WETLANDS
1. What are Wetlands?
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen, peat land 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 meters”.
Wetlands are vital for human survival. They are among the world’s most productive environments; cradles of biological diversity that provide the water and productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival.
The Ramsar Convention, which came into existence in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources
2. Newly added Wetlands
The five new wetlands added to the list are the Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Pichavaram Mangrove, Sakhya Sagar, and Pala Wetland.
| Wetland | State | Description |
| Karikili Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | The Karikili Bird Sanctuary comprises two rain-fed non-perennial irrigation tanks spreading over more than 58 hectares. The Site is gently undulating and lies near low ridged, rocky hillocks. The near-threatened oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster) and spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) breed here. The Site was declared a Birds Sanctuary in 1972. |
| Sakhya Sagar | Madhya Pradesh | Sakhya Sagar is a human-made reservoir on the outskirts of Shivpuri town within the Madhav National Park. The Site features a mosaic of landforms including open water and surrounding marshes, plantations, and a small patch of agricultural land. This wetland provides a permanent source of water for wildlife, and habitats for animals including thousands of migratory waterfowl and also mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris), whose presence attracts tourists. |
| Pichavaram Mangrove | Tamil Nadu | The Pichavaram Mangrove Forest near Chidambaram is the world’s second-largest mangrove forest. It is located between two prominent estuaries, the Vellar Estuary in the north and the Coleroon Estuary in the south. The Vellar-Coleroon estuarine complex forms the Killai backwater and Pichavaram mangroves. The backwaters are interconnected by the Vellar and Coleroon river systems and offer abundant scope for water sports such as rowing, kayaking, and canoeing. |
| Pala Wetland | Mizoram | The geographical location of Palak Dil/Pala Wetland falls under the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and is therefore rich in animal and plant species. The lake is a major component of the Palak Wildlife Sanctuary and supports the sanctuary’s major biodiversity. The wetland falls under the Phura Forests Range. |
| Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest | Tamil Nadu | This freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland support some bird species, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and butterfly species. These include notable species such as Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) and birds such as the glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), grey-headed lapwings (Vanellus cinereus), and Pheasant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus). |
3. Ramsar Convention
- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites. It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971
- The Convention’s mission 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”
- Wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems. They provide essential services and supply all our fresh water. However they continue to be degraded and converted to other uses
- The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans
Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to:
- work towards the wise use of all their wetlands;
- designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management;
- cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.
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For Prelims: Wetlands, Ramsar Convention, List of Wetlands
For Mains:1. Explain the major threats to Wetlands in India. Discuss the Important steps to be taken in order to eliminate those threats (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions:
1. Consider the following Questions: (UPSC 2019)
1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based in the recommendation of Ramsar Convention
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompasses the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority
Which of the Statements given above is/ are correct
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 3 Only
D. 1, 2, 3
Answert (C)
1.What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (150 words, 10 marks) (UPSC Mains-2018)
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Source: indianexpress
