Q. With reference to Ramsar sites and wetlands, consider the following statements:
1.Indian government’s definition of wetland does not include river channels & paddy fields.
2.Every Ramsar Site is a notified protected area under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
- Statement 1 is correct: The Indian government’s definition of wetland excludes river channels, paddy fields and other areas where commercial activity takes place. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change define wetlands as “area of marsh, fen, peatland 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, but does not include river channels, paddy fields, human-made water bodies/ tanks specifically constructed for drinking water purposes and structures specifically constructed for aquaculture, salt production, recreation and irrigation purposes.”
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Not every Ramsar Site is a notified protected area under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
