Consider the following statements : 1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India. 2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention. 3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 1 is wrong: the Ramsar Convention obliges parties to conserve designated Wetlands of International Importance and promote 'wise use' of others; it does not make protection of all wetlands mandatory.
• Statement 3 is correct: the 2010 Rules (Rule 2) define a wetland to include its zone of influence/catchment as determined by the authority.
• Statement 2 is treated as correct in the official key: the Rules were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act in line with India's Ramsar commitments; the key credited both (b) and (c), reflecting doubt over this statement.
• The 2010 Rules were replaced by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b) — with (c) also accepted.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: Ramsar does not mandate protecting all wetlands.
- (c) 3 only
- Also accepted by the official key; recorded answer is (b).
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.