If a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?
Smart Elimination
• Statement 2: “Law to prohibit human activity within 5 km of the wetland.” — Think in lines of how can some international body give out guidelines for creating such mandatory distance rule, doesn't it violate India's sovereignty? — This is incorrect.
• Statement 3: “Survival depends on cultural practices...” — This is totally unrelated. Montreux Record is about ecological degradation, not cultural protection — Incorrect.
• Statement 4: “It is given the status of World Heritage Site.” — Being on Montreux Record actually indicates a problem, not an honor. Incorrect.
► Key elimination: If the question involves a global treaty or environmental tag: Anything that sounds like absolute bans, fixed distance restrictions etc is usually NOT related — eliminate those.
Potential Trap
Similar Terms: Option D mentions 'World Heritage Site', which is under UNESCO, not Ramsar. Option B sounds like a regulatory rule (Environment Protection Act) rather than a registry definition.
Answer Key & Explanation
Answer: AThe correct answer is Option A.
Explanation: The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List) where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference.
- It acts as a 'watch list' to highlight wetlands in urgent need of attention.
Value Addition
- Indian Sites: Currently, Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are in the Montreux Record.
- Removed Site: Chilika Lake (Odisha) was placed in the record but was removed after successful restoration.
- Ramsar Convention: Signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
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Foundational question based on core concepts.