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Home / IAS Preparation / Ramsar Convention

Ramsar Convention- Background, Objectives, Pillars and More for UPSC Exam!

Last Updated on Nov 05, 2024
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The Ramsar Convention also referred to as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat was signed in the city of Ramsar, Iran in February 1971 by UNESCO. It came into force in December 1975. It is the only global treaty that focuses on a single habitat, i.e., wetlands. The convention has near universal ratification with 90% of member states of the UN being its member.

The topic of the Ramsar Convention is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination and it falls under General studies paper 1 (Preliminary) and General studies paper 3 (Mains) under the Ecology and Environment section. For further information and an explanation of the topic visit UPSC CSE Coaching here!

In this article, we shall discuss the Ramsar Convention and its historical background. We will also have an insight into the major pillars of the convention, the famous Ramsar sites along with discussing the amendments to the convention.

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Also, read Causes of Biodiversity Losses on the given link!

What is Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It was signed in 1971, it came into force only in 1975. The convention provides a framework for the conservation of wetlands. Its headquarters are located in Gland, Switzerland. The convention has members from all the continents of the world. Article 2(4) of the convention states that to become a party to the convention, a member party is required to nominate at least one wetland in its territory to the List of Wetlands of International Importance based on enumerated criteria. If a wetland satisfies the given requirements for functioning, including those related to hydrology, ecology, and the sustaining of both human and wildlife populations, then it is eligible to be designated as having “international importance.”

Further, a contracting member state must agree to manage all their wetlands on the concept of “wise use.” (Wise use means the maintenance of the ecological character of the wetland and allowance of sustainable use for the benefit of people and the environment.) The major objective of the convention is the conservation and wise use of wetlands through cooperation at international, national, regional and local levels and achieving the goal of sustainable development.

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Historical Background of Ramsar Convention
  • It was established in 1971, ten years after it was first conceived in 1960. In 1960, IUCN received a proposal from Dr. Luc Hoffmann who highlighted the need for an international programme for the conservation and management of marshes, bogs, and other wetlands. It was then designated as Project MAR.
  • A MAR conference was organized in 1962 by Dr. Luc Hoffmann and was attended by various experts and countries.
  • After eight years of the conference, the text of the Ramsar Convention was adopted.
  • It came into force in 1975 following the accession of seven countries.

Check out the List Of Ramsar Sites in India for more information.

What are Wetlands?

  • According to Article 1 of the Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peat, and or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.”
  • Wetlands thus include the following:
    • marine—coastal wetlands such as coastal lagoons, rocky shores, and coral reefs
    • estuarine—for example, deltas, tidal marshes, and mangrove swamps
    • lacustrine—wetlands associated with lakes
    • riverine—wetlands along rivers and streams
    • palustrine—marshes, swamps, and bogs
    • human-made wetlands such as reservoirs, fish ponds, flooded mineral workings, saltpans, sewage farms, and canals.

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Facts about Ramsar Convention for UPSC

Important facts about the Ramsar Convention for UPSC are mentioned in the table below.

Particulars

Details

Convention

Ramsar Convention

Signed in

1971

Entered into Force

1975

Signed at

Ramsar city, Iran

Objective

Conservation of Wetlands

Meeting of CoP

Once every three years

Number of contracting parties

172

Number of Wetlands of International Importance

2471

Also read Kyoto Protocol for UPSC CSE Exam.

Ramsar Convention: Objectives

The major objective of the Ramsar convention is to reverse the loss of wetlands and to conserve the remaining wetlands through their wise use.

Pillars of Ramsar Convention

The three pillars of the Ramsar Convention are:

  1. Designation of wetlands of international importance as Ramsar Sites;
  2. Promotion of the wise use of all wetlands in the territory of each country; and
  3. International cooperation with other countries to further the wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Check out the article on the Paris Agreement here.

What are Ramsar Sites?
  • Ramsar sites are wetland sites of international importance under the “Convention on Wetlands”.
  • Globally, there are over 2400 Ramsar sites.
  • The largest number of sites are located in the United Kingdom followed by Mexico.

Also, read about the Montreal Protocol on the given link!

Partners to Ramsar Convention

There are six organizational partners to Ramsar Convention. They are referred to as International Organisational Partners (IOPs). The partners are

  • Birdlife International.
  • IUCN.
  • Wetlands International.
  • WWF.
  • International Water Management Institute.
  • Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

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Standing Committee to Ramsar Convention
  • The Ramsar Convention’s Standing Committee is in charge of managing the Secretariat’s operations and Conventional affairs.
  • The meetings of the standing committee are held on an annual basis.
  • The meetings are held at the secretariat of the Ramsar.
  • In addition, the standing committee often convenes as the Conference Committee, immediately before each meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties.

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Amendments to Ramsar Convention
  • The Ramsar convention initially did not contain any provisions for amendment. Later, in the 1980s, a need was felt for bringing about an amendment in the convention.

The Paris Protocol 1982

  • In 1982, a Memorandum of Understanding between IUCN and IWRB was circulated to the Parties which specified monitoring and development work that IWRB would carry out as a scientific advisor to IUCN.
  • The consensus was reached at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, in December 1982.
  • The Paris Protocol laid forward the procedure for the amendment to the convention. For this, a new article was inserted between Articles 10 and 11 of the original text.

Regina Amendments

  • This put forward that the Conference of the Parties had to meet at intervals of not more than three years.
  • It also brought about a change in the budgetary provision of the convention. It laid down that ‘At each of its ordinary meetings, it shall adopt the budget for the next financial period by a two-thirds majority of Contracting Parties present and voting.

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4th Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan 2016-2024

Vision of 4th Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan 2016-2024

Vision of 4th Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan 2016-2024 – “Wetlands are conserved, wisely used, restored and their benefits are recognized and valued by all”

Features of 4th Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan 2016-2024

  • The Contracting Parties should adopt national wetlands policies, strategies, action plans, initiatives, and programmes to encourage action and support for wetlands in order to implement the Strategic Plan at the national and regional levels. The National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan may include this as an addition or a component.
  • There has to be a synergy among the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Convention on Migratory Species, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and other regional and global MEAs with the convention’s implementation.
  • It highlights that wise use of wetlands would be a multi-stakeholder initiative that would involve local, national, regional, and global partners apart from IOPs, MEAs, and civil society.
  • It also calls for enhanced partnerships among the stakeholders involved to reverse the rate of degradation of wetlands.
  • It stresses on strengthening regional and bilateral cooperation to enhance the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
  • To expand the reach of the convention, it recognizes the use of additional languages.

Read about Environmental Impact Assessment for UPSC Exam on the given link!

India and Ramsar Convention

India became a party to the convention on February 1, 1982. In between 1982 to 2013, 26 Ramsar sites were added to the list by India. The number has only increased in recent years totaling around 75 today.

Conclusion

Ramsar Convention has rightly recognized the importance of wetlands. By emphasizing on wise use of the wetlands it plays a level playing field between sustainable use and development.

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Ramsar Convention FAQs

The focus pillars of the Ramsar convention are the Designation of wetlands of international importance as Ramsar Sites; the Promotion of the wise use of all wetlands in the territory of each country; and International cooperation with other countries to further the wise use of wetlands and their resources

The supporting partners to Ramsar are Birdlife International, IUCN, Wetlands International, WWF, International Water Management Institute, Wildfowl, and Wetlands Trust.

The headquarters of the Ramsar Convention Secretariat is located in Gland, Switzerland

172 countries have signed the Ramsar Convention.

World Wetland Day is celebrated on 2nd February every year.
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