Ramsar COP15 marked a pivotal moment in global wetland conservation, concluding with the adoption of 13 resolutions and 5th Strategic Plan for 2025-2034.
Wetlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth, yet they face an alarming crisis. The recent Ramsar COP15 conference in Zimbabwe brought this issue to global attention.
In the Ramsar Convention COP15, 13 resolutions and 5th strategic plan were adopted which aimed at protecting wetlands. This conference, themed "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," saw India emerge as a leader in wetland conservation.
Insights from COP15
Ramsar COP15 adopted 13 resolutions, presenting a global resolve to protect and restore wetlands. Some of the important resolutions include those on wetland restoration, protection of migratory birds through flyway conservation and the Global Waterbird Estimates Partnership among others.
Parties also adopted the 5th Strategic Plan (2025-2034) with four goals and 18 targets. These goals are:
Goal 1: Address and reverse wetland loss and degradation.
Goal 2: Achieve the wise use of Wetlands through policy planning and inclusive participation.
Goal 3: Conserve and Manage Wetlands of International Importance effectively.
Goal 4: Enhance implementation of the Convention through scientific cooperation, capacity building, and raising money.
The small 4.1% budget increase to CHF 15.5 million for 2025-27 highlights the challenges of financing conservation efforts. However, it is a modest but important step towards reinforcing its operational capacity. Building on this foundation of inclusive participation and community involvement established at COP15, one country took a particularly innovative approach to wetland conservation.
India's Historic Resolution at Ramsar COP15
India's resolution on "Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands" was successfully adopted on receiving support from all 172 countries at Ramsar COP15. This resolution aligns with the ethos of India's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, which was introduced by the Indian Prime Minister at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. Mission LiFE promotes a lifestyle that is synchronous with nature and does not harm it.
The resolution draws focus towards community-driven conservation. It shows how individual and community choices can impact wetland protection. By promoting a "pro-planet lifestyle" that fits different national situations, India has made behavioral change an important part of environmental policy.
The support for India's resolution shows that wetland conservation needs a "whole of society" approach. This means moving beyond government-only conservation models to include grassroots participation and local ownership.
Understanding the Wise Use Principle
The concept of "wise use" forms the foundation of the Ramsar Convention and has changed since the treaty began in 1971. Originally focused on sustainable use, the principle now means "maintaining the ecological health of wetlands through ecosystem-based approaches within sustainable development."
This change reflects a better understanding of ecology. We now recognize wetlands as complex, connected systems that provide many services beyond just being homes for animals. The wise use principle applies to all wetlands in a country, not just designated Ramsar Sites.
India's utilization of wise use principles through national programs shows how to apply this concept. The country's National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) and Integrated Management Plans (IMPs) provide frameworks for wetland management.
Understanding Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971) is the only global environmental treaty dedicated to wetlands. Initially focused on migratory waterfowl habitats, it now covers all wetland types, recognizing their role in biodiversity, climate regulation, and human well-being.
Global Reach and Impact
- 2,544 sites covering 257 million hectares worldwide
- Core Mission: To ensure the conservation and wise use of wetlands through local, national, and international action
- Evolution of Wise Use: Now applies to all wetlands within a country, not just Ramsar Sites, aligning the treaty with sustainable development goals
What Are Wetlands and Why Do They Matter?
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or stays at or near the surface for long periods. They come in various forms:
- Marshes and swamps - areas with standing water and vegetation
- Mangroves - coastal forests that grow in salt water
- Peatlands - areas where dead plant material accumulates in waterlogged conditions
- Rivers, lakes, and ponds - freshwater bodies
- Coastal areas - including estuaries where rivers meet the sea
Wetlands purify water, trap sediments, absorb pollutants, and act as natural buffers during floods and storms.
However, wetlands are the most threatened ecosystem, vanishing three times faster than forests. The Global Wetland Outlook 2025 warns of a potential $39 trillion loss in ecosystem services if urgent conservation measures are not adopted.
Threats and Challenges
Major threats to wetlands include:
- Urban encroachment and infrastructure development
- Agricultural expansion and water diversion
- Pollution from industrial and domestic sources
- Climate change impacts including altered precipitation patterns
- Invasive species introduction
- Over-exploitation of wetland resources
India's Ramsar Sites
India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982. India currently has 91 Ramsar sites covering a total surface area of 1,359,951 hectares, making it one of the countries with the highest number of Ramsar sites globally.
These sites represent diverse wetland ecosystems across the country, from the high-altitude lakes of Ladakh to the coastal mangroves of the Sundarbans.
Legal Framework for Wetland Protection
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as the regulatory framework for conservation and management of wetlands in India.
The 2017 Rules have strengthened the institutional framework through State/UT Wetland Authorities and a National Wetland Committee. They have enhanced the focus of management of wetlands from a central authority (as per 2010 Rules) to state bodies.
India's Conservation Model
India's approach to wetland conservation has gained international attention, particularly through its remarkable achievement of restoring 68,827 small wetlands in just one year through the Amrit Sarovar Mission and Mission Sahbhagita. This was achieved through a combination of community participation, technology use, and policy coordination.
The Amrit Sarovar Mission represents India's commitment to small-scale wetland restoration. Most of these revived wetlands are less than 1 hectare in area, demonstrating that significant conservation impact can be achieved through numerous small-scale interventions. Haryana's model, showcased at Ramsar COP15 in Zimbabwe, drew international attention for its speed and replicability.
The 'Mission Sahbhagita' and 'Save Wetlands' campaigns show India's commitment to conservation. These programs have engaged over 2 million citizens as volunteers, leading to mapping more than 170,000 wetlands and marking boundaries of nearly 120,000 wetlands across the country in three years.
Technology Use
India's use of technology in wetland conservation includes:
- GIS-Based Mapping and Remote Sensing for wetland classification and monitoring
- National Wetlands Portal serving as a digital platform for data collection and progress tracking
- Citizen engagement applications allowing community reporting and complaint handling
Together, these innovations create a model of conservation that other countries can replicate, particularly in the Global South.
Path Forward
The outcomes of Ramsar COP15, particularly India's leadership through its Mission LiFE resolution and restoration model, provide a blueprint for wetland conservation. The focus on governance, traditional knowledge integration, and community-driven approaches offers solutions that can be copied worldwide.
As the COP15 President said in her closing remarks, the success of these commitments depends on putting them into national policies and strategies, strengthening international cooperation, and establishing financial mechanisms to close resource gaps.
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Ramsar COP15 Wetland Convention FAQs
1. Where was the Ramsar COP15 conference held?
Ans. Zimbabwe
2. How many resolutions were adopted at Ramsar COP15?
Ans. 13 resolutions
3. When did India join the Ramsar Convention?
Ans. February 1, 1982
4. When was the Ramsar convention adopted?
Ans. 1971
5. What is the theme of Ramsar COP15?
Ans. Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future