Ramsar Convention and Wetlands
The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971.
The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971.
Wetlands of international importance
Countries designate 'Ramsar Sites' — wetlands of international importance — for conservation. India has a large and growing number of such sites.
Why wetlands matter
Wetlands provide water, support biodiversity, recharge groundwater, control floods and store carbon, making them among the most productive ecosystems.
The Montreux Record
The Montreux Record lists Ramsar sites where ecological character is threatened or changing; in India, Keoladeo and Loktak have featured on it.
Why it matters for UPSC
The Ramsar Convention, India's Ramsar sites and the Montreux Record are frequently tested Environment facts, especially when new sites are designated.
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Practise PYQs →Frequently asked questions
What is the Ramsar Convention about?
It is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
What is the Montreux Record?
A register of Ramsar wetland sites where ecological character is threatened or has changed.