RAMSAR Convention

Environmental Law
De Roca, Christopher
 RAMSAR Convention
• Intergovernmental Treaty
• Conservation and wise use of wetlands for
“sustainable development”
• Iranian city of Ramsar, 1971
• Recognizes Waterfowls
• Lead Person: Secretariat
 Contracting Parties
• 164
• Number of sites: 2,098 (Ramsar List)
• Total surface area: 205,042,613 hectares
• Meets every 3 years
 Is Our Country (Philippines) a Party?
• Yes
• Since 11 Aug 1994
• 5 Sites covering 154,235 hectares
• Institution: Society for the Conservation of
Phil. Wetlands Inc. (SCPW)
 Sites in the Philippines
1.Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
2.Naujan Lake National Park, Oriental Mindoro
3.Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Mindanao
4.Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park,
Palawan
5.Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National
Park, Palawan
Olango Island, Cebu
 Some Waterfowls in Olango
Chinese Egret
Asiatic Dowitcher
Naujan Lake
Agusan Marsh, Mindanao
Tubbataha Reef, Palawan
Subterranean River, Palawan
 What are Ramsar’s Goals?
• Wise use
• Recognize importance of wetlands
• International cooperation
• Monitor effectiveness
• Maintain the ecological character of wetlands
 Importance of Wetlands
• Livelihood
• Tourism
• Prevents flooding
• Water purification
• Balanced ecosystem
When is a wetland healthy and when is
it not?
Flagship Species: for awareness (healthy)

Keystone Species: vital importance (healthy)

Non-Native Species: invasive; can disrupt balance

(deleterious)
How will Ramsar Achieve its Goals?
• Wetland inventory and assessment
• Global wetland information
• Policy, legislation, and institutions
• Recognize Invasive alien species
• Keep secretariat updated
 Obligations of the Parties
• Consult with each other
• Train personnel
• Establish nature reserves
• Designate atleast 1 wetland in its territory
• Develop Strategic Plan
 What is the Montreux Record?
• The official list of wetlands of international
importance
• Gives emphasis on some of the wetlands
listed in the RAMSAR List
How Does the Philippines Abide by the
Convention?
• Action Plan
• Prepared by the PAWB, under the DENR
• For SCPW’s implementation
 Action Plan
• The guiding document for national
implementation
• Provide an effective framework for
conservation and wise use of wetlands
• SCPW as the “task-force” for the
implementation of the action plan
• Not just conservation and wise use, also
includes rehabilitation of wetlands
• Intensify research
 Action Plan
• Also to promote ecotourism
• Establish critical habitat areas
• Prioritize
• National Focal Point: Marlynn Mendoza
 Some Partners of the Ramsar
• International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN)
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)