Chapter 15 · Topic 15.1 · Prelims + Mains1 of 2
Current Environment: COP, Ramsar and parks
Key points
- COP30, COP31 and IPCC.
- Ramsar, parks and species.
Prelims box: facts and traps
- Species in news: Project Cheetah began at Kuno National Park in September 2022 and extended to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in 2025.
- Measured count: India’s Ramsar site tally reached 103 on 15 October 2026, when Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) were added.
- India joined the Ramsar Convention in 1982; its first sites were Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park (1981).
- COP31 is due at Antalya, Türkiye, on 9–20 November 2026, with Türkiye as host and Australia as President of negotiations, and a Pacific island country hosting the pre-COP.
- Trap (UPSC Prelims 2026, Madhav National Park): “Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan” is incorrect.
- Trap (UPSC Prelims 2019): “Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India” is incorrect. “The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention” is incorrect.
Climate talks: COP30, COP31 and IPCC
This is a current-affairs feed, refreshed as events happen. Measured data (counts, survey results) are kept apart from targets and plans.
COP30 was held at Belém, Brazil, on 10–22 November 2025. Its political package, the ‘Global Mutirão’, called for at least tripling adaptation finance by 2035 (a target) and set up a Global Implementation Accelerator. COP31 is due at Antalya, Türkiye, on 9–20 November 2026, with Türkiye as host and Australia as President of negotiations, and a Pacific island country hosting the pre-COP.
UPSC Prelims 2025 asked about the COP28 ‘Declaration on Climate and Health ’, which India refrained from signing. The key point: the declaration is not binding, so signing would not have made decarbonising the health sector mandatory.
Consider the following statements : Statement I : At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the ‘Declaration on Climate and Health’. Statement II : The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector. Statement III : If India’s health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
- Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Show answer
Answer: (c) · UPSC official key
IPCC: the Seventh Assessment cycle (AR7) is under way; a Special Report on Climate Change and Cities is planned for 2027 (a plan, not yet published).
Ramsar sites, parks and species in news
Measured count: India’s Ramsar site tally reached 103 on 15 October 2026, when Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) were added. India joined the Ramsar Convention in 1982; its first sites were Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park (1981).
UPSC Prelims 2019 tested the link between the Ramsar Convention and Indian law. The Convention does not make it mandatory to protect every wetland in India; the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands. These were replaced by the Wetlands Rules, 2017.
Consider the following statements : 1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India. 2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention. 3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) · UPSC official key
UPSC Prelims 2026 asked: With reference to Madhav National Park, which statements are correct? Madhav (Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh) was declared a tiger reserve in March 2025, and Sakhya Sagar, a Ramsar site since 2022, lies within it; the park is not shared with Rajasthan. The answer key used here is provisional.
With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park. 3. Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Select the answer using the code given below :
- 1 only
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (b) · UPSC provisional key (final key awaited)
Species in news: Project Cheetah began at Kuno National Park in September 2022 and extended to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in 2025. Track the IUCN Red List status, habitat and state of any species before the exam.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Measured data (counts, survey results) are kept apart from targets and plans.
- COP30 was held at Belém, Brazil, on 10–22 November 2025.
- UPSC Prelims 2025 asked about the COP28 ‘Declaration on Climate and Health ’, which India refrained from signing.
- Likely next angle: Binding vs voluntary pledges
Practice
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Current Environment with one recent example.
Flashcards (13)
COP30 venue and dates?
Belém, Brazil, 10–22 Nov 2025.
COP30 political package?
Global Mutirão.
Adaptation finance target?
At least triple by 2035.
COP31 venue?
Antalya, Türkiye, Nov 2026.
COP31 negotiations president?
Australia.
COP28 health declaration binding?
No.
IPCC cities report?
Planned for 2027.
India’s Ramsar count (Oct 2026)?
103.
Newest Ramsar sites?
Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel.
India joined Ramsar?
1982.
Wetlands Rules 2010 replaced by?
Wetlands Rules, 2017.
Madhav tiger reserve year?
2025.
Ramsar site in Madhav NP?
Sakhya Sagar.
Read more: related explainers
In the news
- 22 Oct 2026GRAP Stage I invoked in Delhi-NCR as AQI turns ‘Poor’: the 25 actions and what comes next
- 20 Oct 2026National Red List of birds: 1,211 species under assessment, 107 done in first review
- 16 Oct 2026CAQM orders PTZ cameras at all polluting industries in NCR by 30 November 2026
- 15 Oct 2026Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel become Ramsar sites; India’s tally reaches 103
Next topic · 15.2 →Current Environment: Reports: Living Planet, forests, biodiversity andSyllabus: GS-III · Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact asse…