Environmental law notes: Ramsar convention.pptx

These are the important notes of the environmental law Ramsar convention.

1. Ramsar convention The  Ramsar Convention  is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar  in Iran, where the  Convention  was signed in 1971. The  Convention  was adopted in the Iranian city of  Ramsar  in 1971 and came into force in 1975. There are over 169 parties to the convention .

2. Mission “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”

3. Objectives The wise use of all wetlands through national plans, policies and legislation, management actions and public education; The designation and sustainable management of suitable wetlands for inclusion on the list of Wetlands of International Importance; and International cooperation on transboundary wetlands and shared species.

4. Definition(Article 1) The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.

5. Status More than 2,220 wetlands around the world, covering over 214 million hectares( 215,302,007 ha) , have been designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance Nepal ( Over 65, 000 ha) Beeshazari and Associated LakesChitwan , Rara LakeMugu Phoksundo Lake Dolpa Gosaikunda and Associated LakesRasuwa Nine Lake cluster In Pokhara . Mai Pokhari Ilam Koshi Tappu JagadishPura , Rupandehai GhodaGhodi Lake Gokyo and associated lakes

6. Challenges Inland and coastal wetland ecosystems were (in 2005) being lost at a rate faster than that of any other ecosystem, and the trend towards loss of wetlands resources has not been reversed since Primary indirect drivers of this degradation and loss are identified as population growth and change in economic activity The primary direct drivers of degradation and loss are identified as infrastructure development, Land conversion, water use, Eutrophication and pollution, overharvesting, overexploitation of wetland resources, Climate change and invasive alien species

7. What to do? Preventing, stopping and reversing the loss and degradation of wetlands Science-based advice and guidance: Climate change and wetlands: Information about ecosystem functions and the ecosystem services they provide to people and nature Communicating ecosystem functions and the ecosystem services they provide to people and nature Enhancing cooperation Identifying and designating wetlands as Ramsar Sites and transboundary Ramsar Sites Wise use of wetlands Invasive alien species Strengthen and support the full and effective participation

8. Silant feature Entered into force 21 December 1975 Amended in1982 and 1987 Total 12 Articles Deleaniation by each party Formulate and implement plan Promoting conservation of wetland dependent bioresources . Cooperation COP IUCN to act as Bureau

9. International water law Principles equitable and reasonable utilisation , obligation not to cause significant harm, principles of cooperation, information exchange, notification, consultation and peaceful settlement of disputes are widely acknowledged by modern international conventions, agreements and treaties

10. Sources of International Water Law INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS 1.1 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS OF UNIVERSAL APPLICATION 1.1.1 General Treaty - Vienna, 9 June 1815 1.1.2 Convention and Statute on the Regime of Navigable Waterways of International Concern - Barcelona, 20 April 1921 1.1.2.1 The Convention 1.1.2.2 The Statute 1.1.2.3 Additional Protocol 1.1.2.4 Declaration recognising the Right to a Flag of States having no Sea-coast 1.1.3 Convention relating to the Development of Hydraulic Power affecting more than one State and Protocol of Signature - Geneva, 9 December 1923 1.1.3.1 The Convention 1.1.3.2 Protocol of Signature 1.1.4 Convention to Combat Desertification - Paris, 17 June 1994 1.1.5 Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses - New York, 21 May 1997 1.2 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS OF REGIONAL APPLICATION 1.2.1 Africa 1.2.1.1 African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources - Algiers, 15 September 1968 1.2.2 Americas 1.2.2.1 Organization of American States: Draft Convention on the Industrial and Agricultural Use of International Rivers and Lakes - Rio de Janeiro, 1 September 1965 1.2.2.2 Act of Asunción on the Use of International Rivers - 3 June 1971 1.2.3 Europe 1.2.3.1 Council of Europe: Draft European Convention for the Protection of International Watercourses against Pollution - Strasbourg, February 1974 1.2.3.2 Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context - Espoo, 25 February 1991 1.2.3.3 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes - 18 March 1992

11. 1.2 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS OF REGIONAL APPLICATION 1.2.1 Africa 1.2.1.1 African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources - Algiers, 15 September 1968 1.2.2 Americas 1.2.2.1 Organization of American States: Draft Convention on the Industrial and Agricultural Use of International Rivers and Lakes - Rio de Janeiro, 1 September 1965 1.2.2.2 Act of Asunción on the Use of International Rivers - 3 June 1971 1.2.3 Europe 1.2.3.1 Council of Europe: Draft European Convention for the Protection of International Watercourses against Pollution - Strasbourg, February 1974 1.2.3.2 Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context - Espoo, 25 February 1991 1.2.3.3 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes - 18 March 1992

12. 1.2 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS OF REGIONAL APPLICATION 1.2.1 Africa 1.2.1.1 African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources - Algiers, 15 September 1968 1.2.2 Americas 1.2.2.1 Organization of American States: Draft Convention on the Industrial and Agricultural Use of International Rivers and Lakes - Rio de Janeiro, 1 September 1965 1.2.2.2 Act of Asunción on the Use of International Rivers - 3 June 1971 1.2.3 Europe 1.2.3.1 Council of Europe: Draft European Convention for the Protection of International Watercourses against Pollution - Strasbourg, February 1974 1.2.3.2 Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context - Espoo, 25 February 1991 1.2.3.3 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes - 18 March 1992