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Subject: Wetlands

  • SC order on mining around Ramsar wetland sites

    Why in the News

    The Supreme Court has clarified that its earlier direction restricting mining within a 10 km radius of the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve now applies to all Wetland Conservation Reserves across India. Mining in such areas will require prior approval from the competent authority.

    What did the Supreme Court clarify?

    • Nationwide Application: The 10 km mining safeguard around the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve will now apply to all Wetland Conservation Reserves.
    • Uniform Principle: The Court held that the protection should apply uniformly across the country.
    • Case Background: The clarification came while hearing an application filed by the Himachal Pradesh Government.
    • State’s Argument: Himachal Pradesh contended that Wetland Conservation Reserves do not have a statutory buffer zone unlike national parks.
    • Further Direction: The Court asked the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) or the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to examine whether the Asan Wetland extends into Himachal Pradesh.

    What is the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve?

    • Location: Situated at the confluence of the Asan and Yamuna rivers in Uttarakhand.
    • Ramsar Status: Declared a Ramsar Site in 2020.
    • Ecological Importance: Supports migratory waterbirds and rich aquatic biodiversity.
    • Judicial Protection: Mining within a 10 km radius requires prior clearance from the NBWL or MoEFCC.

    What are Ramsar Sites?

    • Definition: Wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971) for their international ecological importance.
    • India’s Membership: India became a party to the Convention in 1982.
    • Current Status: India has 101 Ramsar Sites, the highest in Asia.
    • Significance: Ramsar designation commits countries to maintain the ecological character of wetlands but does not itself create a separate statutory protection regime.

    What is the legal position on mining near wetlands?

    • No Statutory Buffer: The Ramsar Convention and the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 do not prescribe a fixed buffer zone around wetlands.
    • 2010 Rules: Earlier rules listed prohibited activities and required prior approval for activities within the wetland’s zone of influence.
    • 2017 Rules: Replaced the earlier framework with a decentralised system led by State Wetland Authorities.
    • Judicial Safeguard: The Supreme Court’s ruling fills this regulatory gap by requiring prior clearance for mining near Wetland Conservation Reserves.

    [2022] Consider the following pairs: Wetland/Lake — Location
    1. Hokera Wetland — Punjab
    2. Renuka Wetland — Himachal Pradesh
    3. Rudrasagar Lake — Tripura
    4. Sasthamkotta Lake — Tamil Nadu
    How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
    (a) Only one pair

    (b) Only two pairs

    (c) Only three pairs

    (d) All four pairs

  • Glaw Lake becomes Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar site

    Why in the News

    Glaw Lake has been designated as Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar Site, making it the state’s first Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

    What is the Ramsar Convention?

    • International treaty: An intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
    • Adopted: 2 February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran.
    • Came into force: 1975.
    • Objective: Promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands through national action and international cooperation.
    • India: A Contracting Party to the Convention.

    What is a Ramsar Site?

    • A wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention for its international ecological importance.
    • Selected based on criteria such as:
      • Unique wetland ecosystems.
      • Biodiversity significance.
      • Habitat for threatened species.
      • Importance for migratory waterbirds.

    Why is Glaw Lake Significant?

    • Location: Arunachal Pradesh.
    • First Ramsar Site: It is the first Wetland of International Importance from the state.
    • Recognition: Enhances conservation of the Eastern Himalayan wetland ecosystem.
    • Implementation: Designated under the Ramsar Convention with the involvement of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Wetlands Division.

    [2019] With reference to Wetlands, consider the following statements:
    1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
    2. They are covered with hydric soils.
    3. Wetlands are often referred to as Kidneys of the Earth.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    [A] 1 and 2 only

    [B] 2 and 3 only

    [C] 1 and 3 only

    [D] 1, 2 and 3

  • What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.

    As per Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”.

    Ramsar Concept of Wise Use

    It refers to the maintenance of ecological character of wetlands through sustainable use, ensuring that benefits derived from wetlands do not lead to long-term degradation.

    Recently, India’s resolution on the ‘‘Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands’’ was adopted at the 15th COP15 to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

    Key Elements of Wise Use

    Maintaining Ecological Character – Conservation of hydrology, biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem services. Eg – Preventing encroachment and regulating land-use.

