Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance

Introduction

The Ramsar Convention is the global framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It recognizes wetlands of international importance for their ecological, hydrological and livelihood value.

Adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, the treaty guides national action and international cooperation for wetland protection. Ramsar sites are selected for their biodiversity value, rare habitats, waterbird populations, fish support systems and other ecological functions.

Origin and Institutional Framework

• Adoption: The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was adopted on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, and entered into force in 1975.
• World Wetlands Day: Celebrated every year on 2 February to mark the adoption of the Convention.
• Secretariat: The Ramsar Secretariat operates from the headquarters of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Gland, Switzerland.
• Core purpose: To conserve wetlands and promote their wise use through policy, planning and international cooperation.

Three Operational Pillars

• Wise use: Contracting parties commit to the wise use of all wetlands through national plans, policies and legislation.
• Designation of sites: Member nations nominate suitable wetlands for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance.
• International cooperation: Countries cooperate on shared wetlands, transboundary systems and shared species.

Criteria for Ramsar Site Identification

A wetland is designated as a Ramsar site if it meets at least one of the nine criteria laid down by the Convention.

• Criterion 1: Represents a natural or near-natural wetland type that is rare, unique or representative in the biogeographic region.
• Criterion 2: Supports vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered species, or threatened ecological communities.
• Criterion 3: Supports populations of plant or animal species important for maintaining biodiversity in a biogeographic region.
• Criterion 4: Supports species at a critical stage in their life cycles or provides refuge during adverse conditions.
• Criterion 5: Regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
• Criterion 6: Regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.
• Criterion 7: Supports a major proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families.
• Criterion 8: Serves as an important food source, spawning ground, nursery or migration path for fish stocks.
• Criterion 9: Regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-dependent non-avian animal species.

Montreux Record and Threat Management

The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur due to human interference, pollution, technological developments or other threats. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

• Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan: Inscribed in 1990 due to water shortage and invasive vegetation growth.
• Loktak Lake, Manipur: Inscribed in 1993 due to ecological problems such as deforestation in the catchment area, water hyacinth infestation and siltation caused by the Ithai Barrage.
• Chilika Lake, Odisha: Inscribed in 1993 due to siltation and choking of the lake mouth.
• Removal from Record: Chilika Lake was removed in 2002 after restoration efforts and won the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award.

Ramsar Network in India

• India and the Convention: India became a party to the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982.
• First Indian Ramsar sites: Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan were designated on 1 October 1981.
• Regional standing: India hosts the largest network of Ramsar sites in Asia and ranks third globally in total site count, behind the United Kingdom and Mexico.
• Tamil Nadu: Holds the highest number of Ramsar sites in India, with 20 designated wetlands.
• Uttar Pradesh: Ranks second with 13 designated Ramsar sites.
• Ramsar Wetland Cities: Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) became India’s first Ramsar Wetland Cities.

Domestic Policy, Schemes and Important Sites

• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: Wetlands in India are governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under these rules.
• Restrictions: The rules prohibit industrial setting, dumping of untreated waste, construction of permanent structures and conversion for non-wetland use within designated wetland areas.
• Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme: Promotes eco-tourism, local livelihoods and carbon sequestration across Ramsar sites in India.
• MISHTI: The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes focuses on mangrove restoration along Indian coastlines, covering several coastal Ramsar sites.
• Sundarban Wetland, West Bengal: The largest Ramsar site in India; covers extensive mangrove forests and Bengal tiger habitat.
• Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Kerala: The longest lake in India; known for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race and the saltwater barrier at Thanneermukhom.
• Chilika Lake, Odisha: The largest brackish water lagoon in Asia; supports Irrawaddy dolphins and migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
• Keibul Lamjao / Loktak Lake, Manipur: Known for floating biomass islands called phumdis and the endangered Sangai deer.
• Lonar Lake, Maharashtra: An endorheic hyper-saline soda lake formed by a meteorite impact in basaltic rock.
• Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh: The smallest Ramsar site in India by area, around 20 hectares; a natural freshwater lake with religious value.
• Bhoj Wetland, Madhya Pradesh: A human-made reservoir consisting of Upper Lake (Bada Talaab) and Lower Lake.
• Glaw Lake, Arunachal Pradesh: Located inside Kamlang Tiger Reserve; a high-altitude freshwater body supporting Eastern biodiversity.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• Ramsar Convention: Adopted on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran; came into force in 1975.
• World Wetlands Day: Observed every year on 2 February.
• Three pillars: Wise use, designation of sites and international cooperation.
• Montreux Record: Lists Ramsar sites facing ecological change due to human interference or other threats.
• India’s status: India became a party to the Convention on 1 February 1982.
• First Indian Ramsar sites: Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park, designated on 1 October 1981.
• Key site facts: Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India; Indore and Udaipur are India’s first Ramsar Wetland Cities.