UPSC CSE Prelims
Ramsar Convention Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Only two pairs

This question tests the geographical location of important Ramsar wetlands in India. Out of the four pairs given, only two pairs are correctly matched: Renuka Wetland with Himachal Pradesh and Rudrasagar Lake with Tripura.

✅ Pair 1 – Incorrect: Hokera Wetland is located in Jammu & Kashmir (near Srinagar), not Punjab. It is a natural perennial wetland contiguous to the Jhelum basin.

✅ Pair 2 – Correct: Renuka Wetland is indeed located in Himachal Pradesh (Sirmaur district). It is a natural wetland with freshwater springs and inland subterranean karst formations.

✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Rudrasagar Lake is correctly matched with Tripura. It is a lowland sedimentation reservoir in the northeast hills, fed by three perennial streams discharging into the River Gomti.

✅ Pair 4 – Incorrect: Sasthamkotta Lake is located in Kerala (Kollam district), not Tamil Nadu. It is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.

📝 Short Notes: Important Ramsar Wetlands of India

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — 3 only

Only Statement 3 is correct. The Ramsar Convention does not mandate protection of all wetlands in a country's territory, only those designated as Ramsar sites. The 2010 Rules were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not based on Ramsar recommendations. However, the 2010 Rules do include drainage areas and catchment regions in the definition of wetlands.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Ramsar Convention requires contracting parties to designate suitable wetlands for international importance and promote their wise use, but does not mandate protection of all wetlands in the entire territory.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not based on specific recommendations of the Ramsar Convention.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The 2010 Rules explicitly include the drainage area or catchment regions of wetlands as determined by the authority in the definition of 'wetland'.

📝 Short Notes: Wetlands Conservation Framework in India

• Ramsar Convention (1971): International treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands; India is a signatory since 1982.
• Ramsar Sites in India: Countries designate specific wetlands of international importance; not all wetlands are covered.
• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010: Framed under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; included catchment areas in wetland definition.
• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: Replaced 2010 Rules; streamlined regulatory process and strengthened wetland conservation.
• Definition of Wetland: Includes areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water (natural or artificial, permanent or temporary) with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water.
• Wise Use Concept: Maintenance of ecological character of wetlands through sustainable use compatible with conservation goals.

Detailed Explanation:

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Wetlands International is an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation, not an intergovernmental body. It is supported by government and NGO membership from around the world, but is not formed by Ramsar Convention signatories.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Wetlands International works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge and uses practical experience to advocate for better policies for wetlands conservation and restoration.

Detailed Explanation:

The Montreux Record is a register under the Ramsar Convention that lists wetlands of international importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur due to human interference (pollution, development, etc.).

It serves as an early warning system and triggers priority conservation attention, but does not impose any legal prohibitions on human activities or grant World Heritage status.