International Wetland Day: 2010

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of wetlands. The aim of this convention is to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognising the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.It was developed and adopted by participating nations at a meeting in Ramsar in Iran on February 2, 1971, and came into force on December 21, 1975.

International Wetlands Day
To commemorate this every year is 2nd February is observed as International Wetlands Day.

Total Number of Parties:
The total number of contracting nations is 159 as of February 2, 2010.

Ramsar Sites:
Wetlands which are deemed to be of "international importance" under the Ramsar Convention are called Ramsar sites.

Ramsar Sites in India
As of January 28, 2010 India has 25 Ramsar sites. They are as follows:

Andhra Pradesh

• Kolleru Lake
  Assam
• Deepor Beel
  Himachal Pradesh
• Chandertal Wetland
• Pong Dam Lake
• Renuka Wetland
  Jammu & Kashmir
• Hokera Wetland
• Surinsar-Mansar Lakes
• Tsomoriri
• Wular Lake
  Kerala
• Ashtamudi Wetland
• Sasthamkotta Lake
• Vembanad-Kol Wetland
  Madhya Pradesh
• Bhoj Wetland
  Manipur
• Loktak Lake MR
  Orissa
• Bhitarkanika Mangroves
• Chilika Lake
  Punjab
• Harike Lake
• Kanjli
• Ropar
  Rajasthan
• Keoladeo National Park MR
• Sambhar Lake
  Tamil Nadu
• Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
  Tripura
• Rudrasagar Lake
  Uttar Pradesh
• Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)
  West Bengal
• East Calcutta Wetlands

Some Notes from : International Wetlands Day 2010.
1. A Rs. 350 crore project has been launched at Jammu & Kashmir to preserve and protect lakes including Wullar Lake in North Kashmir, Surinsar-Mansar in Jammu, Sumorari in Ladakh, Hokersar.
2. Mahatma Gandhi Chair for ecology and environment studies in Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri district was launched by Mr Jairam Ramesh.
3. Government of India is considering Dal Development Project of Rs. 1000 Crore for world famous Dal Lake.