UPSC Mains 2023 GS3 Q17 — Wetland Conservation
Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India's wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Comment onname
- Scope keywords
- National Wetland Conservation ProgrammeGovernment of Indiawetlands of international importanceRamsar Sites
- Implicit sub-parts
- Evolution and merger of NWCP into the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA).
- Key objectives and achievements of the NWCP in terms of management and biodiversity conservation.
- Critical evaluation of why certain wetlands still face degradation despite the programme.
- Geographical spread and ecological significance of specific named Ramsar sites.
- Common pitfalls
- Listing too many Ramsar sites without providing the 'Comment' analysis on the programme itself.
- Failing to mention that NWCP was merged with the National Lake Conservation Plan to form the NPCA in 2013.
- Treating 'Comment' as a simple description instead of evaluating the effectiveness and challenges of the programme.
- Vague naming of sites (e.g., 'wetlands in Kerala') instead of specific names like 'Vembanad-Kol' or 'Ashtamudi'.
- Dimensions required
- Institutional/Regulatory FrameworkEcological/Environmental ImpactGlobal-Local Linkages (Ramsar obligations)Financial and Administrative Challenges
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate roughly 150 words to the 'Comment' section by evaluating the NWCP/NPCA framework, its successes, and its limitations. Dedicate 50-70 words to naming and briefly describing 4-5 diverse Ramsar sites (e.g., one from high altitude, one coastal, one inland). Use the remaining 30 words for a forward-looking conclusion on the 2017 Wetland Rules.
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