Wetland Conservation Programme, Ramsar Convention and The Montreux Record.

<<–2/”>a >a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/wetland-conservation-programme/”>Wetland Conservation Programme

• Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic system where the water table is usually near the water surface and land is covered by shallow water.
• Essential as: control floods, water treatment, recharging of water sources, reduce sediments, check Soil erosion, bulwark against encroachment by the sea, winter resort for birds and important for Flora and Fauna. They also provide a variety of Resources
• Ramsar Convention: MANGROVES, Corals, estuaries, bays, creeks, flood plains, sea Grasses, lakes etc included
• A programme on conservation of wetlands was initiated in 1987 with the basic objective of identification of wetlands of national importance, assessment of wetland resources, promotion of R&D activities and formulation and implementation of management action plans
• A steering committee in each state headed by the Chief Secretary consists of members from all departments related to the wetland conservation in the state. Successful model.
• India is a member of the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention On Wetlands, 1971

• Steps forward
  • Make use of the traditional knowledge of the people living near the wetlands for its conservation along with the engineering solutions
  • Monitor the impact of implementation of management action plans
• Wetlands of India under Ramsar Convention

The Montreux Record. Sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance which are considered to have undergone, to be undergoing, or to be likely to undergo change in their ecological character brought about by human action may be placed on the Montreux Record and may benefit from the application of the Ramsar Advisory Mission and other forms of technical assistance.

• Keoladeo national park and Loktak lake from India are included in the list

Changwon Declaration

The primary purpose of the  “Changwon Declaration on human well-being and wetlands”,adopted by Resolution X.3 of the recent meeting of the Conference of the Parties, “is to transmit key messages concerning wetland-related issues to the many stakeholders and decision-makers beyond the Ramsar community who are relevant to the conservation and wise use of wetlands, to inform their actions and decision-making”

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Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. They include marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens. Wetlands play an important role in the Environment, providing habitat for wildlife, filtering water, and storing carbon.

The Wetland Conservation Programme (WCP) is a global initiative to protect wetlands. The WCP was launched in 1971 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The objectives of the WCP are to:

• Conserve wetlands and their resources
• Promote the wise use of wetlands
• Raise awareness of the importance of wetlands

The WCP works to achieve its objectives through a variety of activities, including:

• Providing technical assistance to countries
• Supporting research on wetlands
• Raising awareness of the importance of wetlands

The WCP has a number of partners, including governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. The WCP is funded by a variety of sources, including UNEP, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and bilateral donors.

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that was adopted in 1971. The Convention is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where it was signed. The objectives of the Ramsar Convention are to:

• Promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands
• Recognize the importance of wetlands at the international, national, and local levels
• Provide a framework for cooperation between countries on wetland conservation

The Ramsar Convention has 171 parties (countries that have ratified the Convention). The List of Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar List, includes 2,468 wetlands in 171 countries. The Montreux Record is a list of wetlands that are threatened by degradation or destruction.

The Montreux Record was established in 1990. The purpose of the Montreux Record is to provide a mechanism for countries to report on the conservation status of their wetlands. The Montreux Record includes information on the threats to wetlands, the measures that are being taken to conserve them, and the progress that is being made.

The Montreux Record is a valuable tool for monitoring the conservation status of wetlands. It helps countries to identify and address the threats to their wetlands. The Montreux Record also helps to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and the need for their conservation.

Wetlands are important Ecosystems that provide a variety of benefits to humans and the environment. The Wetland Conservation Programme and the Ramsar Convention are two important initiatives that are working to protect wetlands. The Montreux Record is a valuable tool that helps to monitor the conservation status of wetlands.

What is a wetland?

A wetland is an area of land that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens. They are important ecosystems that provide a variety of benefits, including flood control, water purification, and habitat for wildlife.

What are the different types of wetlands?

There are many different types of wetlands, but they can be broadly divided into two categories: freshwater wetlands and saltwater wetlands. Freshwater wetlands are found in areas where the water is fresh, such as rivers, lakes, and streams. Saltwater wetlands are found in areas where the water is salty, such as coastal marshes and estuaries.

