If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?

1. Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.
2. The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetland
3. The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed
4. It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Ramsar Sites potentially at risk because of technological developments, pollution or other human interference may be placed on the Montreux Record of Ramsar Sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur.
• Currently, Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan and Loktak Lake in Manipur are the two Indian sites included in the Montreux Record. Chilika Lake was also added to this list in 1993 due to siltation issues but was later removed after the Government of India successfully addressed the problem.

Answer: (a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference; Difficulty Level: Easy