UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2019

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

Answer

Correct Answer

3 only

Explanation

The Ramsar Convention obliges parties to promote the wise use of wetlands and to conserve listed Ramsar sites - not all wetlands. The 2010 Rules were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not as a direct implementation of Ramsar recommendations. The Rules' definition of wetland does include the zone of direct influence, i.e., drainage area or catchment region as determined by the authority, so only statement 3 is correct.

Topics: conservation laws and conventions, environment and ecology, ramsar convention and wetland rules 2010, wetlands