What are the benefits of wetlands?

Wetlands provide a variety of benefits, including:

• Flood control: Wetlands can absorb excess water during floods, which helps to protect downstream communities from flooding.
• Water purification: Wetlands filter water and remove pollutants, which helps to improve water quality.
• Habitat for wildlife: Wetlands provide a home for a variety of Plants and animals, including fish, birds, and reptiles.
• Recreation: Wetlands can be used for recreation activities such as fishing, bird watching, and hiking.

What are the threats to wetlands?

Wetlands are threatened by a number of factors, including:

• Development: Wetlands are often converted to other land uses, such as agriculture or housing.
• Pollution: Wetlands are often polluted by runoff from farms, factories, and other sources.
• Climate change: Climate Change is causing sea levels to rise, which is inundating some wetlands.

What can be done to protect wetlands?

There are a number of things that can be done to protect wetlands, including:

• Creating wetland preserves: Wetland preserves are areas of land that are set aside for the protection of wetlands.
• Regulating development: Regulations can be put in place to prevent the development of wetlands.
• Reducing pollution: Pollution can be reduced by implementing pollution control measures.
• Raising awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of wetlands can help to protect them.

What is the Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that was signed in 1971. The Convention aims to conserve and wise use of wetlands. As of 2022, there are 171 parties to the Convention.

What is the Montreux Record?

The Montreux Record is a list of wetlands that are threatened by changes in water levels. The Record was established in 1999 as a way to monitor the status of wetlands and to provide information to help protect them.

1. Which of the following is not a type of wetland?
   (A) Marsh
   (B) Swamp
   (C) Lake
   (D) Ocean

2. Wetlands are important because they:
   (A) Provide habitat for many different species of plants and animals.
   (B) Help to regulate the water cycle.
   (C) Filter pollutants from the water.
   (D) All of the above.

3. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that was signed in 1971. The goal of the convention is to:
   (A) Protect wetlands.
   (B) Promote the wise use of wetlands.
   (C) Both (A) and (B).

4. The Montreux Record is a list of wetlands that are threatened by human activities. The list is maintained by:
   (A) The Ramsar Convention.
   (B) The United Nations Environment Programme.
   (C) The World Conservation Union.

5. Which of the following is not a threat to wetlands?
   (A) Drainage for agriculture or development.
   (B) Pollution.
   (C) Overexploitation of resources.
   (D) Climate change.

6. What is the most common type of wetland?
   (A) Marsh
   (B) Swamp
   (C) Bog
   (D) Fen

7. Wetlands are found in all of the following continents except:
   (A) Africa.
   (B) Asia.
   (C) Australia.
   (D) Antarctica.

8. Wetlands cover about what Percentage of the Earth’s surface?
   (A) 1%.
   (B) 2%.
   (C) 3%.
   (D) 4%.

9. What is the name of the world’s largest wetland?
   (A) The Pantanal.
   (B) The Everglades.
   (C) The Amazon River Basin.
   (D) The Okavango Delta.

10. Wetlands provide a variety of ecosystem Services, including:
    (A) Flood control.
    (B) Water purification.
    (C) Sedimentation control.
    (D) All of the above.

11. Wetlands are important for Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity because they provide habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Some of the animals that live in wetlands include:
    (A) Birds.
    (B) Fish.
    (C) Reptiles.
    (D) All of the above.

12. Wetlands are also important for recreation. Some of the activities that people enjoy doing in wetlands include:
    (A) Fishing.
    (B) Hunting.
    (C) Birdwatching.
    (D) All of the above.

13. Wetlands are threatened by a variety of human activities, including:
    (A) Drainage for agriculture or development.
    (B) Pollution.
    (C) Overexploitation of resources.
    (D) Climate change.

14. What can be done to protect wetlands?
    (A) We can create laws that protect wetlands.
    (B) We can educate people about the importance of wetlands.
    (C) We can restore damaged wetlands.
    (D) All of the above.

15. Wetlands are a valuable resource that provides many benefits to humans and the environment. It is important to protect wetlands so that they can continue to provide these benefits.