Ramsar Wetlands: Montreux Record & Indian Sites Questions
The Montreux Record was established in 1990 during the fourth Conference of Contracting Parties (COP4) in Montreux, Switzerland, as a specialized register under Article 8 of the Ramsar Convention. It identifies designated Ramsar sites experiencing, or facing imminent risk of, adverse changes in their ecological character stemming from technological developments, pollution, or human interference. In India, three prominent wetlands have featured on this register. Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan was inscribed in 1990 because acute water shortages—aggravated by diversion from the Ajan Dam—and rampant spread of invasive grass species like Paspalum distichum degraded essential wintering habitats for migratory waterfowl. Loktak Lake in Manipur was added in 1993 after the construction of the Ithai Barrage in 1983 stabilized water levels, disrupting natural water level fluctuations and causing severe thinning of the floating vegetation mats known as phumdis. Conversely, Chilika Lake in Odisha, initially listed in 1993 due to siltation, weed infestation, and choking of its oceanic inlet, was successfully removed in 2002. The Chilika Development Authority executed a hydrological intervention by excavating an artificial mouth at Sipakuda, restoring saline exchange and fish recruitment.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The Montreux Record was established under Recommendation 4.4 at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties in Montreux, Switzerland, in 1990.
A Ramsar site is added to the Montreux Record only with the formal concurrence of the Contracting Party whose territory contains the wetland.
Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, was placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 due to water deprivation and the unchecked spread of invasive Paspalum distichum grass.
The cessation of water supply from the Ajan Dam to Keoladeo significantly reduced winter foraging grounds for migratory birds, including the critically endangered Siberian crane.
Loktak Lake in Manipur was inscribed on the Montreux Record in 1993 following ecological degradation caused by the commissioning of the Ithai Barrage in 1983.
The Ithai Barrage converted Loktak Lake from a naturally fluctuating wetland into a permanent reservoir, preventing the seasonal grounding and nutrient regeneration of floating phumdis.
Keibul Lamjao National Park, located on the southern fringes of Loktak Lake, constitutes the singular natural refuge for the endangered Sangai deer (Rucervus eldii eldii).
Chilika Lake in Odisha was inscribed on the Montreux Record in 1993 due to hypersiltation, choking of the lead channel at Magarmukh, and rapid spread of invasive Eichhornia crassipes.
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) opened a new navigational sea mouth at Sipakuda in September 2000, successfully restoring salinity regimes and marine faunal migration.
Chilika Lake became the first wetland in Asia to be removed from the Montreux Record in 2002, earning the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award for successful ecological restoration.
Ramsar Advisory Missions (RAM) provide technical evaluation and expert recommendations to member states for rehabilitating sites listed on the Montreux Record.
Removal of a wetland from the Montreux Record requires formal approval by the Ramsar Secretariat following demonstrable remediation of adverse ecological conditions.
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 prohibit commercial reclamation, dumping of solid waste, untreated sewage discharge, and expansion of polluting industries within notified wetlands.
State Wetland Authorities (SWAs) established under the 2017 Rules hold statutory responsibility for demarcating wetland boundaries and formulating comprehensive conservation strategies.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the 'Amrit Dharohar' initiative in 2023 to promote community-based ecotourism and conservation across Indian Ramsar wetlands.
Under the Ramsar Convention, what is the Montreux Record?
Verified Explanation
The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or human interference. Established in 1990, it highlights priority sites needing conservation attention.
2ID: GK-ENV-00995
mediumNational Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
What is the primary function of the 'Montreux Record' established under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands?
Verified Explanation
Established by Recommendation 4.8 at COP4 in Montreux (1990), the Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance where adverse changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference.
3ID: GK-ENV-00996
hardNational Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
Which two Indian wetland ecosystems are currently listed on the Montreux Record of the Ramsar Convention?
Verified Explanation
Currently, India has two wetland sites on the Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan (placed on the record in 1990 due to water shortage and invasive aquatic vegetation) and Loktak Lake in Manipur (placed in 1993 due to deforestation in catchment, siltation, and hydrological alterations caused by the Ithai Barrage).
4ID: GK-ENV-00997
easyNational Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
Which major Indian coastal lagoon was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 but successfully removed in 2002 after comprehensive hydrological restoration, earning the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award?
Verified Explanation
Chilika Lake was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 due to siltation, choking of its sea mouth, and decreasing salinity that threatened biodiversity. Following restorative engineering by the Chilika Development Authority (opening a new mouth to the Bay of Bengal in 2000), salinity and fish yields recovered, leading to its removal from the Record in 2002.
5ID: GK-ENV-01010
hardNational Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan was placed on the Montreux Record primarily due to which combined ecological stressors?
Verified Explanation
Keoladeo National Park was placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 due to water scarcity caused by diversion from the Ajan Dam and erratic monsoons, which dried out feeding ponds for migratory birds. This desiccation facilitated the aggressive spread of the non-palatable invasive grass Paspalum distichum, choking wetland habitats.
6ID: GK-ENV-00998
mediumNational Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
What primary ecological factor led to the inclusion of Loktak Lake (Manipur) in the Montreux Record in 1993?
Verified Explanation
The construction of the Ithai Barrage in 1983 for the Loktak Hydroelectric Project permanently converted Loktak Lake from a naturally fluctuating wetland into a static reservoir. The absence of seasonal water-level fluctuations disrupted the natural thinning and grounding of floating vegetative biomass mats ('phumdis'), endangering the habitat of the endemic sangai brow-antlered deer.
7ID: GK-WILD-00206
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which wetland sites in India are currently included on the Montreux Record, a register of Ramsar wetland sites where adverse ecological changes have occurred or are likely to occur?
Verified Explanation
Currently, two Indian wetlands are on the Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur). Chilika Lake was placed on the record in 1993 but removed in 2002 after successful ecological restoration.
8ID: GK-WILD-00408
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the Ramsar List facing ecological change. Which two Indian wetlands are currently listed on the Montreux Record?
Verified Explanation
Keoladeo National Park (placed in 1990 due to water scarcity) and Loktak Lake (placed in 1993 due to deforestation and hydel projects) are the two Indian sites on the Montreux Record. Chilika Lake was removed in 2002 after restoration.
9ID: GK-WILD-00469
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar wetland sites where ecological changes have occurred or are likely to occur. Which two Indian sites are currently listed on the Montreux Record?
Verified Explanation
Keoladeo National Park (placed in 1990 due to water shortages) and Loktak Lake (placed in 1993 due to deforestation and phumdi degradation) are the two Indian sites on the Montreux Record.
10ID: GK-WILD-00531
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which two Indian wetlands are currently listed on the Montreux Record?
Verified Explanation
Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are the two Indian sites on the Montreux Record (Chilika Lake was removed in 2002 after successful ecological restoration).