Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14)

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Environmental Preservation

Source: DTE

 Context: The Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14) concluded on February 17, 2024 (in Samarkand, Uzbekistan) with parties agreeing to adopt listing proposals for 14 migratory species and several other resolutions for global wildlife conservation.

What is CMS? 

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) (enforced since 1983; HQ: Bonn (Germany), also known as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty of the United Nations (UNEP provides support) that provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory animals and their habitats. It has 133 members including India. It consists of two appendices:

1. Appendix I (migratory species that are in danger of extinction)
2. Appendix II(Migratory species that will benefit from conservation)

Major outcomes of COP 14 of CMS:

Significance of Migratory Species:

Migratory species play a crucial role in ecosystems, offering essential services that mitigate climate change impacts and enhance resilience to climatic hazards. Examples include whales aiding nutrient transfer and storing carbon, and antelopes reducing wildfire risks through grazing. Climate change poses severe threats to migratory species, impacting their habitats, migration patterns, and reproductive success

Initiatives taken by India:

1. National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Birds (2018-2023): India launched this plan to address challenges faced by migratory birds, including habitat loss, hunting, pollution, and climate change.
   1. Goals include stopping bird decline by 2027, promoting transboundary cooperation, and improving the database on migratory birds.
2. Conservation of marine turtles: India launched the Marine Turtle Policy and Marine Stranding Management Policy in 2020 to protect marine turtles and reduce pollution from micro-plastic and single-use plastic.
3. Transboundary protected areas: India established protected areas for species like Tigers, Asian elephants, Snow Leopard, the Asiatic Lion, the one-horned rhinoceros, and the Great Indian Bustard.
4. Project Snow Leopard (PSL): Launched in 2009, PSL promotes an inclusive approach to conserving snow leopards and their habitat.
5. Dugong Conservation Reserve: India established its first Dugong conservation reserve in Tamil Nadu.
6. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: The act provides stringent punishments for violating wildlife protection laws and includes migratory birds in Schedule I for the highest protection.
7. Other initiatives: India imposed a ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac to conserve vultures, established Vulture breeding centres, and set up the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to control illegal wildlife trade.

Definitions:

Migratory Species: Wild animals that cyclically and predictably cross national boundaries. This includes any part of the population.

Central Asian Flyway (CAF): A major migratory route covering 30 countries from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean, hosting over 400 species of migratory birds.

Flyways: Areas used by birds during their annual cycle, including breeding, stopover, and wintering areas. There are nine major flyways globally identified by the CMS Secretariat.

Insta Links:

 Climate change and migratory species

Prelims Links: