Ramsar Convention

Why in Discussion ?

• Recently, several new wetlands in India have been designated as “Ramsar Sites.”
• With these additions, India now has a total of 94 Ramsar Sites.

About the Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention (1971) is an intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

• Adopted in Ramsar, Iran, and came into force in 1975.
• The Convention defines “wise use” as the sustainable utilization of wetlands while maintaining their ecological character, emphasizing ecosystem-based management for sustainable development.

Ramsar List

The Convention identifies wetlands of international importance that meet at least one of the nine criteria, such as:

• Providing habitat for threatened or endangered species
• Conserving important ecological systems
• Supporting large populations of waterbirds

Major Ramsar Sites in India

First Ramsar Sites (1981):

• Chilika Lake (Odisha)
• Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

Newest Ramsar Sites (2025):

• Gokul Reservoir (Buxar, Bihar) – 93rd Ramsar Site
• Gogabeel Lake (Katihar, Bihar) – 94th Ramsar Site

Wetland City Accreditation (WCA-29): India has two Wetland-Friendly Cities:

• Indore
• Udaipur

Montreux Record:

• A list of Ramsar Sites where ecological character is at risk due to human activities, pollution, or infrastructure development.
• In India:
  • Loktak Lake (Manipur)
  • Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

Importance of the Ramsar Convention

1. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Wetlands are directly linked to:
   • SDG-6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • SDG-13: Climate Action
   • SDG-14/15: Biodiversity Conservation: Wetlands help in water quality maintenance, groundwater recharge, flood control, food security, and climate resilience.
2. Scientific Research and Data Sharing The Convention promotes:
   • Collaborative research
   • Wetland management training
   • Data and best practice exchange
     → Strengthening conservation strategies
3. International Cooperation
   • Provides financial and technical support to communities dependent on wetlands (e.g., fishing and agricultural communities).
4. Balancing Ecology and Human Development
   • Recognizes the interdependence of nature and society
   • Integrates conservation with socio-economic development

Key Challenges

1. Implementation Gaps: Many member countries are reluctant to fulfill obligations such as:
   • Reviewing national laws
   • Transparent reporting
   • Data sharing
2. Ambiguity
   • Terms like wetland restoration and specific responsibilities are not clearly defined, hampering effective implementation.
3. Lack of Dispute Resolution Mechanism
   • No formal mechanism in the Convention for dispute settlement
   • Weakens compliance and accountability
4. National-Level Recognition and Protection Deficit Wetlands continue to face threats from:
   • Land-use change
   • Urbanization
   • Pollution
   • Illegal encroachments

Way Forward

1. Expand Regional and International Cooperation
   • Strengthen technical guidance, joint monitoring, and training programs among member countries.
2. Local Community Participation
   • Wetland conservation succeeds only when local communities, urban authorities, farmers, and fishers are active stakeholders.
3. Awareness and Social Consensus
   • Raising public awareness about wetlands is critical, as most damage occurs locally.
4. Monitoring and Environmental Assessment
   • Mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and regular monitoring for activities such as dredging, construction, forestry, and agricultural expansion.

Conclusion

Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services:

• Flood control
• Water purification
• Climate regulation
• Biodiversity conservation

These services reduce the cost of disaster management and water treatment, strengthening both local and national economies. The Ramsar Convention serves as a global platform for cooperation, scientific management, and sustainable use. For a biodiversity-rich country like India, it is crucial for water security, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation.