The Treaty Protecting Obligations Of International Important Wetlands And The Application In China

The wetland is known as the kidney of the earth.Wetlands of International Importance have huge environmental functions and ecological benefits.In order to strengthen the international cooperation and protection of wetland resources,the Convention on Wetlands of Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat was signed in 1971 and entered into force in 1975.It currently has 171 contracting parties,and becomes the most influential intergovernmental multilateral convention in the field of wetland protection in the world.Based on the huge economic,cultural,scientific,and recreational value of wetlands,the convention proposed measures the protection of List of Wetlands of International Importance.Since the China joined the Wetland Convention in 1992,the Chinese government has taken proactive actions in responding to the reduction of wetland area and degradation of ecological functions.Besides a comprehensive wetland legislative protection system,China has established Wetland National Nature Reserves management system,and designated 57 international important wetlands.However,due to the inadequate handling of the relationship between the protection and utilization of wetland resources in economic development,the wetland ecological restoration technology and financial support need to be improved,important international wetland resources are still seriously threatened and damaged,and the legal system and management mechanism for wetland protection need to be improved.Strengthening the legislative protection of important international wetlands is not only an inevitable requirement to strengthen ability to implement the Wetland Convention and assume international responsibilities,but also a key link to protect the wetland resources and biodiversity in China and strengthen the construction of ecological civilization.Based on the perspective of Environmental Justice,this article analyzes the international law rules of internationally important wetland protection established by the Convention,summarizes the application and deficiencies of related rules in China,and proposes improvements based on the practical experience of the Convention.Based on the concept of ecological protection,wetlands are of great significance in maintaining biodiversity,ecosystem balance,mitigating climate change,improving the ecological environment,and promoting human economic and social development.