Wetlands are very rich and diverse ecosystems. Of the wetlands of int...
The correct answer is option 'B', the Ramsar Convention.
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. It is officially called the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat. This convention is dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands, recognizing their ecological importance and the vital role they play in maintaining biodiversity and providing various ecosystem services.
The Ramsar Convention aims to achieve the following objectives:
1. Conservation: The convention promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands, recognizing their importance for maintaining ecological processes, biodiversity, and the overall health of the planet. It encourages the establishment of protected areas and the implementation of management plans to ensure the long-term conservation of wetland habitats.
2. International Cooperation: The Ramsar Convention facilitates international cooperation among member countries for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It encourages the exchange of scientific knowledge, technical expertise, and information related to wetland conservation.
3. Identification and Designation of Wetlands of International Importance: The convention provides a framework for identifying and designating wetlands of international importance, also known as Ramsar sites. These sites are recognized for their significant ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological value. There are currently over 2,400 Ramsar sites around the world, covering a total area of over 250 million hectares.
4. Wise Use of Wetlands: The Ramsar Convention emphasizes the wise use of wetlands, taking into account the ecological, social, cultural, and economic aspects. It promotes sustainable development practices that maintain the ecological character of wetlands while providing benefits to local communities.
5. Public Awareness and Education: The convention encourages public awareness and education about the importance of wetlands and the need for their conservation. It promotes the involvement of local communities, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders in wetland management and decision-making processes.
In conclusion, the Ramsar Convention is the international treaty that specifically protects wetlands on a global basis. It aims to conserve and sustainably manage wetlands, recognizing their ecological importance and the need for international cooperation in their conservation efforts.
Wetlands are very rich and diverse ecosystems. Of the wetlands of int...
- Wetlands are areas lying along the banks of rivers and lakes, and coastal regions. They are life-supporting systems providing fish, forest products, water, flood control, erosion buffering, a plant gene pool, wildlife, recreation, and tourism areas.
- Though they are endowed with a rich biodiversity yet of late, they are being greatly exploited.
- A number of factors have been responsible for the depletion of wetland areas mainly the mangrove forests, along the coasts of India. Intensive aquaculture development, deforestation, pollution from tankers, domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents are some of the factors.
- In 1981, Chilika Lake, India's largest brackish water lagoon, was the first site to be designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.