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UPSC Prelims 2019 · Environment · Rules for the Planet
Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 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.
- The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
- The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) 3 only
Only the catchment coverage is right.
Statement by statement
1. ✗ WRONG Ramsar obliges countries to protect listed sites and use all wetlands wisely — not to protect every wetland.
2. ✗ WRONG The 2010 Rules were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, not on Ramsar’s recommendation.
3. ✓ CORRECT The 2010 Rules covered wetlands and their drainage or catchment areas as notified by the authority.
The idea
Ramsar asks a country for two things: maintain the ecological character of the wetlands it has listed, and make “wise use” of the rest. It does not tell a country what law to pass. India’s wetland rules were made on its own, under the Environment (Protection) Act.
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 → Wetlands Rules, 2010: one central authority → Wetlands Rules, 2017: power moves to the States → State Wetland Authority in each State → It lists wetlands and the activities banned in them
The trap
Statements 1 and 2 sound like how treaties work. Ramsar is not that strict, and India made the rules under its own law.
Elimination technique
Statement 1 says it is mandatory to protect “all the wetlands”. Absolute words usually mark the false statement in Environment PYQs. That removes (a) and (d).
Also know
The 2017 Rules ban conversion of a wetland to other uses, new industries, and dumping of solid waste and untreated sewage. They do not cover river channels, paddy fields, or man-made water bodies built for drinking water, irrigation, aquaculture or salt. The State authority is headed by the State’s environment minister.
🔒 Wetland Rules 2010 → replaced by 2017 Rules (State Wetland Authorities). Ramsar = wise use.