    Integrated Management Approach – Eg – Wetland Management Committees under Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.

    Avoiding Degradation – Ensuring human activities do not cause pollution, over-extraction, or habitat loss. Eg – Restricting construction and waste discharge around wetlands.

    Sustainable Livelihoods – Supporting communities dependent on wetlands while ensuring ecological health. Eg – regulated fisheries in Ramsar sites.

    Examples of Ramsar Sites in India

    India has 94 Ramsar Sites (highest in Tamil Nadu)

    Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

    A UNESCO World Heritage Site

    Important for migratory birds like Siberian cranes; supports floodwater-based wetland ecology.

    Chilika Lake (Odisha)

    Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon

    Known for Irrawaddy dolphins, rich fisheries, and large wintering bird populations.

    Wetlands are critical natural infrastructure and the Ramsar principle of wise use ensures that development and conservation are balanced.

  • Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.

    As per Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”.

    National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)

    Initiated in 1985-86 for Conservation, restoration and sustainable management of wetlands to maintain ecological character and ecosystem services.

    Implemented through MoEFCC and State Wetland Authorities,

    It is merged with the National Lake conservation program under NPCA (2013).

    Achievements of NWCA

    Ramsar Site Expansion – India increased Ramsar sites to 94 wetlands (2025) with NWCP support.

    Restoration Initiatives – Supported desiltation, sewage diversion and habitat improvement in degraded wetlands. Eg- Ecological restoration of Chilika Lake.

    Financial Support: Central funding to states for priority wetlands has led to tangible improvements. Eg: Loktak Lake (Manipur) saw reduced weed infestation

    Led to creation of Wetlands Rules, 2017 for legal protection.

    Enabled formation of State Wetland Authorities and Management Plans.

    Awareness Generation and Community Engagement – Eg- Initiatives like Wetland Mitras.

    Integrated Management – Promoted catchment and water management approaches for ecological restoration.

    Limitations of National Wetland Conservation Programme

    Inadequate Funding restricted large-scale wetland rejuvenation.

    Encroachment and pollution continue. Eg- Chennai has lost 85% of its wetlands. (WWF)

    Poor Inter-Agency Coordination – Multiplicity of urban, irrigation and forest agencies.

    Private Ownership Barrier – Eg- 55% of India’s 24.24 lakh water bodies are privately owned as per the 2022-23 Water Body Census.

    Land Use Conversion for housing, infrastructure and agriculture. Eg- India has lost nearly 30% of its wetlands in 3 decades due to urbanisation, pollution and farming.

    Invasive Species Proliferation disrupts native biodiversity and oxygen balance. Eg- Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) chokes lakes and ponds across India.

    Climate Change-Induced Hydrological Stress – Changing rainfall and sea-level rise disturb wetland hydrology. Eg- Sundarbans faces salinity intrusion

    Policy Blind Spots – Wetlands excluded from urban master plans and infrastructure planning.

    India’s Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites)

    Chilika Lake (Odisha) – Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and Irrawaddy dolphin habitat.

    Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) – Globally important migratory bird wetland.

    Loktak Lake (Manipur) – World’s only lake with floating phumdis.

    Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir) – One of India’s largest freshwater lakes.

    Wetlands are critical natural infrastructure and key in realising SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:

    1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
    2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
    3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

    Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

  • Consider the following pairs

    Consider the following pairs :
    Wetland/Lake Location
    1. Hokera Wetland — Punjab
    2. Renuka Wetland — Himachal Pradesh
    3. Rudrasagar Lake — Tripura
    4. Sasthamkotta Lake — Tamil Nadu
    How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

  • In India, which one of the following States has the largest inland saline wetland

    In India, which one of the following States has the largest inland saline wetland?

  • India is a party to the Ramsar Convention and has declared many areas as Ramsar Sites.

    India is a party to the Ramsar Convention and has declared many areas as Ramsar Sites.
    Which of the following statements best describes as to how we should maintain these sites in the context of the Convention.

  • With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements

    With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements:
    1. The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
    2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland wetlands.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • With reference to a conservation organization called ‘Wetlands International’, which of the

    With reference to a conservation organization called ‘Wetlands International’, which of the
    following statement/s is/are correct?
    1. It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to
    Ramsar Convention.
    2. It works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge, and use the practical
    experience to advocate for better policies.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: