A number of protected areas have been established in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and these provide an important basis for conservation. The types of protected areas range from National Parks, which can be used for some types of leisure activities to Sanctuaries which can be visited only with a permit. Many of the protected areas are wetlands, and the North, Middle and East Caicos Nature Reserve is also designated as a Ramsar site. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. |