|
About
|
- 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 “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;
- Cooperate internationally concerning trans boundary wetlands, shared wetland systems, shared speeds, and development projects that may affect wetlands.
|
|
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 principal tool of the Convention and is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
|
|
Indian wetland and the Montreux Record
|
- Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan and Loktak Lake, Manipur have been included in Montreux Record in 1990 and in 1993 respectively
- Chilika Lake, Orissa was included in the Montreux Record in 1993 but was removed in November 2002.
- Chilika Lake gets the 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 (lOPs) of the Convention.
- Bird Life International (formerly ICBP)
- TUCN – The International Union for the Conservation of Nature
- IWMI – The International Water Management institute
- Wetlands International (formerly IWRB, the Asian Wetlands Bureau, and. Wetlands for the Americas)
- 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.
|