Why this matters now
Ramsar Convention is tested for: 2 Feb 1971 signing at Ramsar (Iran); world’s oldest MEA; broad “wise use” mandate; Ramsar Sites = Wetlands of International Importance; Montreux Record (threatened sites); Ramsar Site criteria (9); India ratification 1982; Chilika Lake + Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary = 1st Indian Ramsar Sites 1981; 89 sites by August 2024; Sundarbans + Kolleru + Loktak Lake on Montreux Record; Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017; India’s “Saving Wetlands Saving Wisdom” theme 2024.
Core Obligations
4 main obligations of party countries:
- Designate at least one Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) for the Ramsar List — based on 9 criteria.
- Promote wise use of all wetlands in their territory (not just Ramsar sites).
- Establish nature reserves on wetlands.
- Cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands + shared species.
9 Ramsar Site criteria — site qualifies if it meets at least ONE:
- Group A (1 criterion): site contains representative, rare, or unique wetland type.
- Group B (8 criteria): site important for conserving biological diversity — rare/endangered species, ecological communities, waterbirds, fish, etc.
Wetland definition: all natural + man-made wetlands — lakes, rivers, marshes, peatlands, oases, mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries + areas of marine water up to 6 m depth at low tide.
Montreux Record
Montreux Record — established 1990 — sub-list of Ramsar Sites where ecological character has changed, is changing, or is likely to change due to technological developments, pollution or other human interference. Site is added at request of the country (voluntary).
India’s Montreux Record sites:
- Chilika Lake (Odisha) — added 1993 due to siltation; removed 2002 after restoration.
- Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) — added 1990, still on. Water-supply disputes.
- Loktak Lake (Manipur) — added 1993. Phumdis (floating biomass) + Ithai barrage issues.
- Kolleru Lake (AP) — was on (1995-2002) but de-listed.
India + Ramsar
India ratified Ramsar on 1 February 1982. As of August 2024: 89 Ramsar Sites in India covering ~1.36 million hectares — largest network in Asia.
1st Indian Ramsar Sites (designated 1 Oct 1981 before ratification):
- Chilika Lake (Odisha) — largest brackish-water lagoon in Asia.
- Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) — man-made wetland; Siberian Crane wintering ground.
5 Largest: Sundarbans WB (4.23 lakh ha), Vembanad-Kol Kerala (1.51 lakh ha), Chilika Odisha (1.16 lakh ha), Kolleru AP (90,100 ha), Wular Lake J&K (15,000 ha).
Recent designations (2024): Tawa Reservoir + Naturalpara Wetland MP; Sirpur Lake MP; Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary Gujarat; Tampara Lake + Hirakud Reservoir + Ansupa Lake Odisha; Yashwant Sagar MP; Thane Creek Maharashtra (2022); Aghanashini Estuary Karnataka.
Implementation: Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 (replaced 2010 Rules); National Wetlands Authority at Centre; State Wetland Authorities (SWAs) per state. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA). Amrit Dharohar Initiative.
UPSC angle
Know RAMSAR CONVENTION — Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat; SIGNED 2 FEBRUARY 1971 RAMSAR IRAN; IN FORCE 21 DEC 1975; 172 PARTIES; WORLD’S OLDEST MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreement; INDIA RATIFIED 1 FEBRUARY 1982; WORLD WETLANDS DAY 2 FEBRUARY; CORE OBLIGATIONS: (1) Designate at least 1 Wetland of International Importance Ramsar Site based on 9 criteria, (2) Promote “WISE USE” all wetlands, (3) Establish nature reserves on wetlands, (4) Cooperate transboundary; 9 RAMSAR CRITERIA Group A (1) representative/rare/unique wetland + Group B (8) biological diversity rare/endangered species+ecological communities+waterbirds+fish; WETLAND DEFINITION broad: all natural+man-made lakes/rivers/marshes/peatlands/oases/mangroves/coral reefs/estuaries + marine waters up to 6m depth low tide; MONTREUX RECORD est 1990 sub-list ecological character changed/changing/likely change (voluntary country request); INDIA MONTREUX: CHILIKA 1993 siltation REMOVED 2002 after restoration; KEOLADEO Bharatpur 1990 STILL ON water-supply disputes; LOKTAK Manipur 1993 STILL ON phumdis+Ithai barrage; Kolleru AP 1995-2002 delisted; INDIA Aug 2024 89 RAMSAR SITES ~1.36 million ha LARGEST NETWORK ASIA; 1ST INDIA SITES designated 1 Oct 1981 (before ratification): CHILIKA Odisha largest brackish-water lagoon Asia + KEOLADEO Bharatpur Siberian Crane wintering; 5 LARGEST: Sundarbans WB 4.23 lakh ha, Vembanad-Kol Kerala 1.51 lakh ha, Chilika Odisha 1.16 lakh ha, Kolleru AP 90100 ha, Wular Lake J&K 15000 ha; recent 2024 designations: Tawa Reservoir+Naturalpara Wetland MP, Sirpur Lake MP, Khijadia WLS Gujarat, Tampara+Hirakud+Ansupa Odisha, Yashwant Sagar MP, Thane Creek Maharashtra (2022), Aghanashini Estuary Karnataka; WETLANDS (CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT) RULES 2017 (replaced 2010 Rules) + National Wetlands Authority Centre + State Wetland Authorities + NPCA National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems + AMRIT DHAROHAR Initiative.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Ramsar Convention signed?
2 February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran. Entered into force 21 December 1975. World’s oldest multilateral environmental agreement.
How many Ramsar Sites does India have?
89 as of August 2024 — the largest network in Asia, covering ~1.36 million hectares.
Which were India’s first Ramsar Sites?
Chilika Lake (Odisha) + Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) — both designated 1 October 1981 (before India formally ratified in February 1982).
What is the Montreux Record?
A sub-list of Ramsar Sites where ecological character has changed due to human interference. India’s Keoladeo and Loktak Lake are currently on it; Chilika was added 1993 and removed 2002 after successful restoration.