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.

Statement 2 is correct, so the answer is B. Wetlands International is a non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in Ede, Netherlands. It was formed in 1995 through the merger of the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau and the Asian Wetland Bureau. It works at the field level on wetland restoration and waterbird monitoring, turns that data into knowledge, and uses the practical experience to push for better wetland policy.

Statement 1 is wrong. An intergovernmental organization is created by states through a treaty or formal agreement. Wetlands International is an NGO and was not formed by the signatories to the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention (adopted 1971, in force 1975) is the intergovernmental treaty, with its secretariat at Gland, Switzerland. The two are often mentioned together, but they are different kinds of bodies.

Core concept: distinguishing treaty-based intergovernmental bodies from civil society organizations. This sits under Environment and International Organizations in the syllabus and helps in Mains answers on wetland governance, where NGOs supplement state commitments under Ramsar.

Trap: assuming any organization linked to Ramsar must be intergovernmental, and rejecting statement 2 because the name sounds official.