15th Meeting of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Zimbabwe
Why in News ?
Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav led the Indian delegation at the 15th Meeting of the Ramsar Convention (COP15) held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 23–31 July 2025 and showcased India’s wetland conservation efforts at the global platform.
During COP15, India held bilateral talks with the heads of CITES, CMS and Ramsar Convention and talked about cooperation with Zimbabwe on knowledge sharing and wetland restoration.
Shri Yadav gave the message of “Oneness with Nature” and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” at the High Level Session of COP15.
Key Points:
India currently has 91 Ramsar sites, spread over an area of 1.36 million hectares; It is the largest network in Asia and the third largest globally.
India has recorded a 250% increase in the number of Ramsar sites in the last 10 years, reflecting its commitment to wetland conservation.
Udaipur and Indore have been given international recognition as “Wetland Cities” for the first time.
Articles 48A and 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution entrust the responsibility of protecting the environment, forests and wildlife to both the state and citizens.
Through the Prime Minister’s initiative ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and Mission LiFE, India has integrated sustainable lifestyles and community participation into environmental policy.
Ramsar Convention:
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands; it was established in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran.
Its main objective is to preserve the ecological features of wetlands and ensure their sustainable use.
Ramsar sites are selected on the basis of their ecological parameters such as biodiversity, water conservation and bird migration and these sites are considered to be of international importance.
India adopted the Ramsar Convention in the year 1982.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
CITES was established in Washington D.C. in 1973 and it came into force from 1 July 1975.
Its objective is to control the international trade of endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
CITES has three appendixes, in which Appendix-I includes extremely endangered species whose trade is completely banned.
India became a member of CITES in 1976 and it is implemented in India through the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Foreign Trade Policy.
It is not a binding treaty but is implemented voluntarily by member countries, aiming to regulate trade without harming biodiversity.
CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals)
CMS, also known as the Bonn Convention, was established in 1979 in Bonn, Germany and came into force in 1983.
It encourages international cooperation to conserve migratory wild species and their habitats.
India became a member of CMS in 1983 and participates in initiatives such as the "Central Asian Flyway" for migratory birds.
CMS protects species that migrate across boundaries, such as Amur falcons, Siberian cranes, sea turtles and Gangetic dolphins.
Q. The 15th meeting (COP15) of the Ramsar Convention was held in which country ?