Ramsar Convention
The swift decline of wetlands is causing the loss of services, which directly impacts human well-being. This prompted some countries and NGOs to start discussing ways to conserve wetlands globally. The negotiations started in the 1960s and 18 nations agreed to the text of the Ramsar Convention in the Ramsar Conference held in 1971. The Convention came into force in 1975 and Australia became the first country to accede to the convention. This is the only treaty exclusively for a particular ecosystem. Originally focusing on the water birds, the convention has evolved it’s scope to cover all aspects of wetland conservation.
As per the 3 pillars of the Ramsar Convention, the countries will:
- Ensure wise use of all wetlands within their territories.
- Declare eligible wetlands within their territories as Wetlands of International Importance, the list of which is called the Ramsar List, and ensure their effective management.
- Cooperate internationally for trans boundary wetlands.
Currently, there are over 2400 wetlands in the Ramsar convention list, and it entered into force in India on 1st February 1982 and initially declared Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park as Ramsar sites. Today India has declared 47 wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance.
Wetlands and Wise Use Principle of the Ramsar Convention
Wetlands are distinct ecosystems, that are flooded either permanently or temporarily resulting in an anoxic (oxygen-free) environment and hydric soils. These may be considered as ecotones, providing a transition between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These are characterized by the hydric soils and hydrophytes (aquatic plants) adapted to wetland conditions.
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