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?
[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
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: Incorrect. The Ramsar Convention requires contracting parties to designate suitable wetlands for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites) and to promote the conservation and wise use of all wetlands in their territory. It does not mandate the protection and conservation of *all* wetlands in a strictly legal, uniform sense under the Convention itself, but encourages national actions. The primary obligation under the convention relates to the listed sites and promoting general wetland conservation.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention: Correct (interpreted in a broader sense). While not framed based on specific *recommendations* for these exact rules, the Rules were developed by the Indian government as a step towards fulfilling its commitments as a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, which encourages parties to establish national wetland policies and legislative frameworks. The Rules cite India’s commitments under the 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: Correct. The 2010 Rules explicitly included the “drainage area or catchment region of the wetlands as determined by the concerned State Government or the Union territory Administration” within the scope of the regulated areas (Rule 3(1)(i) explanation). This provision was later removed in the 2017 rules.