salt pans, marshes, high-altitude lakes, and man-made reservoirs, each supporting unique biodiversity.

The Amrit Dharohar Initiative: A Paradigm Shift in Conservation

The recent surge in Ramsar designations is intrinsically linked to the Amrit Dharohar initiative, announced in the Union Budget of 2023-24. This scheme represents a fundamental shift in India’s approach to wetland management, moving from a focus on mere conservation to holistic and sustainable development. It aims to transform these ecological assets into hubs of green growth and community prosperity over a three-year period.

The core objectives of Amrit Dharohar are:

• Promoting the Wise Use Philosophy: To ensure that the ecological character of wetlands is maintained while generating a spectrum of benefits for local communities.
• Enhancing Biodiversity: To protect and improve the habitats for flora and fauna, particularly endangered and migratory species.
• Generating Green Jobs: To create livelihood opportunities through activities like ecotourism, sustainable aquaculture, and the harvesting of wetland products.
• Boosting Carbon Sequestration: To leverage the immense carbon storage potential of wetlands as a nature-based solution to climate change.
• Building Community Capacity: To empower local communities as the primary custodians of their wetlands through training, financial support, and institutional strengthening.

This initiative is a direct implementation of the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) concept, championed by India on the global stage, which advocates for mindful and deliberate utilization of resources instead of mindless and destructive consumption. By making local communities direct stakeholders in the economic benefits of conservation, Amrit Dharohar aims to create a self-sustaining cycle of protection and prosperity. The designation of Khichan and Menar, both models of community-led conservation, is a clear signal of the government’s intent to prioritize and scale up this bottom-up approach.

Rajasthan’s New Ramsar Jewels: A Closer Examination

The addition of Khichan and Menar elevates Rajasthan’s count of Ramsar sites to four, joining the iconic Keoladeo Ghana National Park (1981) and Sambhar Salt Lake (1990). These new sites are particularly significant as they embody the spirit of Amrit Dharohar.

Khichan Bird Sanctuary: A Symphony of Cranes and Community

Located in the arid landscape of the Jodhpur district, Khichan is a global marvel of human-animal symbiosis. This small village has become the wintering capital for thousands of Demoiselle Cranes (Grus virgo), known locally as kurjan. These elegant birds undertake a treacherous migratory journey of over 5,000 kilometers from their breeding grounds in the steppes of Mongolia and Eurasia, navigating the formidable Himalayan mountain range.

The story of Khichan’s transformation began in the 1970s. A local Jain resident, Ratanlal Maloo, inspired by his faith’s principle of Ahimsa (non-violence), began feeding pigeons. This act of compassion soon attracted a small group of weary Demoiselle Cranes. As the years passed, the community, deeply influenced by Jain values, embraced the cranes. The feeding effort grew from a personal act to a collective responsibility, with dedicated feeding stations, or “chugga ghars,” being established. Today, the village hosts up to 30,000 cranes each winter, creating one of the most spectacular avian congregations on the planet.

The Ramsar designation provides formal international recognition of this unique conservation model. It will help channel scientific expertise and resources to address threats such as mortality from overhead power lines, predation by feral dogs, and the ever-present challenge of water scarcity in this desert region. It also provides a framework to manage the growing ecotourism in a sustainable manner, ensuring that the very phenomenon that draws visitors is not disturbed.

Menar Wetland Complex: The “Bird Village”

In the Udaipur district, the village of Menar has rightfully earned the title of “Bird Village” (Pakshi Gram). Its identity is inextricably linked to the two interconnected lakes that form the heart of the wetland complex: the Brahma Sagar and the Dhandh Sagar. These man-made lakes, originally created centuries ago for irrigation, have evolved into a biodiversity hotspot, supporting over 150 species of resident and migratory birds.

The conservation success here is entirely a grassroots achievement. The local community has established a robust, self-governed system to protect the wetland. They have voluntarily banned hunting and commercial fishing, organized patrols to prevent poaching, and actively manage the habitat. This collective action has made Menar a safe haven for an astonishing variety of birds, including the Greater Flamingo, White-tailed Lapwing, Dalmatian Pelican, and, critically, several species of threatened vultures.

Fun Fact: The presence of a healthy population of vultures, including the White-rumped Vulture and the Indian Vulture (both critically endangered), makes Menar an ecosystem of national importance. Vultures are apex scavengers, and their presence is a powerful bio-indicator of a clean and healthy environment, free from the veterinary drug diclofenac which has decimated their populations elsewhere.

The Ramsar designation for Menar is a powerful validation of this community’s decades-long effort. It will unlock access to technical and financial support under national and international schemes, enabling the community to tackle challenges like water quality management, control of invasive aquatic weeds, and the development of sustainable ecotourism infrastructure that directly benefits the local guardians of the wetland.

Critical Policy Appraisal

The expansion of the Ramsar network under the Amrit Dharohar framework is a commendable step, but its long-term success hinges on addressing persistent challenges.

