GS3 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Wetlands | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (UPSC MAINS GS3 )

Wetlands are defined as the areas of marsh, fen, peatland/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 6 mtrs. Wetlands are areas intermediate in character between deep water and terrestrial habitats.
These habitats experience periodic flooding from adjacent deep water habitats and therefore support plants and animals specifically adapted to such shallow flooding or water logging of the substrate Ramsar concept of “wise use” At the centre of the Ramsar Covention philosophy is the “wise use” of wetlands.
The Convention defines wise use of wetlands as “the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development”. Wise use can thus be seen as the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and all the services they provide, for the benefit of people and nature.
In 1990, the Contracting Parties adopted guidelines for the implementation of the wise use concept which emphasized the importance of: 

• Adopting national wetland policies, either separately or as a component of wider initiatives such as national environmental action plans; 
• Developing programmes covering wetland inventory, monitoring, research, training, education and public awareness; and 
• Taking action at wetland sites, involving the development of integrated management plans covering every aspect of the wetlands and their relationships with their catchments. Ramsar sites from India.
• Loktak Lake, Manipur was included on the Montreux Record of Ramsar Convention in 1993, as a result of ecological problems such as deforestation in the catchment area, infestation of water hyacinth and pollution. 
• Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan was placed on the Montreux Rrecord in 1990 due to water shortage and unbalanced grazing regime around it.

Topics Covered - Wetlands