Wetland - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   What is a wetland complex?

a. Set of wetlands dependent on each other
b. A wetland with variety of vegetation and water types
c. Wetlands which form a boundary of a large water body
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Set of wetlands dependent on each other

Explanation:

  • ‘Wetland complexes’ are a set of wetlands dependent on each other.
  • In a wetland complex, major functional discontinuities (such as uplands or open water lakes) may subdivide the area into a number of distinctive wetland units, but the entire wetland area is evaluated as a single unit.
  • Wetland complexes are commonly related in a functional way, that is, as a group they tend to have similar or complementary biological, social and/or hydrological functions. Much of the wildlife in the area of the complex is variously dependent upon the presence of the entire complex of wetlands, with each wetland unit contributing to the whole.


2)   Which of the following is/are true regarding the comparison between 2010 wetland conservation rules and draft 2016 rules?

1) The 2010 rules permitted 12 activities with prior permission while the 2016 rules do not address the issue of prior permission.
2) 2016 rules allows activities that make “wise use” of wetlands.
3) 2016 has a time bound procedure to notify wetlands once the rules come in force, unlike the 2010 rules which had no time limit.


a. 2, 3
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

  • 2010 Rules: 12 activities including fishing, boating, dredging, etc. are restricted without prior permission from the state government.
    2016 Draft Rules: Do not address the issue of prior permission for any activity.
  • 2010 Rules: Activities prohibited in wetlands include reclamation, constructing permanent structures within 50 m, setting up or expanding industries, throwing waste, etc.
    2016 Draft Rules: The entire list, apart from reclamation, has been deleted. Activities that make “wise use” of wetlands have been permitted. The state authority is to decide what does, and doesn’t, amount to “wise use”.
  • 2010 Rules: Wetlands have to be notified within a year of the Rules coming into force, and there are deadlines for each process along the way: 6 months for identification and classification, 30 days to send it to a research institute for reference and opinion, 90 days for the research institute to submit its opinion. The rest of the time is available for fulfilling notification formalities, which pass through the central authority.
    2016 Draft Rules: Do away with the time-bound process for notification.


3)   The Draft Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2016 are applicable to which of the following sites?

1) Wetlands under Ramsar Convention.
2) Wetlands notified by State Governments located in respective states
3) Wetlands notified by Central Government located in states


a. 2, 3
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:
The rules are applicable to three types of wetlands as follows:

  • Wetlands of international importance under Ramsar Convention. Currently, 26 wetlands {check schedule here} come in this category.
  • Wetlands notified by State Governments located in respective states.
  • Wetlands notified by the Central Government based in Union territories.


4)   Which of the following is/are true?

1) There is no specific law for wetland conservation, management and use in India.
2) Around 70% of India’s wetlands are under paddy cultivation.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

  • There are over 27000 Wetlands in India covering 18.4% of total area. Out of them, an overwhelming majority is of inland wetlands (23000) while few of them are coastal wetlands (4000).
  • Around 70% of India’s wetlands are under paddy cultivation. Majority of wetlands in India are manmade. There is no specific law for wetland conservation, management and use in India.
  • The wetlands are covered under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Using the powers given by this act, the Central Government had issued the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010.
  • There was a need to update these rules. The recently released Draft Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2016 is a step in that direction.


5)   Which wetland was added to the Ramsar Sites in India as the latest or the 26th site?

a. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
b. Pong Dam
c. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
d. Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

Explanation:

  • The site was identified in 1988.
  • Nalsarovar was declared as a Ramsar site on 24 September 2012. Since 2005 it is the only lake that has been declared as Ramsar site in India.
  • It is located in Gujarat.
  • Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary consists primarily of a 120.82-square-kilometre (46.65 sq mi) lake and ambient marshes.
  • Mainly inhabited by migratory birds in winter and spring, it is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India. It was declared a bird sanctuary in April 1969.


6)   Which of the following sites are identified as Ramsar Sites in India?

1) Lonar lake
2) Wular Lake
3) Point Calimere
4) Tso Morari


a. 1, 2, 4
b. 1, 4
c. 2, 3, 4
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 2, 3, 4

Explanation:

  • India currently has 26 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 689,131 hectares.
  • Some of the important sites in India are – Kolleru lake, Deeper bol, East Calcutta Wetlands, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Pong Dam, Renuka, Chandratal, Hokesar, Mansar and Surinsar, Kanjli, Rupar, Bhoj, etc.