UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav announces Addition of 2 New Wetlands to India's Ramsar List, ahead of World Wetlands Day 2026
Q1. The Ramsar Convention (1971) requires parties to promote the 'wise use' of all wetlands in their territory. In the context of the Convention, the term 'wise use' is best defined as the:
- A. maintenance of the ecological character of wetlands, achieved through ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development
- B. complete prohibition of all human economic activity within the boundaries of a designated wetland
- C. conversion of ecologically degraded wetlands into agricultural or aquaculture land to raise productivity
- D. exclusive reservation of wetlands for the conservation of migratory waterfowl to the exclusion of other biodiversity
Q2. In which years, respectively, was the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands adopted and did it enter into force?
- A. Adopted in 1971 and entered into force in 1975
- B. Adopted in 1975 and entered into force in 1982
- C. Adopted in 1971 and entered into force in 1971
- D. Adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1986
Q3. The designation of India's Ramsar sites and the implementation of the Ramsar Convention within India are carried out by which one of the following?
- A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- B. Ministry of Jal Shakti
- C. Ministry of Earth Sciences
- D. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Q4. As of World Wetlands Day 2026, India's network of 98 Ramsar sites is correctly described as being:
- A. the largest in Asia and the third largest in the world by number of sites
- B. the largest in Asia and also the largest in the world by number of sites
- C. the second largest in Asia after China and the largest in the world
- D. the largest in the world by total wetland area but only second in Asia by number of sites
Q5. The two wetlands added to India's Ramsar List ahead of World Wetlands Day 2026 — Patna Bird Sanctuary and Chhari-Dhand — lie respectively in which pair of States?
- A. Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat
- B. Bihar and Gujarat
- C. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan
- D. Bihar and Rajasthan
Q6. With reference to Chhari-Dhand, added to the Ramsar List in 2026, which one of the following descriptions is correct?
- A. It is Gujarat's fifth Ramsar site and a seasonal saline/brackish wetland
- B. It is Gujarat's first Ramsar site and a permanent freshwater lake
- C. It is Gujarat's third Ramsar site and a coastal mangrove wetland
- D. It is Gujarat's fifth Ramsar site and a permanent freshwater reservoir
Q7. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 have been notified under the provisions of which one of the following parent statutes?
- A. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- B. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- C. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- D. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Q8. With reference to the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 as compared with the earlier 2010 Rules, consider the following statements:
1. The 2017 Rules replaced the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010.
2. Unlike the 2010 Rules, the 2017 Rules shifted primary regulatory responsibility from a Central authority to State/UT Wetland Authorities.
3. The 2017 Rules are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The 2017 Rules replaced the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010.
- Unlike the 2010 Rules, the 2017 Rules shifted primary regulatory responsibility from a Central authority to State/UT Wetland Authorities.
- The 2017 Rules are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. With reference to World Wetlands Day, consider the following statements:
1. It is observed on 2 February each year.
2. It commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971.
3. The theme for World Wetlands Day 2026 is 'Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage'.
4. World Wetlands Day 2026 was the first occasion on which the day was observed anywhere in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- It is observed on 2 February each year.
- It commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971.
- The theme for World Wetlands Day 2026 is 'Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage'.
- World Wetlands Day 2026 was the first occasion on which the day was observed anywhere in the world.
- A. 4 only
- B. 1 and 2
- C. 3 and 4
- D. 2 and 4
Q10. World Wetlands Day is observed on 2 February because that date marks the anniversary of which one of the following events?
- A. The adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971
- B. India's accession to the Ramsar Convention in 1982
- C. The entry into force of the Ramsar Convention in 1975
- D. The establishment of the Ramsar Convention Secretariat at Gland, Switzerland
Q11. With reference to the distribution of Ramsar sites in India, consider the following statements:
1. Tamil Nadu has the largest number of Ramsar sites among the Indian States.
2. Uttar Pradesh has the second-largest number of Ramsar sites in India.
3. Chhari-Dhand is Gujarat's fifth Ramsar site.
4. Patna Bird Sanctuary is located in the State of Bihar.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- Tamil Nadu has the largest number of Ramsar sites among the Indian States.
- Uttar Pradesh has the second-largest number of Ramsar sites in India.
- Chhari-Dhand is Gujarat's fifth Ramsar site.
- Patna Bird Sanctuary is located in the State of Bihar.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4