Ramsar Convention

The ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance, also known as ramsar convention, is an international treaty for conservation as well as sustainable use of wetlands. It is also known as the convention of wetlands. The ramsar convention name was signed in 1971 in a city of Iran. The convention was opened for signature on 2nd February, 1971, and was signed by more than 120 countries. The only two countries that did not sign the convention were the United States and Somalia. The Convention came into force on 21st December, 1975, and was modified in 1979, 1987, 1990 and 1994. The only two countries that did not sign the convention were the United States and Somalia.

Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention, sometimes known as the “Wetlands Convention,” was signed at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and provides a framework for national and international action in the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides a framework for wise use and conversation and its resources. The only two countries that did not sign the convention were the United States and Somalia.

The Ramsar Convention on wetlands is the first multinational environmental accord that specifically addresses wetlands. Since 1975, around 90% of the UN member states have become the Contracting parties and are committed towards the “three pillars” of Convention:

They strive to ensure that all of their wetlands are used wisely

Identify appropriate wetlands for inclusion on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and ensure their sustainable management

Work together on a global scale for transboundary wetlands, shared species, and shared wetland systems.

Till 2021 there are total of 49 ramsar sites in India. And total of 2424 ramsar sites around the world.

Wetlands International:

• It is an International Organization Partner (IOP) of the Ramsar Convention; along with the other five global NGOs. Wetlands International helps to set the agenda, realize strategic aims through various programs such as support parties, and IWC, and bring issues to the fore that helps to bring resolution to the Conference of the Parties (COP) 
• The convention came into force on 21st December 19975 after 20 countries had ratified it. The most known COP12 was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from November 28 to December 7, 2016

World Wetlands Day:

• Every year on February 2nd, World Wetlands Day is observed to raise global awareness of the importance of wetlands to people and the environment
• This day also commemorates the adoption of the Wetlands Convention on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the Caspian Sea’s coasts

Nine Criteria for “Wetlands of International Importance” Designation:

If a wetland fits any of the following characteristics, it should be regarded as internationally significant. The location is as follows:

1. It includes a representative, uncommon or unusual, natural or near-natural wetland form, found in the right biogeographic region
2. Protects fragile natural communities or species that are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered
3. Maintains populations of plant and/or animal species that are vital for preserving a biogeographic region’s biological diversity
4. Maintains plant and/or animal species at a key stage of their life cycles, or provides a haven during severe conditions
5. It Supports 20,000 or more water birds regularly
6. Population of species or subspecies of water bird which is supported by 1%
7. Supporting a big proportion of native fish families, life stages and the representative population of wetland which benefits and contributes to globally biological diversity
8. For fishes, a nursery or migration path on which fish stocks are the important source of food within the wetland or somewhere which depends
9. Populations of one Species of wetland dependent are non-avian animal species which is supported by 1%

What Ramsar Does:

• Recognizes the importance of wetlands to communities, cultures, governments, and companies, and promotes wetland protection and smart usage. Establishes standards for classifying rivers, marshes, coral reefs, and other wetlands as “internationally significant wetlands”
• The Ramsar Secretariat assists countries in putting their wetlands conservation plans into action by developing sensible use guidelines, providing training opportunities, and facilitating access to financial resources
• It also halts the loss of world wetlands and conserves them through usage and management with those that remain

What Ramsar Does Not Do: 

• Nations and landowners are not subject to any limitations under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. Ramsar is neither a governing body nor a United Nations Convention
• Ramsar is not a strong, strict and rigid convention. They do not require any specific law and there is no policy
• In India, a public lake in Andhra Pradesh is not considered as a ramsar site

Montreux record

• It is defined as the register for wetland sites on the basis of the ramsar sites
• For now only Keoladeo national park in Rajasthan and Loktak Lake in Manipur are listed under it
• A total of 46 sites are listed in the Montreux record till 2021
• The difference between ramsar site and montreux record is that montreux record is maintained as a part of the ramsar list
• Chilika Lake in Odisha is a ramsar site which became a part of montreux record in 1993. Because of the situation which is suffocating the mouth of the river. And then it was removed from the Montreux record in 2002 when the work on the restoration worked 

How Wetlands Benefit from Ramsar:

• Ramsar convention on wetlands provides a variety of environmental benefits, such as clean water, flood mitigation, fishing, recreation, wildlife habitat, tourism, and groundwater recharge
• A designation as a “wetland of international significance” can provide economic benefits to the local area through increased tourism, fishing, and recreation

Conclusion

The ramsar convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. India is one of the major contributors to wetlands biodiversity in the world. Wetlands International helps to set the agenda and realize strategic aims through various programs. The ramsar convention name was signed on 2nd of February, 1971 in a city of Iran. We also come to know the nine criteria for wetland of international importance. The Ramsar convention was signed by more than 120 countries. And only two countries that did not sign the convention were the United States and Somalia. And knew how many ramsar sites are there in India. There are 47 ramsar sites in India. We also came to know what the work of ramsar is and what it does, like it establishes standards for classifying rivers, marshes, coral reefs, and other wetlands as “internationally significant wetlands.” And what it does not do like Nations and landowners are not subject to any limitations under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. Ramsar is neither a governing body nor a United Nations Convention.