Ramsar Site Management Plan

What should the signatory countries do under the Ramsar Convention?

Apart from caring for wetlands, which have been designated Ramsar Sites, each signatory country also has to try to conserve other wetlands in their country. Under Article 3 of the Convention, governments are obliged to "..include wetland conservation considerations within their national land-use planning. They are required to formulate and implement this planning so as to promote, as far as possible, the "wise use of wetlands in their territory".

In order to implement the "wise use" concept, governments are urged to develop National Wetland Policies in consultation with the local people. Governments should also set up a National Wetland Committee to coordinate decisions on wetland use. Under the 'wise use' concept, human activity can be allowed in a Ramsar site, e.g. for fish farming, low intensity recreation etc., as long as the use is sustainable.