Table of Contents
Friends, Lonar Lake has recently been included in the list of international Ramsar sites. This has further added to the fame of this world-famous lake created by meteorites. So let’s get started with the learning of the Lonar Lake Ramsar Site UPSC [Union Public Service Commission] Study purpose.
Lonar Lake Ramsar Site UPSC Study
Ramsar site is a type of place where the land is flooded permanently or temporarily. These places are called wetlands as they are completely filled with water.
Certain elements in this region distinguish this wetland from other lands. It is characterized by the vegetation of aquatic plants, unique anoxic hydric soils, and biologically perfect wetlands.
An international agreement has been reached internationally for such important wetlands. The agreement provides international cooperation for the area named in the Ramsar site. The agreement was signed on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran. Therefore, this agreement is also known as Ramsar Site Treaty.
Since the treaty came into force in 1971, almost 90% of the member states of the United Nations have ratified it. India also ratified the agreement on February 1, 1982.
The definition of wetlands is also elaborated on in the Ramsar Agreement. Accordingly, such regions include all types of lakes, rivers, swampy grasslands, thorny forests, desert green areas as well as coral islands, etc.
It also includes man-made sites such as fish ponds, paddy fields, water, and salt pans. Currently, more than 2200 places in the world have got the status of Ramsar site.
The Ramsar Agreement provides for the protection of some of the world’s most important wetlands. It also focuses on the sustainable development of these wetlands through local and national action councils and international cooperation.
Some methods have been developed to assess biological health, as well as these areas, for such low-lying wetlands. And such assessment helps in creating awareness about these places in society as well.
Water in wetlands can be sweet or salty. Such wetlands are classified on the basis of the characteristic vegetation or water source of the region. It also includes wooded and swampy areas with shrubs.
Due to these features of Ramsar sites, Lonar Lake was included in the list of international Ramsar sites in November 2020, which has once again attracted the attention of the entire world. This will help Lonar Lake to gain global prestige.
Due to the inclusion of Lonar, the second place in Maharashtra among these Ramsar places, another prestigious feather has been added to the crown of Maharashtra.
What is Ramsar Site
Earlier in January 2020, Nandur Madhameshwar Bird Sanctuary in Nashik district of Maharashtra has been included in the Ramsar sites. It is known as Bharatpur in Maharashtra.
We would also like to inform you that the list of Ramsar sites includes Lake Lonar as well as Sur Sarovar [Lake] near Agra.
Wetlands are essential for human habitation. This is the place where we get our freshwater supply. But due to human intervention, the habitat of such places has been steadily declining.
According to the agreement of the Ramsar site, the country should use those wetlands with the utmost discretion. Other suitable places should also be included in Ramsar places.
If the site of a Ramsar site is shared between the two countries, then there is expected to be a commitment to the biological ecosystem there and to all species. It is also necessary to take all kinds of measures at the international level for that region.
In addition, to be included in the list of Ramsar places, it is important to apply certain criteria to that particular place. It is essential that species exist in that particular place and globally.
It is also important to maintain regularity in a way that does not endanger the biodiversity of the area and to provide shelter to endangered plants or animals.
It also includes the significant number of fish species in the wetlands, what is the main source of food for those fish, and whether their spawning space is adequate.
Citation
It is imperative to create adequate awareness among the local administration as well as the people about Ramsar places.
It is equally important for the locals as well as the tourists who come here to have a thorough knowledge of the place and respect for its biodiversity.
Currently, part of Lonar Lake falls under the Melghat Tiger Reserve. So they have control over everything there. The administration is also cooperating a lot in all these matters.
At the same time, it is the duty of every local or foreign tourist visiting Lonar Lake to ensure that no biological or material resources are harmed in any way. Only then can we perpetuate this world heritage.
Follow us on Facebook
