If a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?

Answer: (a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference

The Montreux Record is a register kept within the Ramsar List. It flags Ramsar sites whose ecological character has changed, is changing or is likely to change because of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. Option (a) states exactly this.

• ✓ (a) This is the definition of the Montreux Record. It highlights wetlands of international importance that face immediate challenges, so that priority conservation attention can be directed to them.
• ✗ (b) The Montreux Record does not require a national law or a five-kilometre no-activity buffer. Listing is a voluntary mechanism that highlights a site's problems.
• ✗ (c) The Record is based on changes in ecological character, not on the cultural practices or traditions of nearby communities.
• ✗ (d) World Heritage status comes under a different treaty, UNESCO's World Heritage Convention. A Montreux Record listing is a warning flag, not an honour.

Remember · Montreux Record = the part of the Ramsar List for sites with adverse ecological change, actual or likely, from human interference. It is a voluntary alert, not a legal ban and not a World Heritage tag.

Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2014, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). · Report an error