Analytical Lens: UPSC Focus (Mains & Prelims)

Conceptual Basis

The legal and policy backbone for wetland conservation in India rests on two primary pillars:

1. International Convention: The Ramsar Convention (1971) provides the overarching international framework and obligations for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
2. National Legislation: The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 provides the domestic regulatory framework. It decentralizes management by setting up State Wetland Authorities and calls for the creation of a comprehensive digital inventory of wetlands.

UPSC Integration: Connecting the Dots

• GS Paper 3 (Environment & Ecology): This is a core topic covering biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, climate change mitigation (carbon sequestration), and environmental legislation.
• GS Paper 2 (Governance & International Relations): It connects to international environmental agreements (Ramsar), the role of civil society and community participation in governance (Khichan/Menar models), and cooperative federalism (Centre-State collaboration under Amrit Dharohar).
• GS Paper 1 (Geography & Society): The topic relates to physical geography (hydrology, ecosystems), human-environment interaction (man-made wetlands, community conservation), and migration patterns (both avian and human settlement patterns around wetlands).

Future Impact and Policy Relevance

The Amrit Dharohar initiative, exemplified by the new Ramsar designations, represents a crucial evolution in India’s environmental governance. If successful, this model of integrating “People, Policy, and Planet” could serve as a powerful template for the conservation of other ecosystems like grasslands and sacred groves. Its emphasis on making conservation economically viable for local communities is its most potent feature. The long-term impact will depend on the effective devolution of funds and functions to the local level and the ability to create tangible “green jobs” that reduce dependency on destructive practices. This approach is critical for achieving a just and equitable transition to a green economy.

Practice Question (Prelims)

Which of the following criteria is NOT explicitly one of the nine criteria for identifying a wetland for inclusion in the Ramsar List?

a) If it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds. b) If it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species. c) If it is a particularly good representative of a rare or unique natural wetland type. d) If it is located within a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explanation: The correct answer is (d). While a Ramsar site can also be a UNESCO World Heritage Site (like Keoladeo National Park), its status as a World Heritage Site is not one of the nine formal criteria for Ramsar designation. The other three options (a, b, and c) are direct summaries of official Ramsar criteria (Criterion 5, Criterion 2, and Criterion 1, respectively).

Practice Question (Mains)

“Community participation is the most effective and sustainable pathway for achieving biodiversity conservation goals in India.” Critically analyze this statement in the context of the Amrit Dharohar scheme and the recent designation of Khichan and Menar as Ramsar sites. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Mind Map Outline (Revision Structure)

• India’s Wetland Conservation
  • Core News (2025)
    • Two new Ramsar Sites in Rajasthan: Khichan Bird Sanctuary & Menar Wetland Complex.
    • India’s total reaches 91 sites.
    • Driven by the Amrit Dharohar initiative.
  • The Ramsar Convention (1971)
    • Three Pillars (Mnemonic: WLC)
      • Wise Use: Sustainable management and maintenance of ecological character.
      • Listing Sites: Designating Wetlands of International Importance.
      • Cooperation: Transboundary wetlands and shared species.
    • Key Tools
      • The Nine Criteria for Designation.
      • The Montreux Record: For threatened sites.
  • India’s Ramsar Journey
    • Joined in 1982.
    • First sites: Chilika Lake, Keoladeo National Park.
    • Recent push: 75 sites by 75th Independence year.
    • Largest network in Asia.
  • Amrit Dharohar Scheme (Budget 2023-24)
    • Paradigm Shift: From passive protection to active, sustainable use.
    • Objectives:
      • Enhance Biodiversity.
      • Generate Green Jobs & Ecotourism.
      • Increase Carbon Stock.
      • Promote Wise Use.
    • Link to LiFE Mission: Lifestyle for Environment.
  • Case Studies: Rajasthan’s New Sites
    • Khichan Bird Sanctuary
      • Key Species: Demoiselle Crane (kurjan).
      • Conservation Model: Community-led feeding (chugga ghars) based on Jain principles.
      • Threats: Power lines, feral dogs.
    • Menar Wetland Complex (“Bird Village”)
      • Key Species: Vultures, Flamingos.
      • Conservation Model: Self-governed community patrols, hunting ban.
      • Significance: Bio-indicator of a healthy ecosystem.
  • Policy Analysis
    • Critical Appraisal Table
      • Challenges: Encroachment, Pollution, Invasive Species, Funding Gaps.
      • Opportunities: Stronger laws, Integrated Basin Management, Community-led restoration.
    • Legal Framework
      • International: Ramsar Convention.
      • National: Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
  • UPSC Focus
    • Inter-Topic Linkages:
      • GS-3: Environment, Ecology.
      • GS-2: Governance, IR.
      • GS-1: Geography, Society.
    • Practice Questions:
      • Prelims MCQ on Ramsar criteria.
      • Mains question on community participation in conservation.

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