Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
Why in News?
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, is in the news because the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) concluded on 29 March 2026 in Campo Grande, Brazil. The summit addressed a "growing biodiversity crisis" with significant new protections for dozens of species.
Key Information
- Definition: An intergovernmental treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established to conserve terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory species.
- Establishment: Signed in 1979 in Bonn, West Germany; it came into force in 1983.
- Membership: Currently has 133 Parties (as of early 2026), including India, which joined in 1983.
Major Initiatives
- Launched the Global Initiative on the Taking of Migratory Species (GTI) to combat illegal and unsustainable hunting and trade.
- Adopted a new Marine Flyway Framework to safeguard coastal ecosystems for migratory birds.
- Approved a multi-species conservation plan for Amazonian Migratory Catfish.
The Appendices
- Appendix I: Lists endangered migratory species that require strict protection (e.g., prohibition of taking/hunting).
- Appendix II: Lists species with an unfavourable conservation status that require international cooperation through tailored agreements.
India’s Role
- India is home to several key migratory species like the Amur Falcon, Great Indian Bustard, and Dugong.
- It recently hosted COP13 (2020) in Gandhinagar and plays a vital role in the Central Asian Flyway.
Recent Conservation Challenges
- Habitat Loss: Fragmentation of migration routes due to agriculture and infrastructure development.
- Climate Change: Shifts in migration timing and loss of critical resting/breeding spots.
- Overexploitation: Excessive hunting, fishing bycatch, and illegal wildlife trade.
- Emerging Threats: Light pollution, underwater noise from deep-sea mining, and diseases like H5N1 Avian Influenza.
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