With reference to a conservation organization called 'Wetlands International', which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1.It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to Ramsar Convention.
- 2.It works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. Wetlands International is an independent, non-governmental conservation organisation. It grew out of waterbird and wetland research bodies whose work began in 1937, and it was not created by the countries that signed the Ramsar Convention. Its own description of how it works matches statement 2 almost word for word.
- ✗ 1. Wetlands International is an NGO. Its roots go back to the International Wildfowl Inquiry of 1937, long before the Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971. Bird and wetland bureaus from Europe, Asia and the Americas built a working relationship that evolved into a single global organisation. That organisation took the name Wetlands International and set up its headquarters in the Netherlands in 1996. Its membership includes governments and NGOs alike. It is a partner of the Ramsar Convention, not an intergovernmental body formed by Ramsar parties.
- ✓ 2. The organisation describes its method in exactly these terms. It works at the field level to develop and mobilise knowledge. It then uses that practical experience to advocate for better policies.
Remember · Wetlands International is an NGO network, not an intergovernmental body. It moves from field-level work to policy advocacy. It is a Ramsar partner, not a Ramsar creation.
Sources
- Wetlands International – About Us (Eastern Africa office) ↗ · reference work “We work at the field level to develop and mobilise knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.”
- Wetlands International – About Us (global) ↗ · reference work “This working relationship evolved into a single global organisation, which adopted the name Wetlands International and established its headquarters in the Netherlands in 1996. … We are strengthened by our government and NGO membership and associate experts.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2014, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
