First Indian Wins Ramsar Wetland Award
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
- ▶
BEFORE: Pallikaranai Marsh was largely treated as a municipal wasteland, with a massive garbage dump severely polluting the local ecosystem. NOW: It is globally recognized as a Ramsar Site and is undergoing active, science-based ecological restoration to protect its biodiversity.
- ▶
BEFORE: Dozens of smaller wetlands across Tamil Nadu were ignored, encroached upon, or written off as lost to urban expansion. NOW: Through the community-driven efforts of the Care Earth Trust, 44 urban wetlands have been systematically mapped, revived, and protected.
- ▶
BEFORE: India had not won the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award for individual grassroots conservation leadership. NOW: Jayshree Vencatesan's 2025 award marks the first time an Indian has received this specific international accolade for the 'Wise Use of Wetlands'.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)With reference to wetland conservation in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Montreux Record is maintained as part of the Ramsar List to track wetlands facing ecological changes due to human interference. 2. Under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017, the central government directly manages all Ramsar sites in India without state involvement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?