Question 1

Accepted Answer

Iran, 1971. The Ramsar Convention was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, a city in Iran on the shores of the Caspian Sea. It is named after this Iranian city where the treaty was adopted. The convention entered into force on December 21, 1975. It is the only global treaty focusing specifically on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Question 2

Accepted Answer

Chilika Lake, Odisha. Chilika Lake in Odisha was the first Indian site to be designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 1981. It is also Asia's largest brackish water lagoon covering approximately 1,100 sq km. Chilika is famous for migratory birds and the Irrawaddy dolphins. Keoladeo Ghana was designated along with Chilika in the same year 1981.

Question 3

Accepted Answer

75. India has 75 Ramsar Wetland Sites as of 2023, making it one of the countries with the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia. The number increased significantly from 42 in 2020 to 75 by 2023. These sites cover a total area of over 13 lakh hectares. India added 19 new sites in a single announcement in 2022 to commemorate 75 years of independence.

Question 4

Accepted Answer

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. The full official name of the Ramsar Convention is the 'Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat.' It was originally focused on waterfowl habitat but has since expanded to cover all aspects of wetland conservation. The convention is commonly known simply as the Ramsar Convention after its city of adoption. It is one of the oldest inter-governmental environmental agreements in the world.

Question 5

Accepted Answer

Loktak Lake. Loktak Lake in Manipur is famous for its floating islands called 'phumdis,' which are heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter. It was designated as a Ramsar Wetland in 1990. Loktak is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. It is home to the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world's only floating national park, which protects the endangered Sangai deer.

Ramsar Wetland Sites — Set 1