The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is likely to be included in the global list of top 10 migratory species facing extinction under the UNEP’s Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) of Wild Animals, the environment ministry has announced.

The step would be taken at the 13th conference of parties (COP13) to be hosted by India from February 15 to 22, which will help in protecting and conserving the Great Indian Bustard.

What is CMS?

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 kilometres for some migratory birds and mammals. A migratory route can involve nesting and also requires the availability of habitats before and after each migration.

In order to protect the migratory species throughout their range countries, a Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has been in force under the aegis of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). 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.

The convention complements and cooperates with a number of international organisations, NGOs and partners in the media as well as in the corporate sector. Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I and parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them. Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international cooperation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention.

India and the CMS

India has been a signatory to the CMS since 1983. The government has been taking necessary actions to protect and conserve migratory marine species. Seven species that include dugong, whale shark and marine turtle (two species) have been identified for preparation of Conservation and Recovery Action Plan.

India is home to several migratory species of wildlife including snow leopard, Amur falcons, bar-headed Geese, black-necked cranes, marine turtles, dugongs and humpback whales and has signed non legally binding MoU with the CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian cranes (1998), marine turtles (2007), dugongs (2008) and raptors (2016).

CMS parties strive towards strictly protecting these species, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them.

The Indian subcontinent is also part of the major bird flyway network - the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) - which covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans, and covers at least 279 populations of 182 migratory water bird species, including 29 globally threatened species. India has also launched the National Action Plan for conservation of migratory species under the Central Asian Flyway.

What are the objectives of COP13?

CMS COP13 will be held in Gandhinagar in Gujarat, which will see the participation of more than 130 countries and 1,800 individuals.

The theme of COP13 is ‘migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home’ and its mascot is the Great Indian Bustard.

Great Indian Bustards are dying at the rate of 15 per cent annually due to collision with high-voltage power lines. Their present population is nearly 150, reduced by 75 per cent in the past 30 years.

“In this COP, India is proposing three species for inclusion in the CMS Appendix and for concerted action. The three species are Asiatic Elephant, Great Indian Bustard and Bengal Florican. In addition to these, India is also proposing Gangetic Dolphin and Irrawaddy Dolphins for concerted action,” said an official from the environment ministry.

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