The Ramsar Convention

on Wetlands
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an intergovernmental treaty
adopted on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on
the southern shore of the Caspian Sea

The Convention is usually written as "Convention on

Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)“ but is popularly referred to as
the "Ramsar Convention".

The Convention entered into force in 1975 and as of 1 May

2003 has 136 Contracting Parties. More than 1280 wetlands
have been designated for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of
International Importance, covering some 108.7 million hectares
(1.87 million km2), more than the surface area of France,
Germany, and Switzerland combined.
The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as:
"areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or
artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static
or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine
water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six
metres".
"may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the
wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than
six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands".

As such the Convention coverage extends to a wide variety of

habitat types, including rivers and lakes, coastal lagoons,
mangroves, peatlands, and even coral reefs.
Value of wetlands :
Water supply
Wildlife resources
Agriculture
Fisheries (over two thirds of the world’s fish harvest is linked to the health
of coastal and inland wetland areas);
Timber production
Energy resources, such as peat and plant matter
Transport
Recreation and tourism opportunities
Why do countries join the Ramsar Convention?
Membership in the Ramsar Convention:
•endorses the principles that the Convention represents, facilitating the
development at national level of policies and actions, including legislation
that helps nations to make the best possible use of their wetland resources
in their quest for sustainable development;
•presents an opportunity for a country to make its voice heard in the
principal intergovernmental forum on the conservation and wise use of
wetlands;
•brings increased publicity and prestige for the wetlands designated for the
List of Wetlands of International Importance, and hence increased
possibility of support for conservation and wise use measures;
•brings access to the latest information and advice on application of the
Convention’s internationally-accepted standards, such as criteria for
identifying wetlands of international importance, guidelines on application
of the wise use concept, and guidelines on management planning in
wetlands;
•brings access to expert advice on national and site-related problems of
wetland conservation and management through contacts with Ramsar
Bureau personnel and consultants and through application of the Ramsar
Advisory Mission mechanism when appropriate; and
•encourages international cooperation on wetland issues and brings the
possibility of support for wetland projects, either through the Convention’s
own Small Grants Fund or through the Convention’s contacts with
multilateral and bilateral external support agencies.
What are the commitments of Parties joining the Ramsar
Convention?
When countries join the Convention, they are enlisting in an
international effort to ensure the conservation and wise use of
wetlands. The treaty includes four main commitments that the
Contracting Parties have agreed to by joining :
1. Listed sites
2. Wise use
3. Reserves and training
4. International cooperation
 1. Listed sites

The first obligation under the Convention is to designate at

least one wetland for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of
International Importance (the "Ramsar List") and to promote
its conservation, including, where appropriate, its wise use.
Selection for the Ramsar List should be based on the wetland’s
significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology,
or hydrology. The Contracting Parties have adopted specific
criteria and guidelines for identifying sites that qualify for
inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance.
 2. Wise use

Under the Convention there is a general obligation for the

Contracting Parties to include wetland conservation
considerations in their national land-use planning. They have
undertaken to formulate and implement this planning so as to
promote, as far as possible, "the wise use of wetlands in
their territory" (Article 3.1 of the treaty).
The Conference of the Contracting Parties has approved
guidelines and additional guidance on how to achieve "wise
use", which has been interpreted as being synonymous with
"sustainable use".
 3. Reserves and training

Contracting Parties have also undertaken to establish nature

reserves in wetlands, whether or not they are included in the
Ramsar List, and they are also expected to promote training in
the fields of wetland research, management and wardening.
 4. International cooperation

Contracting Parties have also agreed to consult with other

Contracting Parties about implementation of the Convention,
especially in regard to transfrontier wetlands, shared water
systems, and shared species.
Over the years, the Conference of the Contracting Parties has
interpreted and elaborated upon these four major obligations
included within the text of the treaty, and it has developed
guidelines for assisting the Parties in their implementation. These
guidelines are published in the Ramsar Handbook series.
"Wetlands should be selected for the List of Wetlands of
International Importance on account of their international
significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or
hydrology" and indicates that "in the first instance, wetlands
of international importance to waterfowl at any season should
be included".
The latest version of the Criteria was adopted by the 7th
meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties in
1999. The eight criterions were subdivided into two
groups:
Group A of the Criteria : Sites containing representative, rare or
unique wetland types
Group B of the Criteria : Sites of international importance for
conserving biological diversity
 Group A of the Criteria. Sites containing representative, rare or unique
wetland types
Criterion 1: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it
contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-
natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.
 Group B of the Criteria. Sites of international importance for
conserving biological diversity

Criteria based on species and ecological communities

Criterion 2: A wetland should be considered internationally
important if it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically
endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
Criterion 3: A wetland should be considered internationally
important if it supports populations of plant and/or animal species
important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular
biogeographic region.
Criterion 4: A wetland should be considered internationally
important if it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical
stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse
conditions.
 Specific criteria based on waterbirds
Criterion 5: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it
regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
Criterion 6: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it
regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or
subspecies of waterbird.

