Ramsar sites

WHY IN NEWS?

Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, announced that the Ramsar Convention has declared 10 more wetlands from India as sites of “international importance”, taking the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 37.

ABOUT RAMSAR SITES

• Among the 10 new Ramsar sites is Nandur Madhameshwar, the first Ramsar site in Maharashtra.
• Punjab, which has three Ramsar sites, added three more including the Keshopur-Miani, Beas Conservation Reserve and Nangal.
• UP, which had one Ramsar site previously, has added six more including Nawabganj, Parvati Agra, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi and Sarsai Nawar.
• The other Ramsar sites are in the states of Rajasthan, Kerala, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura.
• With the new additions, a total of 37 sites in the country have been recognized under the international treaty.
• The new additions are expected to bring renewed focus and commitment to the conservation of wetlands in India.
• The Ramsar Convention, signed on February 2, 1971, is one of the oldest inter-governmental accords signed to preserve the ecological character of wetlands of international importance in the signatory countries. The aim of the Ramsar list is to develop and sustain a network of wetlands by maintaining components of their ecosystem and processes. The wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are protected under strict guidelines of the convention.
• The countries with most sites are the United Kingdom and Mexico. And, the country with the greatest area of listed wetlands is Bolivia.
• Montreux Record under the Ramsar Convention is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
• It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
• Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Chilka Lake (Odisha) was placed in the record but was later removed from it.

Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Ramsar sites in India:
1.A total of 27 sites in the India have been recognized under the international treaty.
2.Currently, three wetlands of India are in Montreux record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), Loktak Lake (Manipur) and Chilka Lake (Odisha)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b)2 only
c)Both 1 and 2
d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question