India is a party to the Ramsar Convention and has declared many areas as Ramsar Sites. Which of the following statements best describes as to how we should maintain these sites in the context of this Convention?

1. Keep all the sites completely inaccessible to man so that they will not be exploited
2. Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and permit tourism and recreation only
3. Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach for a period without any exploitation, with specific criteria and specific period for each site, and then allow sustainable use of them by future generations
4. Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and allow their simultaneous sustainable use

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands promotes the concept of wise use of wetlands. Wise use refers to the maintenance of wetlands through ecosystem-based approaches while allowing sustainable utilisation for the benefit of present and future generations. The Convention does not advocate complete isolation of wetlands from human use, nor does it permit unrestricted exploitation. Instead, it emphasises conservation integrated with sustainable use, including regulated tourism, livelihoods and ecological services.

Answer: (d) Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and allow their simultaneous sustainable use