Those wetlands that have significant role in influencing environment globally are selected as Ramsar sites. From India, 26 sites have been included in this category. Total surface area of wetlands is 6,88,131 hectares. From Kerala Ashtamudi back water, Shasthankotta lake, Koal lands of Thrissur and Vembanad lake are included. 2065 wetlands from all over the world have been placed in Ramsar group till now. Total surface area is 19.73 crore hectares. 45 ones have been included in UNESCO’s list too. Keval Dev National Garden of India and Sunderban of Bangladesh have been included in this group. 159 Ramsar sites have been given the designation of Biosphere Reserves. A set of Ramsar sites that have undergone environmental changes have been listed. 48 sites belong to this record known as ‘The Montreux Record’. Kevaldev National garden of Rajasthan and Lokthak Lake of Manipur have made places in this record.

Wetlands are valuable assets

With the help of 1360 experts, an estimate was calculated to know about the contribution of wetlands to human race. It was known as Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. When it was completed in 1997, it was roughly calculated as 15 Trillion dollar.

It helps to prevent Tsunami

Mangrove forest is an environment that contains salt water where living organizations, both plants and animals that can exist in salt live. In Kerala they are found in 50 square kilometers. 2004 Tsunami prevented the destruction of such forests in many places of Kerala. The deep roots of trees in those banks reduced the pressure given by Tsunami tides. Different types of mangrove forests are available in Kerala. They help to absorb the chemical wastes of water and provide fresh water for fishes, prawns, crabs and mussels to live. It gives shelter to many plants including medicinal varieties too. Yet they face life threats in our country a lot. Though many strict laws are available in our country regarding the destruction of such forests, mangroves, marshy lands and paddy fields, they have not been implemented successfully till now.

Ramsar and protection to wetlands

Those countries that have joined Ramsar Convention should nominate at least one wetland that has significance globally. Based on the features of wetlands and presence of rare species, they will be included in Ramsar list. It’s the duty of that particular country, to ensure its safety.

Article Posted By : Sandhya Rani  On April 18, 2013lView All Articles

Save wetlands to save ourselves

Article Source :

http://www.veethi.com/articles/wetlands-included-in-ramsar-convention-article-2022.htm

Keywords :
Wetlands , Ramsar Convention , Keval Dev National Garden of India