THREE NEW RAMSAR SITES

What is a WETLAND?

It is an area of land that is either saturated or covered with water. It is a transition zone between aquatic ecosystem and terrestrial ecosystem with water depth not exceeding 6 meters. 

Wetlands that are of international importance are known as Ramsar sites. 

Why are wetlands designated as “Ramsar sites”?

Iran has a city called Ramsar. At Ramsar, an international agreement for the preservation of wetlands and their sustainable use was reached in 1971. The goal of the Convention is to “assist in the achievement of sustainable development worldwide by the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, national, and international cooperation.”

Ratification of the Ramsar Convention by India

India has demonstrated its commitment to global wetland conservation by ratifying the Ramsar Convention. India has committed to safeguarding its wetlands and advancing their sustainable utilization by ratifying this international agreement.

On February 1st, 1982, India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention.
Contracting Parties: Of the 172 parties to the convention, around 2466 have wetland ecosystems spanning an estimated 255,897,679 hectares.
International cooperation: It guarantees cross-border cooperation among the members on wetlands, shared wetland systems, and shared species by designating the appropriate wetlands as “Wetlands of International Importance.” 

Ramsar Sites in India 

Ramsar sites includes all lakes, rivers, underground aquifers, swamps, marshes, and other major water bodies.
According to the most recent data available, 4.63% area of India if of wetland. India has 1301 wetlands in total, of which 85 are Ramsar Wetlands and 114 are Significant Wetlands. The fact that 85 locations are designated as Ramsar sites underlines the nation’s dedication to wetland protection. The Ramsar Convention is an international convention for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
The list of Ramsar sites in India now includes the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and the Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh. 

List of Newly Designated Ramsar Sites

Types of Wetlands in India 

• Inland Wetlands: Mostly located inland and supplied with fresh water are inland wetlands.
  a. Lakes are naturally occurring depressions created by cut-off river meanders. The largest freshwater lake in India is Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir, and Dal Lake in Kashmir is well-known for houseboats.
  b. River floodplains are areas of land adjacent to rivers that occasionally flood. For example, the floodplains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, which are home to the biggest river island, Majuli, support abundant agriculture and biodiversity.
  c. Marshes and Swamps: Freshwater wetlands with eroding plant matter and water rich in minerals. Regarding E-Hirakud Reservoir in Odisha, the biggest artificial lake in India
  d. Oxbow Lakes: Lakes with a horseshoe shape created by a river meandering off course. Take Assam’s Deepor Beel, for instance. 
• Coastal Wetlands: Affected by tides, they are located at the interface between land and sea.
  a. Estuaries: These are places where ocean seawater and freshwater from rivers mingle. For Example: the largest brackish water lagoon in India, Chilika Lake in Odisha
  b. Mangroves: These are salt-tolerant plants and trees that are found in the intertidal zones along coasts. For instance, the Indian Sundarbans’ mangroves
  c. Backwaters: These are protected lagoons created when river mouths are closed off.
  d. Tidal Flats: Coastal locations that are periodically inundated and contain a mixture of sand, mud, and salt. For example, Gujarat’s Gulf of Kutch, which is well-known as a migratory bird’s breeding and wintering habitat.

List of Ramsar Sites in India : 

Importance of Wetlands : 

• Filtering of excessive sediments, pollutants and heavy metals which helps in purifying water. 
• It helps in nutrient cycling. 
• It helps in groundwater recharge. 
• It supports a large diversity of flora and fauna. 
• Provides freshwater for human consumption.
• Provides food for both animals and humans. 
• It helps in controlling floods.
• It controls soil erosion.
• It supports tourism and recreational activities. 
• It helps in climate change mitigation. 
• It controls coastal erosion. 
• It supports Migratory birds. 

Threats associated with Wetlands : 

• Unplanned urbanisation and unsustainable development have led to the loss of wetlands. 
• Conversion of wetlands for agricultural fields. 
• The water pollution through urban sewage, agricultural waste, and excessive use of fertilisers.  Eg: Bellandur Lake, Bharatpur Wetland Sanctuary. 
• Climate change – varied rainfall and temperature patterns. 

Conservation Measures for Wetlands : 

Wetlands are essential for maintaining biodiversity, managing floods, and filtering water. In addition to offering habitats for a variety of animals, they store carbon, which slows down global warming. Wetlands are beneficial to agriculture, tourism, and fishing economically. However, pollution and urbanization pose a threat to them. Wetlands must be preserved if their ecological and financial benefits are to continue. Let’s examine several initiatives and actions to preserve wetlands at different scales:

On a Global Scale

a. Montreux Record: Founded in 1990, the Montreux Record is a registry of wetland locations on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, where ecological transformations brought about by pollution, technological advancements, or other human activities have happened, are happening, or are anticipated to happen.
It acts as a vehicle for raising awareness of these locations and enabling urgent conservation actions.
World Wetlands Day: Held annually on February 2nd, the day commemorates the 1971 adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It seeks to promote action to stop the degradation and loss of wetlands and to increase global awareness of the critical role that wetlands play for people and the environment. 

On National Level :  

• The 2017 National Level Rules for the Conservation and Management of Wetlands : It offers a foundation for India’s wetlands management and conservation. It specifies the establishment of State Wetland Authorities, highlights the importance of preserving the ecological integrity of wetlands, and describes the procedures for locating and designating wetlands for protection.

The regulations also forbid anything that could jeopardize the natural integrity of wetlands and encourage community participation in conservation initiatives. 

• National Plan for Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation (NPCA): 2015– It is a comprehensive plan designed to manage and conserve India’s lakes and wetlands. The National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and the National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) were combined to create it. It focuses on putting into practice an all-encompassing strategy for protecting aquatic habitats through community engagement, research, and capacity building.
•  Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme 2023:  It is to improve the abilities and capabilities of those who are involved in the management and preservation of wetlands. It gives local populations, government representatives, and conservationists the tools and training they need to manage and safeguard wetland ecosystems.
  It encourages the application of traditional knowledge and sustainable methods in wetland conservation initiatives.
• Program for the Conservation of Wetlands (NWCP): 1987– It encourages the prudent use and preservation of wetlands. The initiative gives state governments financial support to create and carry out management action plans for designated wetlands. Its goals are to stop wetlands from being destroyed, support their restoration, and educate the public and decision-makers on the value of wetlands.

Conclusion :

Ramsar sites play a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity and ecological balance of our planet, serving as vital sanctuaries for countless species and ensuring the sustainability of our natural resources for future generations.

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