Ramsar Sites in India

Prelims – Current events of national importance

Mains (GS I & III) - Distribution of Key Natural Resources| Conservation.

Why in News?

Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Dr. Musonda Mumba, recently said that India (89) has more Ramsar sites compared to China (82).

• Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention.

Ramsar Convention  is an international treaty that promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands came into force in 1975.

• They are crucial for biodiversity conservation, water quality, and climate regulation.
• The wetland sites range from mountains to the sea.
• Wetlands are referred to as the “Kidneys of the Earth”.

In India

• At Present, India has 89 Ramsar sites, covering 8% of total wetlands area in India.

• Significance - Wetlands represent the largest carbon reservoirs on the planet.
• They play a crucial role in purifying and filtering contaminated water.
• The availability of food is closely linked to the health of wetlands.
• Additionally, wetlands help to reduce the impact of extreme weather events.
• They also create employment opportunities and support sustainable livelihoods.
• Nearly half of all animal species rely on wetlands for their habitat and reproduction.

Wetland Conservation in India

• Wetlands of India Portal- Launched on October 2, 2021, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), this portal provides comprehensive information on India's wetlands.
• National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas - Prepared by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, this atlas highlights the changes in wetlands across the country over the past decade.
• Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM) - Established in 2021, this center focuses on addressing research needs and knowledge gaps in wetland conservation.
• Wetlands Rejuvenation Program - Initiated by MoEFCC in 2020, this program aims to rejuvenate wetlands across India.
• Integration with River Basin Management - The Namami Gange program integrates wetland conservation with river basin management, serving as a model framework for the entire country.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems - In 2013, the National Wetlands Conservation Program and the National Lake Conservation Plan were combined to create the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems.
• Amrit Dharohar Scheme - Key initiative aimed at optimizing wetland utilization.
• MoEFCC's Wetlands Rejuvenation Program - Launched in 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) initiated the Wetlands Rejuvenation Program.
• National Wildlife Action Plan - The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) emphasizes the conservation of inland aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands.
• It advocates for a national wetlands mission to preserve these habitats, recognizing their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Integration with Namami Gange - On World Wetlands Day 2021, the Ministry of Jal Shakti highlighted the integration of wetland conservation with the Namami Gange program.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has pioneered initiatives that serve as models for wetland conservation nationwide.
• This includes developing health cards and management plans for 10 wetlands in each of the 50-plus Ganga districts, blending scientific expertise with community involvement.

Reference

The Hindu | Ramsar sites