The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar 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 is the only global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem. The treaty was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and the Convention’s member countries cover all geographic regions of the planet. The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
We believe in learning these lists by grouping them. This makes them easy to memorize and also allows you to answer related questions(For eg. Which state is home to the highest number of Ramsar Convention Sites)
Ramsar Convention Sites(26 across 15 states J&K most-4)
- Hokera Wetland-J&K
- Wular-J&K
- Surinsar Mansar Lake-J&K
- Tsomoriri-J&K
- Chandra Taal-HP
- Pong Dam-HP
- Renuka Lake-HP
- Harike Wetlands-Punjab
- Kanjli Wetland-Punjab
- Ropar Wetland-Punjab
- Sambhar Lake-Rajasthan
- Keoladeo National Park-Rajasthan
- Upper Ganga River(Brijghat to Narora)-UP
- Bhoj Wetland-MP
- Nalsarovar-Gujarat
- Deepor Beel-Assam
- Loktak Lake-Manipur
- Rudrasagar Lake-Tripura
- East Calcutta Wetlands-WB
- Bhitarkanika Mangroves-Orissa
- Chilika Lake-Orissa
- Kolleru Lake-Andhra Pradesh
- Point Calimere-TN
- Sashamkotta Lake-Kerala
- Ashtamudi Wetland-Kerala
- Vembanad-Kerala
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 maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
List of Indian wetlands of International importance included in the Montreux Record are –
1) Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
2) Loktak Lake, Manipur.
Chilika Lake was removed from the register in 2002 in light of the improved conditions of the lake. In fact, Chilika lake is the first Ramsar site in Asia to be removed from the Montreux record