CONVENTIONS AND TREATIES (International convention)
Ramsar Convention
The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty adopted on 2nd February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. The name of the Convention is usually written "Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)", it has come to be known popularly as the "Ramsar Convention". Ramsar is the first of the modern global intergovernmental treaties on conservation and wise use of natural resources, but, compared with more recent ones, its provisions are relatively straightforward and general. Over the years, the Conference of the Contracting Parties (the main decision-making body of the Convention, composed of delegates from all the Member States) has further developed and interpreted the basic tenets of the treaty text and succeeded in keeping the work of the Convention abreast of changing world perceptions, priorities, and trends in environmental thinking.
The official name of the treaty – The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat – reflects its original emphasis on the conservation and wise use of wetlands primarily to provide habitat for waterbirds. Over the years, however, the Convention has broadened its scope to cover all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognizing wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the well-being of human communities. For this reason, the increasingly common use of the short form of the treaty’s title, the "Convention on Wetlands", is entirely appropriate.
The Convention entered into force in 1975 and as of 1 May 2003 has 136 Contracting Parties joined in the convention. More than 1280 wetlands have been designated for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance, covering some 108.7 million hectares (1.87 million km2), more than the surface area of France, Germany, and Switzerland combined.
The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance
The Convention on Wetlands came into force for India on 1 February 1982. India presently has 19 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 648,507 hectares. Recently, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat congratulates the Government of India for designating six new sites during Ramsar COP9 in Uganda, effective from 8 November 2005. The addition of these sites to the Ramsar List brings the total area of Wetlands of International Importance in India to 677,131 hectares in 25 Ramsar Sites.
Under the National Wetland Conservation Programme, 68 sites have been identified for conservation in the country, 41 being recently added to the conservation list including 35 mangroves, 4 coral areas and 10 urban lakes. Identification of these wetland sites is based on Ramsar criteria which include aspects of waterfowl population, dominance of various plant/animal species, biodiversity values, cultural aspects, religious and sacred sanctities, socio-economic aspects, sustainable fisheries, traditional knowledge and other such issues. Furthermore, in the proposed National Wetland Strategy, a great deal of emphasis has been given to the significance of wetlands for water supply, coastal protection, food security and livelihood improvements of the people associated with wetland.
The newly designated sites have very special features in terms of their ecological character, uniqueness, and rich aquatic communities. These are the wetland complexes with freshwater lakes, springs, inland karstique formations in high altitude at two locations of Himachal Pradesh and two in Jammu-Kashmir, a river stretch of the great Ganges, and a sedimentation reservoir in low-lying Tripura. Some of these wetlands also have had high religious and socio-cultural values for thousands of years. Surinsar-Mansar- a composite lake, Renuka wetland, and the Ganges are at the very heart of Hindu sacred values, connected to the epic of Mahabharatta. Therefore, perception of the local communities towards the wise use of these wetlands is likely to be enhanced by the confluence of cultural, religious, ecological and socio-economic importance for sustenance of livelihoods and ecosystems. These are follows;
Recent inclusion
Of these, five areas are marine & coastal wetlands and others are freshwaters
Marine & Coastal wetlands
Detailed description of marine & coastal wetlands
1. ASHTAMUDI ESTUARY
Ramsar Designation date: 19.8.2002
Location: The site is located (08°57'N, 76°35'E) in the town and district of Kollam, Kerala, South India
Area: 61,400 ha.
Altitude: 10m
Ramsar site No.: 1204.
Site description: The Ashtamudi estuary is the second largest backwater system of the Kerala State, with a total extent of 32 sq.km area spread over Karunagappally and Kollam Taluks of Kollam district. It remains connected with the Arabian Sea throughout the year. This estuary is a palm-shaped and has eight prominent arms, adjoining the Kollam town. All the arms converge into a single outlet at Neendakara near Kollam, to enter the Lakshadweep. This estuary is the deepest among all the estuaries of Kerala with a maximum depth of 6.4 m at the confluence zone. The Kallada river which originates from the western Ghats, traverses through virgin forests and finally falls into the Ashtamudi, after traveling a distance of about 120 km. It carries an average runoff of 76,000 million m3 of freshwater into the estuary every year.
