India leads Asia with the largest network of 103 designated Ramsar sites of international importance.
Distilled Policy Brief
- To qualify as an internationally important Ramsar site, a wetland must fulfill at least one of nine criteria categorized into groups covering wetland types and biodiversity conservation.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
India became a party to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982, and currently holds the largest network of Ramsar sites in Asia with 103 sites.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Examine the role of community-driven initiatives like Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, in enhancing India's ecological and climate resilience.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to Wetlands and the Ramsar Convention, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, marine water areas where the depth exceeds six metres at low tide are included within the standard definition of a wetland. 2. India became a Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention in 1982 and currently ranks first in Asia in terms of the number of designated Ramsar sites. 3. The three fundamental pillars of the Ramsar Convention include the wise use of all wetlands, designation and effective management of Ramsar sites, and international cooperation. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Ramsar definition includes marine water areas where the depth at low tide does not exceed six metres. Statement 2 is correct as India joined the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982 and holds the first rank in Asia (and third globally) for the highest number of Ramsar sites (103 sites). Statement 3 is correct as the text explicitly outlines wise use, designation/effective management, and international cooperation as the three key pillars of the Ramsar Convention.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.