RAMSAR CONVENTION

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) was signed in Iran in 1971; it came into force in 1975.

The Ramsar Convention represents the first attempt to establish a legal instrument providing comprehensive protection for a particular type of ecosystem.

The Convention provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands for the benefit of humankind. As appears from its original name, the Convention's original emphasis was on the conservation and wise use of wetlands in their capacity as habitat for waterfowl. Over the years, 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 and for the good of human communities.

UNESCO serves as Depositary for the Convention. Its administration is undertaken by the Ramsar Bureau; its Secretariat is housed in the headquarters of IUCN - The World Conservation Union. The Convention has also established a Wise Use Resource Centre: an evolving section of the Ramsar website designed to provide advice, assistance, and guidance to wetland managers. The Resource Centre includes a Wetland Experts Use Resource Library and a Catalogue of Training Opportunities.

The first obligation under the Convention is to designate at least one wetland for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the ‘Ramsar List’) and to promote its conservation, and, where appropriate, its wise use. Selection for the Ramsar List must be based on the wetland’s significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology, or hydrology. The Ramsar Parties have adopted specific criteria and guidelines for identifying sites that qualify for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance.

The international principle of state sovereignty over natural resources is upheld as the Convention provides that the listing of wetlands does not deprive a party of its exclusive sovereignty over them.

The Ramsar Parties agree to implement their planning so as to promote conservation of the wetlands included in the List and, as far as possible, the wise use of all wetlands within their territories. The wise use of wetlands is described as “their sustainable utilization for the benefit of mankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem.”

Article 5 of the Ramsar Convention establishes the Parties’ obligation to consult with one another with regard to implementing the Convention in the case of wetlands or water systems extending over the territories of more than one Party. Parties must also endeavour to coordinate and support present and future policies and regulations concerning the conservation of wetlands and their flora and fauna.


Online resources:

www.ramsar.org/index_about_ramsar.htm
Comprehensive information on the Ramsar Convention.

www.wetlands.org
Contains a database of Ramsar wetlands sites.



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