Syllabus: GS-III: Conservation

Why in the news?

Conservationists, researchers, and forest officials in Assam have urged the government to declare the Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex, as a Ramsar Site. If approved, it will become Assam’s second Ramsar Site after Deepor Beel — strengthening the state’s global recognition for wetland conservation.

Ecological Significance of Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex

• Located within the Laokhowa–Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kaziranga–Orang landscape. 
• The Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland forms an interconnected floodplain-marsh system supporting rich biodiversity.
• It plays an important role in enhancing the ecological balance of the Brahmaputra floodplain.
• It plays a vital role as a connectivity corridor for wildlife movement between Kaziranga National Park and Orang National Park, ensuring genetic diversity and ecosystem balance.
• The 6th Kaziranga Wetland Bird Census 2025 (including Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland), recorded 47,000+ birds from 120 species, surpassing bird counts at Deepor Beel.
  • Including rare and globally threatened species such as the Knob-billed Duck, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black-necked Stork, Ferruginous Pochard, and Common Pochard.
• The complex also provides critical ecosystem services like flood regulation, groundwater recharge, carbon storage, and livelihood support through fishing and ecotourism.
• The site fulfills eight of the nine Ramsar criteria, qualifying it as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

About the Ramsar Convention

• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
• India became a signatory to the Convention in 1982.
• The Convention defines wetlands broadly, including lakes, marshes, peatlands, rivers, floodplains, mangroves, coral reefs, and man-made water bodies like reservoirs and ponds.
• As of October 2025, India has 93 Ramsar Sites, (Sunderban being the largest) covering over 4.6 million hectares, making it one of the top countries in wetland conservation.
• Ramsar Sites in Northeast India (as of 2025):
  • Deepor Beel – Assam (designated in 2002)
  • Loktak Lake – Manipur (1990)
  • Rudrasagar Lake – Tripura (2005)
  • Pala Wetland – Mizoram (2021)

If approved, Rowmari–Donduwa will be Assam’s 2nd Ramsar Site and Northeast India’s 5th.

Criteria for Designation as a Ramsar Site

A wetland qualifies as a Ramsar Site if it meets at least one of the following nine criteria:

1. It contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural wetland type.
2. It supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species.
3. It supports populations of plant/animal species important for maintaining biodiversity.
4. It supports plant/animal species at critical stages of their life cycles (breeding, migration).
5. It supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
6. It regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of a waterbird species.
7. It supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish species.
8. It is an important source of food, spawning ground, nursery, or migration path for fish.
9. It regularly supports 1% of the population of a non-avian animal species dependent on wetlands.

The Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland fulfills eight of these nine criteria, including criteria 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Why Assam Needs a Second Ramsar Site?

• Despite having 3,513 wetlands and waterbodies, covering about 101,230 hectares, Assam currently has only one Ramsar Site — Deepor Beel.
  • Of its total wetland about 3000 are natural.
• Designating Rowmari–Donduwa will:
  • Strengthen wetland conservation and management in the Brahmaputra valley.
  • Enhance global recognition and funding support for biodiversity protection.
  • Promote eco-tourism, sustainable livelihoods, and wetland-based education for local youth and researchers.
  • Complement ongoing Kaziranga–Orang landscape restoration efforts under the state’s Integrated Wetland Management Framework.

Challenges and Way Forward

• Maladaption, Encroachment, siltation, and human-wildlife conflict threaten the wetland’s stability.
• Conservation experts call for:
  • Scientific mapping and regular biodiversity assessment.
  • Strengthening community-based conservation models involving local villagers.
  • Integrating Rowmari–Donduwa under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA).
  • Enhancing coordination between Forest, Tourism, and Environment departments for long-term protection.

Exam Hook: Key Take-aways

• Ramsar Convention (1971) aims to conserve wetlands of international importance; India joined in 1982.
• World Wetlands Day (2 Feb 2025) theme: “Wetlands and Human Well-being.”
• Assam currently has one Ramsar Site (Deepor Beel, 2002); Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex could become its second.
• The site fulfills 8 of 9 Ramsar criteria and supports 47,000+ birds from 120 species.
• Strengthening wetland protection aligns with India’s National Wetland Conservation Programme and Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land).

UPSC/APSC Mains Question:
“Discuss the ecological and conservation importance of the Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex and evaluate its potential as Assam’s second Ramsar Site in the context of the Ramsar Convention and World Wetlands Day 2025.”

One-line wrap:
The Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland stands poised to become Assam’s second Ramsar Site — a milestone that will safeguard its biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and reaffirm India’s global wetland commitment.

https://epaper.assamtribune.com/full-page-pdf/epaper/pdf/2025/11/01/the-assam-tribune/7242