World Wetlands Day, celebrated globally on February 2nd each year, serves as a reminder of the critical importance of wetlands for biodiversity, water resources, and climate change mitigation.
Ramsar Convention and Indian Wetlands:
India is a party to the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. The Convention, adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, recognizes the ecological importance of wetlands and promotes their wise use. India has designated several wetlands as Ramsar Sites, committing to their conservation and sustainable management.
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017:
In India, the conservation and management of wetlands are primarily governed by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. These rules were formulated to replace the earlier set of guidelines established in 2010, providing a more comprehensive and updated legal framework.
Key provisions of the Wetlands Rules include:
Identification and Notification: The rules outline a process for the identification and notification of wetlands based on their ecological significance. State governments are responsible for preparing and maintaining a list of wetlands within their jurisdictions.
Biodiversity Protection Laws:
In addition to the specific Wetlands Rules, India has broader legislation aimed at conserving biodiversity, which indirectly contributes to the protection of wetlands. The Biological Diversity Act, of 2002, and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972, recognize the need to conserve ecosystems and species, including those found in wetlands.
Community Participation and Awareness:
The success of wetland conservation efforts depends on the active participation of local communities and stakeholders. The Wetlands Rules highlight the importance of raising awareness about wetland values and functions, fostering a sense of responsibility among the public.
Authored by
Mrs. Nivedhitha Kaviyanathan
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global head, sustainability impact
2moThe EU decided to legislate on deforestation, not on the conversion of ALL natural ecosystems, and adopted the FAO's very broad definition of forest (10% canopy cover, 5 meter height) which includes ecosystems that ecologists would rather call woody savannas and shrublands than forests. It does not protect 'non-woody' grasslands or wetlands, but according to Mapbiomas, the most reputable Brazilian land cover system, EUDR does cover about 26% of the Cerrado (28.3M ha - compare to about 1.9M ha of "forested" Cerrado lost between 2000 and 2020). Clearly, other mechanisms do need to be in place to conserve the world's grasslands and other non-woody natural ecosystems from conversion to agriculture. https://mapbiomas-br-site.s3.amazonaws.com/Nota%20T%C3%A9cnica/Nota_T%C3%A9cnica_UE_02.05.2022.pdf