New Ramsar sites in India 2022 - An update
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World Wetlands Day observed on Feb 2
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- The story: The 'World Wetlands Day' was observed on Feb 2. This was marked by two new Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) declared in India — Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat and Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary in U.P (announced by the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav).
- What is a Wetland: These are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Two general categories of wetlands are recognized: coastal or tidal wetlands and inland or non-tidal wetlands. Examples of Wetlands are: Marine and coastal areas, Estuaries, Lakes and rivers, Marshes and peatlands, Groundwater and human-made wetlands such as rice paddies, shrimp ponds, and reservoirs
- What is Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: The Convention is on wetlands, and was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The negotiations for the convention started in the 1960s by the different countries and NGOs for the protection of wetlands and their resources. Finally, it came into force in 1975.
- The convention works on three pillars that define the purpose of the Ramsar Convention: i. Wise Use – To work towards the wise use of all wetlands; ii. List of Wetlands of International Importance – Designate suitable wetlands under the Ramsar List to effectively manage those; iii. International Cooperation – To bring cooperation internationally over the transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.
- As of October 2020, there are 171 contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention.
- It is the only international treaty that addresses a specific ecosystem (wetland.)
- Originally, the treaty focussed on the conservation of the habitats for waterbirds with time, the treaty has broadened its horizon and covers all aspects of wetland conservation.
- The Ramsar Conventions contains three important subjects: i. The contracting parties have to designate suitable wetlands in their territory under the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance; ii. The designated wetlands have to be wisely used and taken care of; iii. Shared wetland systems over the territories of more than one contracting party have to be used wisely by the parties concerned after due consultation
- As of June 2021, there are 2422 wetlands in the list of wetlands of international importance.
- Ramsar Convention is not a regulatory regime. It was modified by the Paris Protocol in 1982 and by the Regina Amendments in 1987.
- Montreux Record – It is a mechanism that was launched in 1990 and is associated with the Ramsar Advisory Mission. It is a register of the list of those Ramsar Sites that need urgent attention. One can read more about Montreux Record at the linked article.
- The Ramsar Convention has six international organization partners: Birdlife International, IUCN, Wetlands International, WWF, International Water Management Institute, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
- The convention comes with a six-year strategic plan. The latest one is the 4th Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan 2016-2024 which was approved at COP12 of the convention. The Convention’s Standing Committee has 18 members that are elected at COP till the next COP elects new members.
- World Wetlands Day: It was first celebrated in 1997. It is celebrated each year on 2nd February to mark the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention and promote its mission. A conference of the contracting parties (COP) to the convention meets every three years.
- Wetland Conservation and India: India entered into Ramsar Convention on 1st February 1981. Including the two new ones, now India has a total of 49 Ramsar Sites in India listed under Ramsar Convention. India’s initiatives to conserve the national wetlands (4.63% of the total geographical area) are known as Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change released a set of guidelines in January 2020 for implementation of the Wetland Rules 2017. India regulated (i) wetlands designated under the Ramsar List, and (ii) those wetlands are notified under central, state, and UT rules.
- Summary: Wetlands play the same function in environment as kidneys in a human body. As a part of India’s commitment towards conservation, restoration and management of India’s wetlands the addition to new Ramsar sites is a welcome move. It will prove helpful in halting and reversing wetlands degradation and loss and to conserve the wetlands and nature in general.
- EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) What is the Ramsar Convention? Cite five examples of Ramsar sites in India. (2) Discuss the importance and role played by Wetlands in the ecological conservation of the planet. (3) Why are Indian cities flooded devastatingly in monsoons? Explain.
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