Specific criteria based on fish

Criterion 7: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it
supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or
families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are
representative of wetland benefits and/or values and thereby contributes to
global biological diversity.
Criterion 8: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it is
an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or
migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere,
depend.
 Ramsar is part of the Biodiversity Related Conventions together with the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention on Migratory Species
(CMS), and the World Heritage Convention
 Malaysia
Became one of the members on the 10th March 1995
Designated 5 sites as Wetlands International with a surface
area of 55, 355 hectares :
1)Tasik Bera
2)Pulau Kukup
3)Sungai Pulai
4)Tanjung Piai
5)Kuching Wetlands National Park
Tasik Bera

Wetlands designation date : 10.11.1994

Coordinates: 02°58'N 102°36'E
Area: 38,446 ha
Elevation: 30 m - 35 m
Location : Bera District, Pahang Darul Makmur, Peninsular Malaysia

Criteria : 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

Known Human Uses:

The site and the surrounding buffer zone are owned by the provincial
government. It is used for agricultural purposes, fisheries and collection of
natural products. The surroundings are used for Government-owned plantation
schemes, cattle grazing and forestry.
Biological/Ecological notes:
-374 plant species of which 10 species are known to be endemic to Peninsular
Malaysia
-A total of 68 species of mammals have been recorded at Tasek Bera, and bird
species include Anthracoceros malayanus, Rhinoplax vigil, Ichthyophaga
ichthyaetus, Treron capellei, Malacopteron albogulare, Trichastoma rostratum and
Platysmurus leucopterus. The rare crocodile Tomistoma schlegelii may remain in
small numbers and two vulnerable tortoise species occur. In Tasek Bera threatened
mammals include Elephas maximus, Cynogale bennettii, Tapirus indicus, Macaca
nemestrina, Neofelis nebulosa, Prionailurus planiceps, Lutra perspicillata, L.
sumatrana, Aonyx cinerea, Panthera pardus and P. tigris.
-Threatened bird species recorded include Leptoptilos javanicus, Lophura ignita, L.
erythrophthalma and Aceros corrugatus, and
-Tasek Bera supports a high diversity of fish species, 94 have been recorded and
the majority of species are indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia. Mass migrations of
fish are known to local residents at Tasek Bera, suggesting that the wetland may be
significant in providing habitat for part of the life cycle of fish living in the River
Pahang system. Threatened fish include Scleropages formosus and
Balantiocheilus melanopterus (last recorded here in 1969).
Conservation Measures:
Tasek Bera was nominated as Malaysia’s first Ramsar Site in 1994. No
development has been permitted within the Ramsar Site area except for the
establishment of tourism facilities. The site has been included in the Bera District
Structure Plan as an area for conservation and tourism purposes only, and its
buffer zone identified for environmental protection and restricted development. A
three-year project to support Malaysia in meeting its obligations under the Ramsar
Convention was signed with Denmark in 1995 through establishing the integrated
management of Tasek Bera. This project commenced in June 1996, with the aim
of conserving the biodiversity of Tasek Bera and its catchment area. Wetlands
International Asia Pacific is providing technical assistance to the Pahang State
Government in implementing the project. In 1998, the State Government had
frozen all applications for development projects within the Ramsar Site and in its
buffer zone pending the completion the site management plan. As of 1998, the
area receives routine monitoring and enforcement attention from fisheries,
forestry and wildlife department personnel, and channel clearance is contracted
out annually by the Drainage and Irrigation Department to local people.
Pulau Kukup

Wetlands designation date : 31.01.2003

Coordinates: 01°19'N 103°25'E
Area: 647 ha
Elevation: 0 m
Location : Pontian District, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia
Criteria : 1, 2, 3

Known Human Uses:

