- Definition: Ramsar Sites are wetlands identified under the Ramsar Convention due to their significant ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological importance.
- Purpose: The main objective is to ensure the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation.
- Criteria
- Representative, Rare, or Unique Wetlands: Sites containing unique or rare wetland types.
- Biodiversity Support: Sites supporting vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or ecological communities.
- Species Population: Sites supporting significant numbers of individuals of one or more species, particularly during breeding, migration, or overwintering periods.
- Waterbird Support: Sites regularly supporting 20,000 or more waterbirds.
- Fish Support: Sites regularly supporting significant fish populations or species important for maintaining biological diversity.
- Productivity: Sites significant for maintaining the biological productivity of ecosystems.
- Importance
- Biodiversity Conservation: Ramsar Sites protect habitats for a wide range of flora and fauna, including many endangered species.
- Water Management: They play a crucial role in water purification, flood control, groundwater recharge, and shoreline stabilization.
- Climate Regulation: Wetlands act as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate climate change.
- Cultural and Economic Value: Many Ramsar Sites have cultural, historical, and recreational significance, contributing to local economies through tourism and traditional practices.
- Example
- Keoladeo National Park (India): A man-made wetland and one of the most important bird breeding and feeding grounds in the world.
- Sundarbans Reserved Forest (India and Bangladesh): The world’s largest mangrove forest, home to the Bengal tiger and numerous other species.