Environment ยท GS3
India's 100th Ramsar site
One line
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary became India's 100th Ramsar site, marking another wetland of international importance.
Summary
The milestone is useful only if designation leads to protection of ecological character. Wetland health depends on catchment flows, pollution control, invasive-species management, and local livelihoods.
PYQ pattern
UPSC often turns this issue into statement-based questions on institutions, mechanisms, and policy limits. Use the official UPSC question-paper archive.
Core notes
- The Ramsar Convention promotes conservation and wise use of wetlands.
- Wise use means maintaining ecological character through ecosystem approaches within sustainable development.
- Designation does not automatically make a wetland a national park or place it on the Montreux Record.
- Wetlands support water storage, flood moderation, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and livelihoods.
Prelims lens
- The Ramsar Convention was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
- The Montreux Record concerns Ramsar sites facing or likely to face adverse ecological change.
- A Ramsar site's catchment may extend beyond its notified boundary.
MCQ 1
Consider the following statements:
- The Ramsar Convention was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
- Every Ramsar site is automatically included in the Montreux Record.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 only
- C. Both 1 and 2
- D. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answerHide answer
A
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: every Ramsar site is automatically included in the Montreux Record is not a valid conclusion.
MCQ 2
The central idea of the Ramsar Convention is:
- A. Conservation and wise use of wetlands
- B. Regulation of nuclear waste
- C. Prohibition of all fishing worldwide
- D. Allocation of radio spectrum
Reveal answerHide answer
A
The Convention provides the global framework for conserving wetlands and using them wisely.
Mains
Question, 10 marks, 150 words: Why must Ramsar-site management extend beyond the legal boundary of the wetland?
Approach:
- Define ecological character and wise use.
- Explain catchment flows and upstream pollution.
- Discuss livelihoods and institutional coordination.
- Recommend basin-level monitoring and community stewardship.