The site and its surroundings are owned by the state. Some fishing and tourism
activities take place within Pulau Kukup and the government has further plans to
promote ecotourism. Research on the mangrove ecosystem is carried out by
universities and migratory waterbird counts are done by NGOs. Conservation
education is based on local knowledge, complemented by the visitor centre of
Tanjung Piai State Park (Ramsar Site #1289). Nature interpretation facilities are
planned at the site. The surrounding coastal straits between Pulau Kukup and
the mainland are a thriving industry for marine cage culture which depends on
the island as natural shelter. The mudflats are rich with shellfish and provide
food and income to local people. Ship naviagation and further marine fisheries
are ongoing in the site's catchment. Kukup Town benefits from tourism, e.g.
offering seafood restaurants, accomodation, and boat tours. Agriculture exists
on the outskirts.
Biological/Ecological notes:
- Pulau Kukup represents a unique example of a mangrove island being one of the
few intact sites of this rare vegetation type left in southeast Asia.
-The wetland supports species such as the Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus, Smooth
Otter Lutra perspicillata, Bearded Pig Sus barbatus, Long-tailed Macaque Macaca
fascicularis, all listed as threatened, vulnerable or near-threatened under the IUCN
Red List, and all, except Sus barbatus, in the CITES list. The site has been
identified as one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Malaysia for migrants from
North Asia and Russia. Globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus
chooses the site as a stop-over, feeding and breeding ground. Numerous waders
and shorebirds inhabit the vicinity representing an estimated 20% of the Malaysian
population. The Pulau Kukup mangrove forest hosts 18 true mangrove species
representing a very high regional biodiversity compared to the island's size.
-Mangroves, creeks and intertidal mudflats are the main habitats that occur in
Pulau Kukup and can be grouped into 8 vegetation zones. The mudflats
surrounding the island are used by birds as feeding ground. The mangroves host a
specific flora adapted to the hostile marine conditions. They are essential for the
food chain providing nutrition for many fish species and waterbirds, and they act as
nurseries for marine life.
Conservation Measures:
The site is designated as State Park since 1997. The development of a
management plan has been agreed between the different management
authorities. Pulau Kukup will be conserved and protected as a Ramsar Site,
primarily for scientific research, and conservation and wise use of marine
biodiversity and resources.
Sungai Pulai

Wetlands designation date : 31.01.2003

Coordinates: 01°23'N 103°32'E
Area: 9,126 ha
Elevation: 0 m
Location : Pontian District, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia
Criteria : 1, 2, 3

Known Human Uses:

The site and its surroundings are owned by the state. Some fishing and tourism
activities take place within Pulau Kukup and the government has further plans to
promote ecotourism. Research on the mangrove ecosystem is carried out by
universities and migratory waterbird counts are done by NGOs. Conservation
education is based on local knowledge, complemented by the visitor centre of
Tanjung Piai State Park (Ramsar Site #1289). Nature interpretation facilities are
planned at the site. The surrounding coastal straits between Pulau Kukup and
the mainland are a thriving industry for marine cage culture which depends on
the island as natural shelter. The mudflats are rich with shellfish and provide
food and income to local people. Ship naviagation and further marine fisheries
are ongoing in the site's catchment. Kukup Town benefits from tourism, e.g.
offering seafood restaurants, accomodation, and boat tours. Agriculture exists
on the outskirts.
Biological/Ecological notes:
-Sungai Pulai is a typical representative of a tidal dominated estuarine mangrove
swamp. It is assumed to be the largest and most intact riverine mangrove system in
West Malaysia. There are four main vegetation types present: Avicennia,
Rhizophora-Bruguiera and Luminitzera-Scyphiphora forests, as well as dryland
mangroves. Mangrove species include Avicennia lanata, Bruguiera sexangula and
Podocarpus polystachus; they are in a healthy condition and reproduce well. The
surroundings are dominated by extensive low lying wetlands with mangrove
swamps, mudflats and an isolated mountain peak.
-The lowland tropical river basin supports a rich biodiversity, e.g. 24 mangrove
species, 21 mangrove associated species, and 7 amphibian, 12 reptile, 55 bird, 26
mammal and 111 fish species, some species being IUCN red-listed.
-The tall mangrove trees are important nesting sites for the Grey Heron, Brahminy
Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Little Egret and presumably the
Lesser Adjutant. Five migratory bird species rest and feed in the mudflats while
enroute the East Asian-Australasian Migratory Flyway : the Great White Egret,
Pacific Golden Plover, Common Greenshank, Common Kingfisher and Black-
capped Kingfisher.
Near-threatened or vulnerable mammals includes the Long-tailed and Pig-tailed
Macaque, Smooth Otter, Bearded Pig, Common Porcupine, Scaly Anteater, the
rare Flat-headed Cat occur, as well as the near-threatened birds Mangrove Pitta,
Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and Mangrove Whistler. Relatively undisturbed parts
including the Nipa swamps may be nesting sites of the Estuarine Crocodile.
-The site supports a significant number of aquatic species (111 fish, 22 shellfish, 3
crab and 15 penaeid prawn species) in different life-history stages as it is an ideal
fish and prawn nursery and feeding ground. Some marine crabs require mangrove
stilt, prop roots and mudflats; shellfish require the soft mud of the mangrove forest
floor; and some young fish and prawns require the estuary's brackish water, shelter
and food. Four prawn species and the catfish eel Plotosus canius migrate from the
upper part to the estuary and finally spawn in the open sea. Fish species of high
economic value include Epinephalus tauvina, Lates calarifer, Lutjanus
argentimaculatus, L. johnii, Polynemus indicus, Eleutheronoma tetradactylum,
Pampus argenteus and Pomadasys hasta. All the 15 prawn species may be
considered species of commercial importance.

