Context:
Fifth meeting of Conference of Parties (COP 5) to Minamata Convention held in Geneva.
Minamata Convention on Mercury:
- Adopted in 2013
- 1st global legally binding treaty to protect human health and environment from adverse effects of mercury.
- It came into force in 2017 and India ratified it in 2018.
- Mercury may have toxic effects on nervous system, thyroid, kidneys, lungs, immune system, eyes, skin etc.
Key decisions adopted at COP 5:
- For the 1st time, COP pushed to reduce mercury supply sources and trade by strengthening capacities at national level and developing study on global supply, trade, production and use of mercury compounds.
- Implementation of projects and programmes undertaken under Convention with participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
- Limit of 15 mg/kg concentration of mercury is set as threshold for wastes contaminated with mercury or mercury compounds.
- Amend Annex A of Convention to list phaseout dates for certain types of batteries, switches and relays, fluorescent lamps, and cosmetics.
- Amend Annex B of Convention to mandate phaseout of mercury in polyurethane production by 2025.
Annexes of Convention:
| Annex A | Contains Mercury-added products. Eg. Batteries, Compact fluorescent lamps, Pesticides, biocides etc. |
| Annex B | Contains Manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used. Eg. Production of polyurethane using mercury catalysts. |
| Annex C | Contains Artisanal and small-scale gold mining. |
| Annex D | Contains List of point sources of emissions of mercury and mercury compounds to atmosphere. |
| Annex E | Contains arbitration and conciliation procedures. |
Source: UNEP
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Under 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?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
