The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It holds the distinction of being the first modern global treaty between nations focused on conserving natural resources. The Convention was adopted on February 2, 1971, in the city of Ramsar, Iran, and became effective on December 21, 1975. It was created in response to the growing global recognition of the ecological importance of wetlands and the increasing threat of their loss and degradation, particularly as critical habitats for migratory waterfowl.
The Convention’s mission is the "conservation and wise use of all wetlands". This is implemented through three main pillars: first, promoting the wise use of all wetlands within a country's territory; second, designating suitable wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the "Ramsar List") and ensuring their effective management; and third, cooperating on transboundary wetlands and shared species. Contracting Parties, such as India, are obligated to designate at least one site for the Ramsar List upon accession. The policy-making body is the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP), which meets every three years.
The Convention connects to a broader network of environmental governance, collaborating with conventions like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the World Heritage Convention (WHC). The Secretariat is administered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While the core principles remain, the mission has been refined, notably in 1999, 2005, and 2011. Recent changes include the adoption of the Strategic Plan 2016-2024 in June 2015 and resolutions at COP14 in 2022 to promote the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in wetland management. India’s commitment has recently accelerated, with the country reaching 98 Ramsar Sites as of early 2026.