In news– Recognised as the “bird village” following community-driven conservation efforts, Menar in Udaipur district in Rajasthan is set to be notified as the state’s new wetland.
About the wetland-
- The two lakes in the village – the Brahma and Dhandh play host to a large number of migratory birds in the winter season every year.
- With the status of wetland, the two lakes will be strengthened for increasing vegetation of aquatic plants and protecting biodiversity.
- The volunteers known as Pakshi Mitras (friends of birds) were maintaining the lakes as a safe haven for birds.
- More than 150 species of local and migratory birds inhabit the two lakes in the winter season, including greater flamingo, white-tailed lapwing, pelican, marsh harrier, bar headed goose, common teal, greenshank, pintail, wagtail, green sandpiper and red-wattled lapwing.
- The district administration has also formulated a management plan for systematic development of the lakes, while an action plan is under way to get Menar notified as a wetland at the earliest.
- The fresh water lakes supporting the ecosystem of the region will be protected with the application of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2019.
- At present, Rajasthan has two wetlands recognised as Ramsar sites – Keoladeo Ghana in Bharatpur district and Sambhar Salt Lake in Jaipur district.
Source: The Hindu
