Ramsar Convention

1. PRESENTATION
On
Ramsar Convention
course : Environmental Laws and
Regulations (ESDM 4101)
GROUP-04
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND DISASTER
MANAGEMENT, NSTU
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2. Formed By:
Name: Sujit Kumar Roy
Dept. Of Environmental Science
And Disaster Management.
Noakhali Science And Technology
University
ID : ASH1309037M
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3. RAMSER CONCERVATION: INTRODUCTION
 The Ramsar conservation an international treaty for the
conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
 It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is
named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the
Convention was signed in 1971.
Ramser Convension 3

4. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:
Ramser Convension 4

5. Objective interpretation
Ramsar Convention has two fold objectives viz.
 Conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands;
Stop the encroachment and loss of wetlands.
Ramser Convension 5

6. International organization partners:
The Ramsar Convention works closely with six
organizations. These are:
• Birdlife International
• International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN)
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
• Wetlands International
• WWF International
• Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)
Ramser Convension 6

7. OTHER PARTNERS:
Biodiversity-related conventions including the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD), Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),
the World Heritage Convention (WHC).
Project funding bodies including global environmental funds,
multilateral development banks and bilateral donors.
UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO and the UN Economic Commission for
Europe, and specific programmers such as UNESCO’s Man and the
Biosphere (MAB) programme.
Ramser Convension 7

8. Key features of the Ramsar
Convention
• recognises wetlands (goods and services) as vital for human
wellbeing (food and water security) and poverty alleviation
• supports practical wetland sustainable utilization by countries
• open, collaborative and flexible mechanisms
both ecosystems and species
both sites and broad-based sustainable use
• supports implementation
• provides practical guidance on many topics
Ramser Convension 8

9. What is wetland??
Under the text of the Convention(Article 1.1),
wetlands are defined as:
• “Areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether
natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with
water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt,
including areas of marine water the depth of which
at low tide does not exceed six meters”
Ramser Convension 9

10. So….Ramsar covers
Natural and human-made wetlands
inland/freshwater:
marshes, rivers, lakes, reservoirs etc.
coastal/marine
lagoons, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds
etc.
above ground and underground
karst and caves
but not deep oceans
Ramser Convension 10

11. Five major wetland types are
generally recognized:
• Marine (coastal wetlands including coastal lagoons,
rocky shores, and coral reefs);
•Estuarine (including deltas, tidal marshes, and
mangrove swamps);
•Lacustrine (wetlands associated with lakes);
•Riverine (wetlands along rivers and streams); and
•Palustrine (meaning “marshy” – marshes, swamps and
bogs).
Ramser Convension 11

12. What is the Ramsar Convention
on Wetlands?
• Oldest of the global environmental conventions
• the only global convention focussing attention on an
ecosystem (wetlands)
• covers very wide range of wetlands - from ocean to
mountains
• Celebrated annually on World Wetlands Day - 2 February
– 30th anniversary 2001
Ramser Convension 12

13. The main causes of the degradation
and loss of wetlands are:
––Major changes in land use, especially
• increased agriculture and grazing
––Water diversion through dams,
• canalization
––Infrastructure development,
• particularly in urban areas, river valleys and coastal
areas.
Ramser Convension 13

14. Why wetland is important:
Storage of fresh water
Economic and domestic purpose
 Sustainable use of fresh water
Maximum utilization of ground water
Conserve water
Betterment of future
Wetlands create sustainable products and livelihoods
Recent estimates show that 64 % or more of the
world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900.
Ramser Convension 14

15. The “Ramsar process and bodies”
Contracting Parties (countries)
Meetings of Contracting Parties (COPs)
 main decision-making meetings
Standing Committee
intersessional governance body
Scientific & Technical Review Panel
prepares advice and guidance on technical topics
Ramsar Bureau
the Convention’s Secretariat, based in Switzerland
19 policy, technical and administrative staff
Ramser Convension 15

16. Why do nations join the Ramsar
Convention?
•presents an opportunity for a country to make its
voice heard in the principal intergovernmental forum .
•brings increased publicity and prestige for the
wetlands.
•brings access to the latest information and advice on
adoption of the convention’s internationally-accepted
standards.
Ramser Convension 16

17. The Ramsar Strategic Plan: three
pillars action
1st
• working towards the wise use of their wetlands through a wide range of
actions
2nd
• further identification, designation and management of a comprehensive
suite of sites for the List of Wetlands of International Importance
3rd
• cooperating internationally in the delivery of wetland conservation
Ramser Convension 17

18. Ramsar sites in Bangladesh:
The Convention on Wetlands came into force for
Bangladesh on 21 September 1992. Bangladesh presently
has 2 sites designated as Wetlands of International
Importance, with a surface area of 611,200 hectares.
1. Tanguar Haor
2. The Sundarbans Reserved Forest
Ramser Convension 18

19. Tanguar Haor:
Tanguar Haor provides habitat for at least 135 fish and 208
bird species, including 92 water bird species and 98 migratory
bird species.
In 2000, the hoar basin was declared a Ramsar site - wetland
of international importance.
Threats include over-exploited fishery stocks and
uncontrolled taking of waterfowl.
About 30-40,000 migratory waterfowl converge on the area
,and rare species such as Pallas's Fish are relatively common
and breed in the area.
Ramser Convension 19

20. THE SUNDARBANS RESERVED FOREST:
The Sundarbans is a vast forest in the coastal region of the Bay of
Bengal which is one of the natural wonders of the world. Located in the
delta region of Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins.
In 1997, Sundarban was recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On 21 May 1992, Sundarban was recognized as a Ramsar Site.
The site is a hotspot of rich flora and fauna, home to a number of
unique and endangered species of plants, animals like endangered
Royal Bengal Tiger , Pallas Fishing, and critically endangered River
Terrapin ,crocodile ,and Ganges river dolphin, all listed in the IUCN Red
Book.
Three wildlife sanctuaries act as good nurseries and potential breeding
ground for shrimps, prawns and many edible fishes.
Ramser Convension 20

21. Ramsar Convention -Guidelines for
COP8 (2002)
Scientific & Technical Review Panel (STRP)
additional guidance on wetlands and:
Inventory
 Impact assessment
 Ecological character &
assessment methods
 Integrated Coastal Zone
Management
 Ramsar site designation
 Management
 Water allocations and
management
 Climate change
 Restoration
Ramser Convension 21

22. Conclusion
Ramsar convention is the first convention which
introduce water protection and conservation.
It laid the basic work for future environmental
policy and increase environmental scientists work
as well as base line to establish environmental
science.
Based on Ramsar Convention all should protect
our wetland for ourself.
Ramser Convension 22

23. Thanks for
patience
Ramser Convension 23