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?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c)        

Explanation:

• The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, is among the earliest international treaties aimed at protecting wetlands and their ecological value.
• Article 4 of the convention mandates contracting parties to create nature reserves on wetlands to conserve waterfowl, whether listed under the agreement or not.
• However, it is not mandatory for the Government of India to protect and conserve all wetlands in the country.
• The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, were established by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to promote better conservation and management of existing wetlands in India.
• However, it was not framed on the basis of recommendation of Ramsar Covention. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.