RAMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLANDS

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. Its purpose is to conserve and ensure the sustainable use of wetlands, recognizing their critical ecological roles, especially as habitats for waterbirds. The Ramsar Convention is the only global environmental treaty focused on a single ecosystem type—wetlands.

Key Features of the Ramsar Convention

1. Wetland Conservation and Wise Use: The primary aim is to promote sustainable use of wetlands through national and international cooperation.
2. Designation of Wetlands of International Importance: Each member country is encouraged to designate at least one wetland in their territory as a "Ramsar Site." These sites receive recognition for their ecological, economic, and cultural value.
3. National and International Cooperation: Member states commit to maintain the ecological character of their Ramsar Sites, promoting awareness and scientific research on wetland conservation.

Structure and Mechanisms

1. Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP): Regular meetings of member countries (held every three years) to discuss progress, challenges, and new commitments for wetland conservation.
2. Montreux Record: A register of Ramsar Sites where ecological character is changing or likely to change due to human activity. The record serves as an early warning and focuses attention on these vulnerable sites.

Importance of Wetlands

Wetlands play a vital role in:

• Water purification and groundwater recharge
• Flood control and storm protection
• Climate regulation through carbon storage
• Biodiversity support as habitats for numerous species

India’s Role in the Ramsar Convention

India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention and has actively designated numerous Ramsar Sites across the country. As of 2023, India has 75 Ramsar Sites—the highest in South Asia. Notable sites include Keoladeo National Park, Chilika Lake, and Loktak Lake.

World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 every year to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention and raise awareness about the importance of wetlands.

The Ramsar Convention remains critical for wetland conservation worldwide, helping to protect these vital ecosystems from threats like climate change, urbanization, and pollution.

• The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action & international cooperation for the conservation & wise use of wetlands & their resources.
• Ramsar is not affiliated with the United Nations systems of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, but it works very closely with the other MEAs & is a full partner in the biodiversity-related cluster of treaties & agreements.
• Mission: The conservation & wise use of all wetlands through local, regional & national actions & international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.

Commitment:

• Work towards the wise use of all their wetlands through national land-use planning, appropriate policies & legislation, management actions & public education.
• Cooperate internationally concerning transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems & development projects that may affect wetlands.
• Designate suitable wetlands for the list of wetlands of international importance & ensure their effective management.

Ramsar List:

• At the time of joining the Convention, each Contracting Party designates at least one site for inclusion in the list of wetlands of International Importance.
• The addition of a site to the Ramsar List confers on it the prestige of international recognition & expresses the government’s commitment to take all steps necessary to ensure the maintenance of the ecological character of the site.

Transboundary Ramsar Sites:

• An ecologically coherent wetland extends across national borders & the Ramsar site authorities on all sides of the border have formally agreed to collaborate in its management & have notified the secretariat of this intent.
• This is a cooperative management arrangement & not a distinct legal status for the Ramsar sites involved.

Montreux Record:

• Adopted by the conference of the Contracting Parties in Brisbane, 1996, accompanying the Guidelines for Operation of the Montreux Record.
• The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites in the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred/occurred/likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
• Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan & Loktak Lake, Manipur were included in the Montreux Record in 1990 & 1993 respectively.
• Chilika Lake, Orissa included in Montreux Record in 1993 was removed in 2002. It is placed on the Montreux Record due to problems caused by siltation & sedimentation which was choking the mouth of the lake.

IOPs:

5 global non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been associated with the treaty since its beginnings & were confirmed in the formal status of International Organization Partners (IOPs) of the Convention.

• Birdlife International (formerly ICBP)
• IWMI- the International Water Management Institute
• IUCN-International Union for the Conservation of Nature
• Wetlands International
• World Wide Fund for Nature

India & Wetland Conservation:

• India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in 1981 & has been implementing conservation programmes for wetlands, mangroves & coral reefs.
• India has 26 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance.
• There is close coordination between implementing units of Ramsar with the CBD at the national level. India took a lead role in the formulation of Ramsar guidelines on the integration of wetlands into river basin management.