13th COP on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of wild animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme was hosted by India from 17th to 22nd February 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
The theme of CMS COP13 in India was, “Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home”. In the logo of CMS COP-13, Kolam (a traditional art form from southern India) was used to depict key migratory species in India like Amur falcon, humpback whale and marine turtles.
The mascot for CMS COP13, “Gibi - The Great Indian Bustard” is a critically endangered species that has been accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e., the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans, and covers at least 279 populations of 182 migratory waterbird species, including 29 globally threatened species.
Migratory Species and related Convention
Migratory species are those animals that move from one habitat to another during different times of the year, due to various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc. The movement between habitats can sometimes exceed thousands of miles/kilometres for some migratory birds and mammals.
In order to protect the migratory species throughout their range countries, a Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), has been in force, under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme. Also referred to as the Bonn Convention, it provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats and brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.
Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinctionare listed on Appendix I and migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention.
India and Migratory Birds Convention
India has been a Party to the CMS since 1983. India has also signed a non-legally binding MoU with CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016).
India is a temporary home to several migratory animals and birds. The important among these include Amur Falcons, Bar-headed geese, Black-necked cranes, Marine turtles, Dugongs, Humpbacked Whales, etc.
Asian Elephant, Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican included in UN Wildlife Conservation List
India’s proposal to include great Indian bustard, Asian elephant and Bengal florican in Appendix I of UN Convention on Migratory Species was unanimously accepted at 13th CoPCMS in Gandhinagar, Gujarat (India).
Asian Elephant: The Government of India has declared the Indian elephant as National Heritage Animal. The Indian elephant is also provided with the highest degree of legal protection by listing it in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.Placing Indian elephant in Schedule I of the CMS Convention, will fulfill the natural urge of migration of Indian elephant across India’s borders and back safely and thereby promote conservation of this endangered species for our future generations. The challenges confronting Asian elephant conservation in most elephant Range States are habitat loss and fragmentation, human-elephant conflict, and poaching and illegal trade of elephants.
Great Indian Bustard: The Great Indian Bustard, an iconic, critically endangered and conservation-dependent species, exhibits trans-boundary movements, and its migration exposes it to threats such as hunting in the boundary area of Pakistan-India and power-line collisions in India. The Great Indian Bustard is a Critically Endangered species with a small population of about 100–150 individuals that is largely restricted to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. Their population has reduced by 90% within 50 years (six generations), and their threats are expected to increase in future.
Bengal Florican: The Bengal Florican, an iconic, critically endangered species of topmost conservation priority, exhibits trans-boundary movements, and its migration exposes it to threats such as land-use changes, collision with power transmission line at the boundary area of India-Nepal and probable power-line collisions. Inclusion of the species in Appendix I of CMS will aid in trans-boundary conservation efforts facilitated by International conservation bodies and existing international laws and agreement.
