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?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Ramsar Convention is not a regulatory regime and has no punitive sanctions for violations of or defaulting upon treaty commitments – nevertheless, its terms do constitute a solemn treaty and are binding in international law in that sense. It obliges countries to maintain the ecological character of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites) and to promote the “wise use” of all wetlands.
• However, there is no mandatory legal requirement for the Government of India to protect and conserve all wetlands in its territory under the Ramsar Convention.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 (under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986) were notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. However, these rules were not specifically framed based on recommendations from the Ramsar Convention.

Statement 3 is correct

• As per Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, a “wetland” means an area or 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, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres and includes all inland waters such as lakes, reservoir, tanks, backwaters, lagoon, creeks, estuaries and manmade wetland and the zone of direct influence on wetlands that is to say the drainage area or catchment region of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

Answer: (c) 3 only; Difficulty Level: Hard