Importance: Ashtamudi estuary of extraordinary importance for its hydrological functions, biodiversity, rich fishery resources and an annual production of 23,000 tones of fish. The fishery resources are comprised of migrant stock of both estuarine and marine species of commercially important finfishes, such as Etroplus suratensis (Pearlspot), Arius spp. (Catfish), Mugil spp. (Mullets), Chanos chanos (Milkfish), shrimps (Penaeus indicus, P. monodon and Metapenaeus dobsoni), mud crabs (Scylla serrata), portunid crab (Portunus pelagicus), and the dominant bivalves (Villorita cyprinoids, Katalysia opima, Paphia malabaricus, Meretrix meretrix and M. casta). Apart from these species other bivalves like Anadara granosa, Perna viridis, Modiolus sp., Crassostrea madrasensis and Saccostrea culcullata. The extent of clam bed in the Ashtamudi estuary was estimated at 1200.78 ha. This estuary differs from other estuaries in Kerala by virtue of its unique structure and fishery resources: it is situated perpendicular to the shore and has unusual species like oil sardines (Sardinella longiceps) edible oyster (Crassostrea madrasensis). Gill netting, cast netting, pole and line, hook and line, seine netting, diving and dredging (Chinese net, Hand picking) are the major types of fishing methods used in this estuary. In addition to this, a special type of fishing method, popularly known as Padal fishing or bush park fishing, is also extensively practiced in the Ashtamudi estuary. Even though padal fishing is also practiced in the Vembanad estuary in Kerala. The padal system of the Ashtamudi estuary differs from other estuaries by virtue of its structural differences and operational peculiarities. At present, about 400 padals are being operated on the western side of the estuary and the fishing method is spreading to other parts of the estuary due to its productivity.
It hosts endangered species according to the Red Data Book of Indian Plants, such as Zyzigium travencoricum, and the endemic liane Calmus rotang. The biological diversity is represented by 43 marsh and mangrove species, 57 bird- (6 migrants and 51 residents), 97 fish species and 21, partly unique copepode-species. The site is an important source of food, spawning ground, nursery and migration path on which fish stocks depend.
2. BHITARKANIKA MANGROVE
Designation date: 19.8.2002
Location: The site is located (20°39'N, 86°54'E) in the deltaic region of Brahmani and Baitarani rivers in the Kendrapara district of Orissa state, on the northeastern coast of India along the Bay of Bengal.
Area: 65,000 ha.
Altitude: 4m; average: 2m
Ramsar site No.: 1205.
Site description: The word ‘Bhitarkanika’ is derived from Oriyan language- ‘Bhita’ means inside and ‘kanika’ refers to the kingdom. In those days, the king of kanika used to go often for hunting into the Bhitarkanika forest endowed with animals. The Bhitarkanika Mangrove represents one of the finest remaining patches of mangrove forests along the entire Indian coast; besides these, Sanyal et al. (1999) had reported about 20.0 km2 mangrove areas from the mouth of the river Subarnarekha. The Bhitarkanika mangrove in the Orissa coastal areas in the 3rd important mangrove area in India, i.e., after Sundarbans and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Mangrove areas of the Orissa coast are both dense and sparse, which are estimated through Satellite imagery as 108.5 km2 and 84.4 km2, respectively. The mangroves in Orissa state are distributed in three zones, viz., (i) Mangroves of the Mahanadi Delta, (ii) Mangroves of the Brahmani – Baitarini Delta and (iii) Mangroves of the Balasore coast. There are totally about 70 species of mangroves and associated plant species so far recorded in Bhitarkanika. About 53% of the area is covered by forest and the remaining 47% by the estuarine impoundment. The recent extent of mangrove forest cover estimated by the Forest Survey of India is 219 sq.km.
Importance: Bhitarkanika mangrove was declared as ‘Wildlife Sanctuary’ in 1975 with several endangered species of flora and fauna and also for wide spectrum of ‘Genetic diversity’. This mangrove forest rich in mangrove species diversity than other mangrove system of India. The dense coastal forests provide vital protection for millions of people from devastating cyclones and tidal surges. Gahirmatha beach is said to host the IUCN red-listed, largest known Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) nesting beach in the world, with half a million nesting annually. Several species are threatened viz., Sea turtle: Lepidochelys olivacea, Brakishwater turtle: Batagur baska and the king crabs, i.e., Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda and Tachypleus gigas. Several dolphin species, viz., Platinista gangetica, Neomeris phocaenoides, Sotalia plumba are also reported from the mangrove environment. Furthermore, the mangrove area hosts the vulnerable Grey Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), and the highest density (with nearly 700) of endangered saltwater crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus. Bhitarkanika is a major breeding and wintering place for a multitude of resident and migratory waterbirds. One of the largest Indian heronries counts more than 20,000 nesters. The area regularly supports 30,000 birds with a max. of 50,000 in 1995. The site hosts 174 bird species of which 82 species breed. It is also a wintering habitat for 57 species of waterbirds. It is also out as a nursery for brackish water and estuarine fishes in the eastern side of India.
