Ramsar Convention and Wetland Protection

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty to protect wetlands and to use them wisely. It was signed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar in Iran, which is how it got its name. Its full name is the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. It is the oldest of the modern global treaties on the environment, and the only one that deals with one particular type of ecosystem: wetlands.

What is a wetland?

A wetland is land that is covered with water, or soaked with water, for all or part of the year. Lakes, marshes, swamps, river floodplains, mangroves, lagoons, peatlands, rice-field-like shallow ponds and even coral reefs can count. The Convention (Article 1.1) uses a very wide definition. It includes areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is still or flowing, and fresh, brackish (a mix of fresh and salt) or salt. It also includes areas of sea water whose depth at low tide does not go beyond six metres.

Why do wetlands need a treaty?

Wetlands are often called the "kidneys of the landscape" because they filter dirty water and trap pollutants. They also work like a sponge: they soak up flood water in the rainy season and release it slowly in the dry season. They recharge groundwater, store huge amounts of carbon (especially peatlands and mangroves), protect coasts from storms, and support fish, rice farming and millions of birds.

Yet people have long seen them as "wasteland" to be drained, filled and built upon. Many waterbirds also fly across many countries each year, so one country alone cannot protect them. This is why a treaty between countries was needed.

Where did it come from?

In the 1960s, scientists and bird-watchers in Europe became worried about the fast loss of wetlands and the decline of migratory waterbirds. After years of talks, the treaty was signed on 2 February 1971 at Ramsar. It came into force in December 1975. That is why 2 February is celebrated every year as World Wetlands Day.

The UN General Assembly also recognised this day as an official UN international day in 2021. Over time the treaty moved from a narrow focus on waterbirds to the protection of all wetlands and their wise use.

The three pillars of the Convention

Every country that joins (called a Contracting Party) promises to:

1. Wise use of all wetlands: use all wetlands in its territory in a sustainable way, so that their natural character is kept. This applies to every wetland, not just the famous ones.
2. Designate Ramsar Sites: name suitable wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the "Ramsar List") and manage them well. Every country must name at least one site when it joins.
3. International cooperation: work with other countries on shared wetlands, shared river basins and shared species such as migratory birds.

How does a wetland become a Ramsar Site?

The country itself chooses the wetland and sends it to the Ramsar Secretariat with a description and map. The wetland must meet at least one of nine criteria. Some examples:

• It is a rare or unique example of a wetland type in that region.
• It supports threatened species or ecological communities.
• Criterion 5: It regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
• Criterion 6: It regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.
• Some criteria are about fish, for example a wetland that is an important food source or breeding ground for fish.

What is the Montreux Record?

It is a list of Ramsar Sites where the ecological character has changed, is changing or is likely to change because of human activity. It was set up in 1990 at the Ramsar meeting held in Montreux, Switzerland. A site is put on it with the agreement of the country concerned. Think of it as a "red flag" list that brings extra attention and help.

India has two sites on it today: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur). Chilika Lake (Odisha) was put on it earlier but was removed in 2002 after a new mouth was opened to the sea, which brought back its health. Chilika was the first site in Asia to be removed from the Montreux Record.

How is the Convention run?

• Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP): the main decision-making meeting, held every three years or so. COP15 was held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, in July 2025. COP16 is planned for Panama in 2028.
• Secretariat: based in Gland, Switzerland.
• Members: about 172 Contracting Parties.
• The Ramsar Convention is not part of the UN system of environmental treaties, though it works closely with UN bodies. UNESCO acts as its depositary (it keeps the official treaty record).
• It also runs the Wetland City Accreditation scheme for cities that protect their wetlands. Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) became India's first accredited Wetland Cities in 2025.

India's position and Indian examples

• India became a party on 1 February 1982. Its first two Ramsar Sites were Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), both designated in 1981.
• As of October 2026, India has 103 Ramsar Sites covering more than 13.87 lakh hectares, the highest number in Asia. Tamil Nadu has the most sites of any state. The largest site is the Sundarbans Wetland in West Bengal.
• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, are India's main legal tool. They replaced the 2010 rules. Each state has a State Wetland Authority that identifies and notifies wetlands. In notified wetlands, activities such as converting the wetland to other uses, encroachment, setting up industries, dumping solid waste and releasing untreated sewage are banned.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA): a centrally sponsored scheme that funds the conservation of lakes and wetlands.
• Amrit Dharohar: a scheme announced in the 2023-24 Budget and launched on 5 June 2023 to promote the wise use of Ramsar Sites through local community participation, eco-tourism and livelihoods.

Commonly confused concepts

• Ramsar Site vs protected area: A Ramsar Site is an international recognition. It does not by itself give legal protection in India. Legal protection comes from Indian laws, such as the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (if it is a sanctuary or national park) or the Wetlands Rules, 2017.
• Ramsar Site vs UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ramsar is about wetlands only and the country names the site on its own. World Heritage sites are chosen by the World Heritage Committee for "Outstanding Universal Value" under the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Keoladeo National Park is both.
• Montreux Record vs "List of World Heritage in Danger": The Montreux Record is under Ramsar, for wetlands. The Danger List is under the World Heritage Convention.
• Ramsar Convention vs CMS (Bonn Convention, 1979): CMS protects migratory species of all kinds. Ramsar protects wetlands as habitats.
• World Wetlands Day (2 February) vs World Water Day (22 March) vs World Environment Day (5 June).

Issues, criticism and the way forward

• Fast loss: According to the 2026 UN restoration report, about 384 million hectares of freshwater ecosystems have been lost since 1970, and wetlands are vanishing three times faster than forests. A 2024 survey of over 400 wetlands in 80 countries found 63% in poor or fair condition.
• Paper protection: Critics say many countries, including India, add new Ramsar Sites quickly, but management plans, funds and monitoring often lag behind. A "label" alone does not stop encroachment or sewage.
• Weak legal teeth: The Convention has no penalties. India's 2017 Rules leave much to states, and many wetlands are still not notified, so they lack protection.
• Threats in India: urban encroachment, sewage and industrial waste, invasive weeds such as water hyacinth, sand mining and changes in water flow from dams.
• Way forward: map and notify all wetlands, make management plans for each Ramsar Site, involve local communities who depend on wetlands, give wetlands their share of water, and include them in city planning.

Concepts to Know

• Migratory waterbirds: Birds such as ducks, geese, cranes and flamingos that live around water and fly long distances between their summer and winter homes, often crossing many countries.
• Peatland: A wetland where dead plants pile up in waterlogged soil without fully rotting. The layers store very large amounts of carbon.
• Brackish water: Water that is saltier than river water but less salty than the sea, as in lagoons such as Chilika.
• Depositary: The body that keeps the original copy of a treaty and records which countries have joined it.
• Encroachment: Illegally taking over and building on or farming public land, such as the edges of a lake.
• Eco-tourism: Nature-based tourism that is planned so it does not harm the environment and benefits local people.