Ramsar (Wetlands) Convention, Ramsar Sites in India

• International Treaty for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands (RAMSAR CONVENTION) was signed at a city of Iran called Ramsar in 1971. It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands
• Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world
• There are currently over 2,400 Ramsar Sites around the world. Most Sites are the United Kingdom with 175 and Mexico with 142.
• 2 feb is celebrated as World wetlands day.

RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA

• Ramsar Convention came into force for India on 1st February, 1982.
• On 2nd February 2021, India’s first Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management has been set up in Chennai under MoEFCC at the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM).
• India has total 42 Wetlands of International Importance.
• 42nd : In December 2020 – The Tso Kar Wetland Complex, Ladakh.  This includes the high-altitude wetland complex of two connected lakes, Startsapuk Tso and Tso Kar, in Ladakh.
• 41st: November 2020 in Maharashtra – Lonar Lake
• 40th: Agra (Uttar Pradesh) – Sur Sarovar also called, Keetham Lake, alongside river Yamuna
• 39th: Uttarakhand – Asan Barrage
• 38th: Kabartal Wetland (Bihar)

• Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of Ramsar Sites in India
• Renuka lake in Himachal Pradesh Smallest Ramsar Sites in India
• Vembanad – Kol is Largest Ramsar Sites in India with 151,250 ha

LIST OF RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA

List of all Ramsar Sites in India

MONTREUX RECORD

• The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
• It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
• At present, two wetlands of India are in Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Chilika Lake (Odisha) was placed in the record but later removed from it.