Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) agreement was signed in Bonn, West Germany, in 1979, and it became operative in 1983. There are 131 member states of the convention as of September 2020. The Federal Republic of Germany's government serves as the depositary. The deal, which was sealed by the United Nations Environment Programme, aims to conserve wildlife and their habitats on a global basis.

The CMS is the first international, United Nations-based organization created specifically for the protection and management of migratory terrestrial, aquatic, and avian species. The strategic plans, action plans, resolutions, decisions, and guidelines of the CMS and its daughter agreements establish policies and offer additional direction on certain concerns.

Fundamental Principles of Convention

Article 2 of the agreement outlines its fundamental principles. The parties recognize the significance of protecting migratory species, and range states commit to doing so "whenever possible and appropriate," "paying special attention to migratory species whose conservation status is unfavourable, and taking individually or cooperatively appropriate and necessary steps to conserve such species and their habitat." The parties "acknowledge" (but do not commit in stronger language, cf. Art. 2(3), "must") "the need to take action to avoid any migratory species becoming endangered" in accordance with Article 2(2) further.

Article 2(3) of the convention states that the parties −

• Should promote, cooperate in, and support research relating to migratory species;

• Shall endeavour to provide immediate protection for migratory species included in Appendix I; and (c) shall endeavor to conclude agreements covering the conservation and management of migratory species included in Appendix II.

Species coverage

There is a wide variety of migratory species included in the CMS family. Many mammals, including terrestrial, marine, and bat mammals, as well as birds, fish, reptiles, and one insect, are included in the appendices of CMS. Among the tools, AEWA addresses 254 bird species that depend on wetlands for at least a portion of their annual cycle. 52 species of bats are covered by EUROBATS, seven species of sharks are covered by the Memorandum of Understanding on the Protection of Migratory Sharks, six species of marine turtles are covered by the IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU, and 76 species of raptors are covered by the Raptors MoU.

Appendix I: Threatened Migratory Species

There is a wide variety of migratory species included in the CMS family. Many mammals, including terrestrial, marine, and bat mammals, as well as birds, fish, reptiles, and one insect, are included in the appendices of CMS. Among the tools, AEWA addresses 254 bird species that depend on wetlands for at least a portion of their annual cycle. 52 species of bats are covered by EUROBATS, seven species of sharks are covered by the Memorandum of Understanding on the Protection of Migratory Sharks, six species of marine turtles are covered by the IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU, and 76 species of raptors are covered by the Raptors MoU.

Appendix II: Migratory Species Requiring International Cooperation

The convention's Appendix II lists the migratory species that require or would greatly benefit from international cooperation. These species serve as the foundation for developing regional or global instruments under CMS, either individually or collectively by taxonomic group. The convention encourages a range of nations to reach international or regional agreements as a result.

Organisational Structure

Its structure can be understood through the following diagrams −

Relation of India an CMS

Since 1983, India has been a signatory to the Convention. On the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Sea Turtles (2007, 2008), Dugongs, and Raptors, India and CMS have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (2016). India accounts for 8% of the known global biodiversity and has 2.4% of the world's land area.

The Central Asian Flyway, which spans regions between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and is home to at least 279 populations of 182 migratory waterbird species, passes across the Indian Subcontinent (including 29 globally threatened species). Many migratory species, such as Amur falcons, bar-headed geese, black-necked cranes, marine turtles, dugongs, and humpback whales, among others, are also temporarily housed in India.

Conclusion

The worldwide agreement for the preservation of migratory wild animal species, known as the Bonn Convention, was signed in Bonn, Germany, in 1979. In 1983, it became law. The CMS (Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species), sometimes known as the Bonn Convention, is a significant component of international environmental accords and protocols. At Gandhinagar in Gujarat, India held the CMS COP 13 conference. The Bonn Convention's main objective is to safeguard migratory wild animal species and their natural habitats.

It operates under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme and is the sole international agreement pertaining to migratory animals. The treaty has both legally and non-legally binding Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that are adapted to conservation needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which agreement is signed on conservation of migratory species?

Ans. The Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals is often known as the Bonn Convention (CMS.) To enable steps for their conservation and protection, CMS brings together the states and the range states from which the migratory species pass.

Q2. Is India part of Bonn Convention?

Ans. India has ratified the CMS. 2020 will see the CMS CoP-13 in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat. Till 2023, India will continue to serve as the CoP to Bonn convention's president. The National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Species in the Central Asian Flyway has also been launched in India.

Q3. What is the Convention on Migratory Species objectives?

Ans. The Bonn Convention's main goal is to protect migratory species of wild animals globally. Due to their significance from the perspectives of the environment, ecology, genetics, science, recreation, culture, education, social interaction, and economics, wild animals require special care.

Q4. What are the three objectives of Convention?

Ans. Its three main goals are −

• preserving biotic variety

• The sustainable use of biological diversity's constituent parts

• The just and equitable distribution of the advantages resulting from the use of genetic resources