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Ramsar Sites
Context:
The Union Environment Minister announced the addition of three new Ramsar sites in India, bringing the total number to 85.
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The newly designated sites include:
- Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary: In Tamil Nadu, it is situated on the banks of the Noyyal River.
- The wetland is home to species like the Eurasian coot, spot-billed duck, and various herons.
- It also serves as a crucial stopover for migratory birds travelling along the Central Asian Flyway, making it a biodiversity hotspot.
- Kazhuveli Sanctuary: Located on the Coromandel Coast, it is one of the largest brackish water wetlands in South India.
- It also serves as a stopover for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
- Tawa Reservoir: The Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh plays a crucial role in regional water management.
- In addition to supporting local fisheries, Tawa Reservoir supplies irrigation water for agriculture and provides drinking water to nearby communities.
About the Wetlands:
- Definition: According to the Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish, or salt, including areas of marine water where the depth at low tide does not exceed six metres.”
- This broad definition encompasses lakes, rivers, underground aquifers, swamps, marshes, and other significant water bodies.
- Importance: Wetlands play a crucial role in regulating climate conditions through carbon sequestration, which involves capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere.
- The plant life and soil in wetlands trap carbon, preventing its release as carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming.
- According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, wetlands are among the world’s most productive ecosystems, on par with rainforests and coral reefs.
- They support a vast array of species, including microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.
Ramsar Sites
- The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, aimed at promoting the protection and conservation of wetlands globally by designating them as Ramsar sites.
- The selection of Ramsar sites is guided by specific criteria outlined in the convention.
- For instance, a wetland is deemed internationally important if it supports plant or animal species at critical stages of their life cycles or provides refuge during adverse conditions.
- The criteria also consider the wetland’s ability to sustain fish and waterbird populations.
- Organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the World Wide Fund for Nature, and other environmental agencies are affiliated with the treaty.
- The Ramsar Convention has 172 signatory countries, which are committed to establishing wetland reserves and promoting the wise use of wetland habitats.
- India became a signatory in 1982, initially designating Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan as Ramsar sites.
- Today, India ranks among the countries with the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia.
- Tamil Nadu now boasts the highest number of Ramsar sites in the country, with the total reaching 18.
- One of the most famous wetlands in India is the Sundarbans.
- Cold desert regions also have notable wetlands, such as Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso in Ladakh, home to rare and endangered species like the black-necked crane.
Threats to wetlands:
The Indian government has implemented various policies and initiatives to safeguard wetlands, including the National Wetland Conservation Programme of 1986 and the 2015 National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Wetlands. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has identified over 2,200 wetlands for conservation efforts.
Despite these measures, wetlands remain under significant threat. The Ramsar Convention’s Global Wetland Outlook (2018) reported that 35% of global wetlands were lost between 1970 and 2015, largely due to human activities.
The UK-based Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) has identified wetlands as one of the world’s most threatened habitats, with the wildlife that depend on them being some of the most endangered.
According to WWT, the main threats to wetlands include:
- Unsustainable Development: An astounding 87% of the world’s wetlands have been lost over the past 300 years to make way for housing, industry, and agriculture.
- Pollution: Around 80% of global wastewater is discharged into wetlands without treatment, with pollutants from factories, fertilisers, pesticides, and major spills posing severe risks to these ecosystems.
- Invasive Species: Wetland wildlife is particularly vulnerable to invasive species, often introduced by humans.
- Climate Change: Altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures threaten the existence of wetlands and the diverse flora and fauna they support.
Recent Developments in Wetland Conservation in India
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017:
- The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 play a crucial role in enhancing the conservation of wetland ecosystems in India by establishing a comprehensive legal framework and promoting sustainable practices.
- Legal Framework:
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- Regulatory Authority: The rules mandate the establishment of a State Wetland Authority (SWA) in each state and union territory. This authority is responsible for the governance and management of wetlands. It is comprised of experts in various fields, ensuring informed decision-making regarding wetland conservation.
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- National Wetland Committee (NWC): The formation of the NWC underlines the commitment to a coordinated national approach to wetland management. This committee oversees the implementation of the rules and ensures that wetland conservation aligns with national environmental goals.
- Key Provisions:
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- Identification and Notification: The rules require states to compile a list of wetlands and identify those that need formal notification. This process is essential for recognising and protecting significant wetland areas.
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- Prohibition of Harmful Activities: The rules explicitly prohibit activities that can harm wetlands, such as encroachment, industrial waste disposal, and untreated sewage discharge. This legal backing helps to safeguard these ecosystems from degradation.
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- Community Engagement: The SWA is tasked with raising awareness among local communities about the importance of wetlands and promoting community involvement in conservation efforts. This participatory approach is vital for the long-term sustainability of wetland ecosystems.
- Sustainable Management Practices:
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- Wise Use Principle: The rules emphasise the “wise use” of wetlands, which balances conservation with sustainable utilisation. This principle encourages practices that maintain the ecological character of wetlands while allowing for their use in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
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- Digital Inventory: The establishment of a digital inventory of wetlands aids in monitoring and managing these ecosystems effectively. Regular updates ensure that conservation efforts are based on current data and trends.
Challenges and Shortcomings:
- Exclusion of Certain Water Bodies: The rules do not cover river channels, paddy fields, and certain man-made water bodies, potentially leaving significant wetlands unprotected. This exclusion could undermine conservation efforts for approximately 65% of the country’s wetlands.
- Inconsistency in Definitions: The definition of wetlands can vary by state, leading to inconsistencies in conservation practices across the country. This variability can complicate national efforts to protect wetland ecosystems uniformly.
