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♤ The Convention on Wetlands [waterfowl convention] is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
♤ It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975, and it is the only global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem.
♤ Ramsar is not affiliated with the United Nations system of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, but it works very closely with the other MEAs and is a full partner among the “biodiversity-related cluster” of treaties and agreements.
♤ World Wetlands Day, 2 February every year. Number of Contracting Parties: 163
Mission
Indian wetland and the Montreux Record
“The conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
“Three pillars” of the Convention
The Parties have committed themselves to:
♤ Work towards the wise use of all their wetlands through national land-use planning, appropriate policies and legislation, management actions, and public education;
♤ Designate suitable wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance (“Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management; and
♤ Cooperate internationally concerning transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems, shared species, and development projects that may affect wetlands.
The “Ramsar List”
♤ At the time of joining the Convention, each Contracting Party designates at least one site for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”).
♤ The addition of a site to the Ramsar List confers upon it the prestige of international recognition and expresses the government’s commitment to take all steps necessary to ensure the maintenance of the ecological character of the site.
Transboundary Ramsar Sites
♤ An ecologically coherent wetland extends across national borders and the Ramsar site authorities on both or all sides of the border have formally agreed to collaborate in its management, and have notified the Secretariat of this intent.
♤ This is a cooperative management arrangement and not a distinct legal status for the Ramsar sites involved.
The Montreux Record
♤ Adopted by the Conference of the Contracting Parties in Brisbane, 1996, accompanying the Guidelines for Operation of the Montreux Record
♤ The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
♤ It is the the principal tool of the Convention and is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
♤ Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan and Loktak Lake, Manipur have been included in Montreux Record in 1990 and in 1993 respectively
♤ Chilika Lake, Orissa included in Montreux Record in 1993 have been removed in November 2002. It is placed on the Montreux Record due to problems caused by siltation and sedimentation which was choking the mouth of the lake; removed from the Record in 2002 following rehabilitation efforts for which the Chilika Development Authority received the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award for 2002.
“IOPs”
Five global non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been associated with the treaty since its beginnings and were confirmed in the formal status of International Organization Partners (IOPs) of the Convention.
1. BirdLife International (formerly ICBP)
2. IUCN - The International Union for the Conservation of Nature
3. IWMI - The International Water Management Institute
4. Wetlands International (formerly IWRB, the Asian Wetlands Bureau, and Wetlands for the Americas)
5. WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) International
The Changwon Declaration on human well-being and wetlands
♤ The Changwon Declaration highlights positive action for ensuring human well-being and security in the future under the themes - water, climate change, people’s livelihood and health, land use change, and biodiversity,
India and wetland convention
♤ India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in 1981 and has been implementing conservation programmes for wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs.
♤ India presently has 26 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance.
♤ There is close coordination between implementing units of Ramsar with that of CBD at the national level. India took a lead role in the formulation of Ramsar guidelines on integration of wetlands into river basin management.
♤ The National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statements on Environment and Development (1992) and National Water Policy (2002) highlight conservation and sustainable development of wetlands.