Question 76 from UPSC CSE 2014 - environme nt

Question

If a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.

Strategy: Focus on the phrase 'Montreux Record.' Recognize this as a technical term under the Ramsar Convention relating to wetlands facing ecological threats. Options referring to legal prohibitions, cultural diversity, or heritage status are out of context. Only option A directly refers to actual or potential ecological changes due to human interference, which matches the purpose of the Montreux Record.

Key Info: ## The Montreux Record

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites under the Ramsar Convention where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur.

- **Purpose:** To serve as an early warning tool, highlighting Ramsar sites that require priority conservation attention or remedial action due to human interference.
- **Placement:** Listing on the record is voluntary but signals the need for both national and international support.
- **Scope:** The record focuses exclusively on ecological features. It does not mandate legal prohibitions, such as blanket bans on human activity, nor does it confer heritage status, which is handled by UNESCO. Cultural practices are not a criterion for inclusion.
- **Examples:** Sites in India that have been on the Montreux Record include Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometers from the edge of the wetland.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity, and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: It is given the status of 'World Heritage Site'.