There are some rare varieties of albino crocodiles also reported from this ecosystem. Monitor lizards (Varanus salvator) and snakes (Hydrophis caerulescens, Bungarus bungaris, Python and king cobras) are also present.
3. CHILKA LAKE
Ramsar Designation date: 1.10.1981
Location: The site is located (19º42'N, 85º21'E) on the eastern coast of India, about 150 km southwest of Cuttack city, in the state of Orissa.
Area: 116,500 ha.
Altitude: 0-2m
Ramsar site No.: 229.
Site description: Chilka is a shallow, largest brackishwater lagoon in India along the east coast. The lake is about 71km long and 3-32km wide, with an area in the dry season (December-June) of 89,100ha and in the rainy season (July-October) 116,500ha. The range in water depth is from 0.9 to 2.6m in the dry season to 1.8-3.7m in the rainy season. The lagoon can be broadly divided into four natural section based on the salinity and depth; the southern zone, central zone, north zone and the outer channel zone. The freshwater input into the lagoon along the northern and western sectors is considerable (3,75,000 cusec) due to the flow of different tributaries of the major rivers of Puri and Ganjam district. This lagoon receives the drainage of few deltaic distributions of a major Indian river on the east called Mahanadi. The surface of the land on the northeast and east of Chilka is low plain. On the northwest bank towards the southeastern end the lagoon has rocky projections. The lake embodies marine, brackishwater and freshwater environments and is the home of endemic and migratory species of birds, fish, prawn and crab, which enrich the fishery resources of the lagoon. Noticeable changes have taken place in the lagoon since mid sixties of 20th century, comprising siltation, bathymetry, tidal ingress, spatio-temporal pattern of salinity, weed coverage etc. These changes become noticeably prominent from mid-seventies of the 20th century. The lake is connected to the Bay of Bengal via a channel through the sand ridge in the north-east.
Importance: The lake suports a major fishery for fin fish, prawns and other crustaceans, with an estimated 6000 mt of fish taken annually. The site is an important area for breeding, wintering and staging for 33 species of waterbirds. It also supports 26 species of benthic algae, 97 species of phytoplankton, 170 species of zooplankton, 117 species of benthic fauna, 77 species of macrophytal invertebrate, 270 species of fishes, including commercially important species, 30 species of prawns, 150 species of migratory and resident birds, 30 species of reptiles, 7 species of amphibians, 18 species of mammals. Significant numbers of people are dependent upon the lake's resources. Placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 due to problems caused by siltation and sedimentation which was choking the mouth of the lake; removed from the Record in 2002 following rehabilitation efforts for which the Chilka Development Authority received the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award for 2002. Subject of a Ramsar Advisory Mission, 2001. The enormous potential of the lake for scientific research, outdoor recreation, and tourism, and the State Government is developing the area as a tourist attraction.
The total number of boats operated in the Chilka lake are around 5,378 of which 253 are mechanised. These mechanised country crafts are mostly big sized crafts, which are mostly used for inland water transport sometimes used for fishing. The gears and craft employed in the lagoon are systematically designed in traditional way. High fish demand, burgeoning fishing populations combined with a lack of livelihood opportunities in fishermen community, advances in fishing technology and accelerated industrial fisheries development had led to excessive fishing pressure on the lagoon.
4. POINT CALIMERE WILDLIFE AND BIRD SANCTUARY
Ramsar Designation date: 19.08.2002
Location: It is located (10°19'N, 79°38'E) 52 km south of the Nagappatinam town, Tamilnadu state.
Area: 38,500 ha.
Altitude: 0-6m
Ramsar site No.: 1210
Site description: The great Vedaranayam Salt Swamp stretches 50 km westward from the promontory of Point Calimere, and is bounded to the south and east by the Palk Strait. The Tamil name of the place is “Kodiakkarai”. The ancient name for the present Point Calimere was “Thirumarai or Vedaranyam Kadu”. Thus, it could be safely guessed that this forest once extended till Vedaranyam. But now the forest starts from the village ‘Agasthiyam Palli’ as one nears the place traveling down by road, the thick Excoecaria agallocha dominant in the forest cover. A vast area of barren land in the area is utilized for the extraction of salt.
