UPSC Prelims 2019 Q40: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits

UPSC Prelims 2019, General Studies Paper I · Environment & Ecology

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?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 3 only

Explanation

Ramsar Convention & Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010

Statement	Claim	Verdict	Detail
1	Ramsar mandates India to protect ALL wetlands	FALSE	Ramsar obliges parties to protect listed Ramsar sites and promote 'wise use' of wetlands generally - but does not mandate blanket protection of all wetlands in the country.
2	2010 Rules based on Ramsar recommendations	FALSE	Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 - a domestic law. They align with Ramsar spirit but are not enacted as a Ramsar mandate.
3	2010 Rules encompass drainage/catchment regions	TRUE	The Rules define a wetland and include the catchment (drainage basin/zone of influence) as determined by the regulatory authority - protecting the hydrological context, not just the water body.

Only statement 3 is correct. Answer: (c) 3 only.

Answer: (c) 3 only.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Incorrect. Statement 1 (Ramsar mandate to protect ALL wetlands) is wrong.
(b) Incorrect. Statement 2 (rules based on Ramsar) is wrong - rules are under EPA 1986.
(c) CORRECT. Only statement 3 is correct - the 2010 Rules do encompass the catchment/drainage region as part of the wetland's protective ambit.
(d) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 2 are wrong.

Key point

Ramsar = 'wise use' + protect listed sites (not blanket protection of all wetlands). Wetlands Rules 2010 = under EPA 1986 (domestic law), include drainage/catchment area.

Remember

Only statement 3 is correct. Ramsar Convention does NOT mandate protection of ALL wetlands (it focuses on 'wise use' and listed sites), and the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 were framed under India's Environment (Protection) Act 1986 (not directly on Ramsar recommendations). But the Rules DO encompass the drainage/catchment area as part of the wetland regulatory ambit.

Common mistakes

Assuming Ramsar mandates comprehensive protection of every wetland - it mandates protection of listed sites and promotes wise use of all.
Confusing Wetlands Rules 2010 with Wetlands Rules 2017 (which superseded 2010 and are the current framework).
Missing that the catchment approach is what makes wetland conservation ecologically meaningful.

Exam tip

Wetland framework in India: (i) Ramsar Convention (1971) - India ratified 1982; 75+ Ramsar sites in India (as of recent updates). (ii) Wetlands Rules 2010 -> 2017. (iii) National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP). (iv) National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA).

Sources

Ministry of Environment - Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 and 2017
Ramsar Convention Secretariat - India country page

← Q39All UPSC Prelims 2019 questionsQ41 →

Practise UPSC Prelims PYQs Take a timed mock