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?
Explanation
According to the Official UPSC Answer Key (Series A), the correct answer is Option C (3 only).
– Statement 1 is incorrect: The Ramsar Convention does not make it legally mandatory for contracting governments to conserve every single wetland within their territory; parties commit to designate specific eligible sites to the Ramsar List of International Importance and formulate national policies promoting the wise use of wetlands generally.
– Statement 2 is incorrect (as per UPSC): The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed under the overarching statutory provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 through domestic administrative processes, rather than directly resulting from specific treaty recommendations of the Ramsar Convention.
– Statement 3 is correct: Under Rule 2(1)(g) of the Wetlands Rules, 2010, the definition of a wetland specifically includes the zone of direct influence, encompassing the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
Therefore, only statement 3 is correct — Option C.