Conservation Measures:
The site is designated as Forest Reserve and managed in line with an Integrated
Management Plan for the sustainable use of mangroves in Johor state.
Tanjung Piai

Wetlands designation date : 31.01.2003

Coordinates: 01°16'N 103°31'E
Area: 526 ha
Elevation: 0 m
Location : Pontian District, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia
Criteria : 2, 8

Known Human Uses:

The site is owned by the state; its surroundings are privately owned. Around 6
villages are located at the site's fringe which depend on the mangrove
resources, especially on fisheries. Eco-tourism activities include a visitor centre
with interpretative boardwalks, bird watching, guided tours (e.g. for school
children), a World Wetlands Day programme. The Tanjung Piai Resort provides
floating chalets, seafood restaurants, as well as boat rides. Research also takes
place. The catchment area is used for agriculture and habitation.
Biological/Ecological notes:
-Main habitats are coastal mangroves which buffer the hinterland and are
dissected by 5 small rivers, and 400 ha of mudflats. The species' diversity and
abundance is relatively high. A vegetation zonation occurs with an Avicennia-
Sonneratia community on the seaward sediments with soft, deep mud, and
Rhizophora-Bruguiera forests on firmer soils. Noteworthy are the 20 true
mangrove- and 9 mangrove associated-species.
-Tanjung Piai supports many threatened, near threatened and vulnerable wetland-
dependent species such as the Macaques Macaca nemestrina and M.
fascicularis.The Scaly Anteater, Common Porcupine, Smooth Otter and Bearded
Pig are classified as vulnerable or near threatened listed in the IUCN Red Book
2000. Many fish and penaeid prawn species rely on the site. The small estuaries
are used as feeding and nursery ground which is essential for marine life of the
Straits of Melaka and for local fishermen.
-Birds include the raptors Brahminy Kite, Osprey and Crested Serpent-eagle, as
well as 8 species of waders and shorebirds. Threatened, near threatened and
vulnerable wetland-dependent species of birds includes Mangrove Pitta,
Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Mangrove Whistler, Malaysian Plover Charadrius
peronii, Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus, and Spoon-billed
Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. The Chinese Crested Tern Sterna
bernsteini is critically endangered. Globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant Leptotilos
javanicus may be observed in the vicinity of the site.
-Juvenile fish dominate the catch in the four main rivers. Adults of commercially
valuable fish are the Sea Bass Lates calcarifer, Snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus
and L. johni, threadfins Polynemus indicus and Eleutheronema tetradactylum,
Tarpon Megalops cyprinoides, White Pomphret Pampus argenteus and Head
Grunter Pomadasys hasta. Other common species include the Catfish Arius spp.,
Plotosus spp., Mullets Liza spp. and Jewfish/sciaenids. Most abundant are the
Clupeids (Anodontostoma chacunda, Ilisha megaloptera), Ambassids, Engraulids
(Stolephorus, Thryssa, Anchovies) and Leiognatids, which serve as food for large
carnivores such as Sea Basses and Snappers. Sonneratia fireflies attract visitors.

Conservation Measures:
The site has been designated as a State Park. Management focusses on tourism
and conservation. A management plan is planned
Kuching Wetlands National Park

Wetlands designation date : 8.11.2005

Coordinates: 01°41'N 110°14'E
Area: 6,610 ha
Elevation: 0 m
Location : Kuching, East Malaysia

Known Human Uses:

The area is historically important: there was a Chinese settlement there probably
as early as the 1st century AD, and early Malay, Hindu and Buddhist relics from
the 9th century AD have been excavated at Santubong Village. The discovery of
gold made the area an important trading and iron mining centre from the 7th to
13th centuries; some enigmatic rock carvings of human figures remain from this
period. In the 15th century, Santubong was the site of the original Brunei Malay
capital of Sarawak. Its proximity to the city of Kuching, the Damai resort
complex, and two other national parks renders it of high potential value for
tourism, education and recreation..
Biological/Ecological notes:
-A saline mangrove system with flora comprising predominantly the genera
Rhizophora, Avicennia and Sonneratia.
-The site harbours such noteworthy species as Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus
porosus, Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus (endemic to Borneo and listed as
'Endangered', IUCN Red List), Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus ('Vulnerable'),
and Griffith's Silver Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus villosus.
-The site has value as a breeding and nursery ground for fish and prawn species -
43 families of fishes and 11 species of prawns have been recorded, many of which
are commercially important.
Thank
you