Context:
A study conducted by the Bose Institute, Kolkata, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur highlights air pollution posing serious threat to Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem.
Key Findings:
- Pollutants enriched with black carbon from Kolkata and the Indo-Gangetic Plain along with localized sources such as biomass burning are the key sources of Air pollution.
- Acidic components of PM2.5 pollutants with heavy metals is fostering the generation of Rising Reactive Oxygenated Species (ROS), posing a severe threat to mangrove cells.
- ROS – Oxygen-containing radicals that are capable of independent existence with one or more unpaired electrons.
Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem:
- World’s largest mangrove ecosystem, named after the species Heritiera fomes, known as Sundri in Bengali.
- Located on – Delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers
- Spreads over India and Bangladesh
- Designated as a Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Declared as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention
- Sunderban National Park – Known for its wide range of fauna such as the Royal Bengal Tiger, Water Monitor Lizard, Gangetic Dolphin and Olive Ridley Turtles.
- Sunderbans Delta is the only mangrove forest in the world inhabited by tigers.
Source: Times of India
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 recommendation of the 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 Service Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect. Ramsar Convention is not a mandatory regime that enforce parties to conserve wetlands. Rather, it guides the member nations in conservation of wetlands.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 which is framed by the Ministry of Environment is not based on the recommendation of the Ramsar Convention.
