Part 7 – Organisations For Wetland Conservation -Ramsar Convention, Wetland International

1.Ramsar Convention For Wetlands 

• The Convention on Wetlands is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
• The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.

Fact :

• World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997 .
• February 2 is celebrated as World Wetlands Day

Fig : Ramsar Logo : Source – Ramsar 

Definition Of wetland According to Ramsar Convention 

1.  Wetland  includes
2. All lakes and rivers
3. underground aquifers
4. swamps and marshes
5. wet grasslands
6. peatlands
7. oases
8. estuaries
9. deltas and tidal flats
10. mangroves and other coastal areas
11. coral reefs
12. fish ponds
13. rice paddies
14. reservoirs
15. salt pans.

Mission Of Ramsar Convention 

The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development

Contracting  Parties For Implementation 

• The Contracting Parties implement the Convention on Wetlands in their territories and collaborate on shared projects.
•  The government agency responsible for its national application is known as the country’s Administrative Authority.
• This agency appoints a National Focal Point to coordinate national implementation and act as the daily contact point.

Strategic Plan 

The Convention’s Strategic Plan 2016-2024 acknowledges the importance of partnerships in enhancing the implementation of the Convention.

Fact :

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides administrative services to the Convention on Wetlands. The Convention Secretariat follows IUCN procedures and policies as applicable.

2.Wetland International

• They are a global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands.
• The vision of this Organization is a world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for their beauty, the life they support and the resources they provide.
• Initially  wetland International were known as the International Wildfowl Inquiry.
• In 1954, the name became International Waterfowl & Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB).
• In 1996 Name was changed to Wetlands International  and established its headquarters in the Netherlands .
• They work with local communities to protect and preserve the wetland regions.