India's Ramsar Tally Reaches 91: Wetlands in Focus
The Ramsar Convention
Adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and in force since 1975, the Convention on Wetlands is the only global treaty dedicated to a single ecosystem. India acceded in 1982, designating Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) as its first sites.
- Khichan: a village wetland famed for wintering Demoiselle cranes fed by the local community.
- Menar: a 'bird village' complex of three lakes hosting over 100 bird species, protected by community norms.
- Tamil Nadu has the most Ramsar sites of any State (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
Why Wetlands Matter
- Carbon sinks: peatlands and mangroves store disproportionately large carbon per hectare.
- Flood buffers and groundwater recharge — the 'kidneys of the landscape'.
- Biodiversity hotspots and staging grounds on the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.
Test Yourself
2 graded questions · Prelims format
Consider the following statements about the Ramsar Convention:
- 1.It was adopted in 1971 and India became a party in 1982.
- 2.The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites where ecological changes have occurred or are likely.
- 3.Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park were India's first Ramsar sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Previous Year Questions on this topic
Consider the following statements:
- 1.Amarkantak Hills are at the confluence of Vindhya and Sahyadri Ranges.
- 2.Biligirirangan Hills constitute the easternmost part of Satpura Range.
- 3.Seshachalam Hills constitute the southernmost part of Western Ghats.
Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin?
Related Reading
Picked by shared GS paper & subject tags
Bharat Forecast System: India's Highest-Resolution Weather Model
The indigenously developed Bharat Forecast System runs at a 6-kilometre grid — the finest operational resolution among global weather models — sharpening monsoon and extreme-rain predictions.
Coral Reef Restoration in the Lakshadweep Sea
A new marine restoration mission targets bleaching-hit reefs around the Lakshadweep atolls, linking biodiversity, the blue economy and climate resilience.
Great Nicobar Island Project: Development vs Ecology
The ₹72,000-crore mega infrastructure project reignites the debate on tribal rights, forest clearances and India's strategic maritime interests at the mouth of the Malacca Strait.