Consider the following statements : 1. Under the 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?
Explanation
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Ramsar Convention requires contracting parties to designate suitable wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance and promote their conservation and "wise use." It does not impose a mandatory legal obligation to protect and conserve every single wetland within the entire territory of a country.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. They were not framed based on specific recommendations of the Ramsar Convention, although they align with the general spirit of wetland conservation.
Statement 3 is Correct: According to the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, the definition of a 'wetland' includes the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority. This allows for a more comprehensive protection of the ecosystem's hydrological cycle.