The sea is shallow, especially along the eastern shore, for a distance of at least 60 m offshore. The eastern shoreline, generally sandy and flat, is referred to as “wave washed common land”. The western boundary of the swamp consists of a degraded mangrove forest. The swamp itself is a vast area of open mudflats and lagoons lying behind a long sand bar which breached at various places by tidal channels. Five freshwater channels from the Cauvery river irrigation system to the north empty in to the swamp, the northern boundary of which is delineated by a man-made dyke. During the northeast monsoon, the salinity decreases substantially to give an overall freshwater regime. By the end of January, most areas are saline again. The Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, the east of the swamp, is a slightly higher undulating region of sandy, loamy soils, with patches of scrub jungle on the ridges and seasonal pools in the intervening depressions. This coastal, evergreen, scrub forest separates the swamp from the eastern seaboard. Commercial salt pans have been created along the northern edge of the swamp.
Importance: The swamp suports a major commercial fishery and also nursery for many marine fishes. It is an important spawning ground for shrimps (Penaeus indicus, P. monodon), crabs (Scylla serrata) and fishes.The site supports the IUCN red-listed birds Pelecanus philippensis, Phoenicopterus minor, Limnodromus semipalmatus, and Eurynorhynchus pygmaeus, the mammal Antilope cervicapra and the reptiles Chelonia mydas, Lepidochelys olivacea, Eretmochelys imbricata. This ecosystem regularly supports about 30,000 flamingos and tens of thousands of other waterbirds and also supports over 1% of the individuals in the south Asia population of Pelecanus philippensis (200-300 individuals).
5. VEMBANAD-KOL WETLAND
Ramsar Designation date: 19.08.2002
Location: The site is located (09°50'N, 76°45'E) in the Alappuzha, Ernakulam of Thrissur districts, Kerala state, on the southwestern coast of India.
Area: 151,250 ha.
Altitude: 1m- 2m
Ramsar site No.: 1214
Site description: The Vembanad-Kol is the second largest brackishwater, humid tropical ecosystem in the Southwest coast of India. It has a length of 60 km north to south from Cochin to Alleppey. The construction of the Thanneermukkom barrier in the year 1976 has resulted this lake into two entirely different ecosystems, retaining estuarine conditions in the northern sector or the downstream region (Cochin to Thanneermukkom = Cochin backwaters) and transforming the southern sector or the upstream region (Thanneermukkom to Alleppey) into a freshwater habitat. Periyar and Muvattupuzha are the major rivers which open to this lake. A bund constructed at Thannermukkom near Vaikom prevents the incursion of seawater into the agricultural fields in Kuttanad. This also controls the flow of four rivers Pamba, Achankovil, Manimala and Meenachi into the lake. The lake open in to the Arabian Sea through two permanent openings, one at Cochin and the other at Azikode. One of the important features of this state is that majority of the 41 rivers in the state drain into the estuaries before they empty into the sea through perennial of temporary opening.
Importance: There are about 30 estuaries in the state. Among the estuaries, the Vembanad lake is the major estuarine system which harbours a rich resource of clams forming the livelihood of 5,000 fisher families. It is renowned for its live clam resources and Sub- Fossil deposits. The black clam (Villorita cyprinoids) is the main resource contributes to about 67% of the clam fishery, followed by Meretrix casta, Paphia malabarica and Sunetta scripta. Annually about 31,650 tonnes of clams are fished from this lake of which 31,430 tonnes is contributed by the black clam. Its meat is locally consumed and is also used as an animal protein feed supplement in various feeds, while the shell is largely used in lime-based industries.
Vembanad lake and other backwaters of Kerala with an area of 50,000 ha. produce 14,000-17,000mt of fish. The lake supports the IUCN red-listed birds Pe!ecanus philippensis and Anhinga melanogaster and supports over 20,000 waterbirds. This wetland helps the third largest populations of residential and migratory waterbirds in India during the winter for their feeding and breeding. Many fishes depend on the wetland for food, spawning and nursery. Most significant values include flood occlusion, fishery, lime shellfishery, rice production, pollution abatement, inland navigation, port facility (Cochin Port) and backwater tourism.