Latest news with #RamsarListofWetlandsofInternationalImportance
Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
India's Ramsar Site tally touches 91 as two more Rajasthan wetlands gain recognition
On the eve of World Environment Day, India on Wednesday added two more wetlands—Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur—to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance . With these additions, India's total count of Ramsar Sites now stands at 91. Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Lok Sabha MP from Alwar announced the news on X (formerly Twitter). 'This achievement is yet another testament to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji's steadfast commitment to environmental conservation,' Yadav wrote on X. 'Congratulations, India—especially the people of Rajasthan—for this significant step towards a greener tomorrow.' Great news! India's strides in environmental conservation are happening with great vigour and are powered by public participation. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2025 Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the news, describing it as a sign of 'India's strides in environmental conservation… powered by public participation and happening with great vigour.' What are wetlands? Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present either seasonally or throughout the year. These ecosystems are vital for maintaining biodiversity, mitigating floods, and filtering pollutants. They serve as habitats for a rich variety of plant and animal species—especially birds, fish, and amphibians—and are crucial to the health of the planet. Wetlands also support local economies through agriculture, fishing, and tourism, and they play an integral role in maintaining the water cycle and storing carbon, thereby helping to combat climate change. A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The convention aims to ensure the conservation and wise use of wetlands to maintain their ecological character and benefits for current and future generations. Sites awarded Ramsar status are recognised globally for their environmental, economic, and cultural value.
Saudi Gazette
12-05-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia joins Ramsar Convention to protect wetlands and biodiversity
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), has officially joined the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, marking a major milestone in its efforts to conserve environmental resources, natural habitats, and biodiversity while advancing environmental sustainability and supporting the national economy. The Kingdom's accession reflects the NCW's leadership in developing comprehensive plans for wetland protection, including support for scientific research, monitoring, and ecosystem conservation. The center is coordinating with national partners to implement the Convention's provisions across the country. By joining Ramsar, Saudi Arabia aims to identify and manage sites eligible for the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and ensure their effective stewardship in line with international standards. Wetlands are among the world's richest ecosystems, hosting around 40% of Earth's species and storing 30% of global carbon. They are vital for water, food, and medicine supply, energy production, climate regulation, agriculture, and ecotourism. They also serve as essential stopovers for migratory waterfowl crossing continents. Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, said: 'Wetland conservation directly impacts ecological balance, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development. Saudi Arabia's accession to the Ramsar Convention is a strategic step that contributes to enhancing environmental and economic benefits.' He reiterated the center's commitment to global best practices in wetland conservation and rehabilitation, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, is the world's oldest international environmental treaty. It provides a global framework for national and cross-border cooperation in the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources. It covers various wetland types, including lakes, marshes, oases, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, and artificial sites such as reservoirs and rice fields.
