Question

Q9. Consider the following statements:

1. Ramsar Convention was signed in Iran in 1971.

2. It is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

3. Ramsar Convention is the only global environment treaty dealing with a particular ecosystem.

Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?

• A. a) 1 and 2 only
• B. b) 1 and 3 only
• C. c) 2 and 3 only
• D. d) All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D

d) All of the above

• The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
• There are presently 168 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 2,186 wetland sites, totalling 215 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
• When a country accedes to the Convention, it must designate at least one wetland site as a Wetland of International Importance.
• The country with the most sites is the United Kingdom with 170.
• Ramsar Convention is the only global environment treaty dealing with a particular ecosystem.
• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was developed as a means to call international attention to the rate at which wetland habitats were disappearing, in part due to a lack of understanding of their important functions, values, goods and services.
• Governments that join the Convention are expressing their willingness to make a commitment to helping to reverse that history of wetland loss and degradation.
• In addition, many wetlands are international systems lying across the boundaries of two or more countries, or are part of river basins that include more than one country.
• The health of these and other wetlands is dependent upon the quality and quantity of the trans-boundary water supply from rivers, streams, lakes, or underground aquifers.
• This requires framework for international discussion and cooperation toward mutual benefits.
• Major obligations of countries which are party to the Convention are:
• Designate wetlands for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International

Importance

• Promote, as far as possible, the wise use of wetlands in their territory.
• Promote international cooperation especially with regard to trans-boundary wetlands, shared water systems, and shared species.
• Create wetland reserves