Know all about Flyways and Migratory Birds

Migration is the most enthralling event in the Avian world. Billions of Birds migrate large distances across the Planet for Breeding, Staging, non-breeding, ETC. ” ” Most of the species follow broadly similar, well-established roots. Such Geographical region within which the Birds use to migrate are called ‘Flyways’. ” ”Arguably the most mobile creatures on Earth, the Birds have to deal with multiple challenges that are causing the population to decline such as Habitat loss and degradation, illegal and unsustainable Hunting, Infrastructure Development, Climate Change, Disease, and so on. There came the initiative under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to conserve the Habitat and Wildlife of Migratory Species. ” ”Precisely called as Convention of the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), or Bonn Convention, the treaty of UNEP CMS provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. Further, it 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. ” ”Introduced in 1979 and came into being in the year 1983 as ‘Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals’, the convention remains the only global convention specializing in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats and migration routes, the convention cooperates with several other international organizations, NGOs and partners. ” ”Under the Convention, Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed in Appendix 1 of the convention, accordingly the 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 co-operation are listed in Appendix 2, the Convention encourages the Range States to conclude global or regional agreements. In this, CMS acts as a framework convention. The agreements vary from legally binding treaties to less formal instruments such as Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). ”            ”The CMS Secretariat identified 9 major Flyways across the world such as ”<ol>”<li>East Atlantic Flyway</li>”<li>Black Sea / Mediterranean Flyway</li>”<li>Mississippi Americas Flyway</li>”<li>Central Asian Flyway</li>”<li>West Asian East African Flyway</li>”<li>Pacific Americas Flyway</li>”<li>West Pacific Flyway</li>”<li>East Asian Australasian Flyway</li>”<li>Atlantic Americas Flyway.</li></ol> ”India lies in the Central Asian Flyway, which includes 30 countries from Arctic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. The Indian Subcontinent is home to at least 279 population of 182 migratory waterbird species (including 29 globally threatened species) in addition to more than 400 species of migratory birds, including threatened and endangered species such as the Siberian crane, the lesser white-fronted goose, and so on. ” ”The role of India in CMS is pivotal. With 2.4% of the world’s land area, India contributes to around 8% of the known global biodiversity. India also provides temporary shelter to several migratory species including Amur Falcons, Bar-headed Geese, Black-necked Cranes, Marine Turtles, Dugongs, Humpback Whales, and so on. ” ”India has signed a non-legally binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CMS on conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008), and Raptors (2016). ” ”By launching National Action Plann for the Conservation of Migratory Species along the Central Asian Flyway in 2018, India has taken a leadership role and provided a framework to the Central Asian Flyway range countries; to reduce pressure on critical habitats and migratory routes by addressing the various challenges faced by migratory birds, including habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, hunting, poaching, pollution, and climate change; to stop the decline of migratory birds and reverse the scenario by 2027; to avoid threats to habitats and migratory routes and ensure their sustainability for future generations; to support trans-boundary cooperation among various countries along the Central Asian Flyway to conserve migratory birds and their habitats and to improve the database on migratory birds and their habitats to enhance our understanding of their conservation needs. ” ”India hosted Conference of Parties to the Convention on Conservation of the Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 13) in Gandhi Nagar Gujarat in 2020, held under the theme: ‘Migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home!’ has proven India’s commitment towards conserving Migratory species especially Migratory Birds. With the adoption of a number of significant resolutions and decisions to address the conservation needs and threats facing migratory species around the globe, Gandhinagar declaration sent strong message on importance of migratory species for new global biodiversity strategy. ” ”CMS COP13 was the first of a series of international nature-related meetings in 2020, and culminated in the UN Biodiversity Conference 2020, When a new global biodiversity strategy for the next decade will be adopted. This will be known as the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. ” ”CMS COP13 was the largest ever in the history of the Convention, with 2,550 people attending including 263 delegates representing 82 Parties, 11 delegates from 5 non-Party countries, 50 representatives from United Nations agencies, 70 representatives of international NGOs, 127 representatives of national NGOs and over 100 members of both national and international media. ” ”Ten new species were added to CMS Appendices at COP13. Seven species such as the Asian Elephant, Jaguar, Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican, Little Bustard, Antipodean Albatross and the Oceanic White-tip Shark were added to Appendix 1, the Urial, Smooth Hammerhead Shark and the Tope Shark were listed for protection under Appendix 2. New and extended Concerted Actions with targeted conservation plans were agreed for 14 species. ” ”The first ever report on the Status of Migratory Species, presented to CMS COP13, shows that despite some success stories, the populations of most migratory species covered by CMS are declining. COP13 agreed that a more comprehensive review should be undertaken to better understand the status of individual species and the main threats they face. ” ”The COP also agreed on a number of cross-cutting policy measures to address threats to migratory Species: ””<ul>”<li>Integrate biodiversity and migratory species considerations into national energy and climate policy and promote wildlife-friendly renewable energy;</li>”<li>Strengthen initiatives to combat the illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory birds;</li>”<li>Mitigate the impacts of linear infrastructure such as roads and railways on migratory species;</li>”<li>Address the unsustainable use of aquatic wild meat;</li>”<li>Undertake a review of bycatch levels of sharks and rays, and further implement bycatch mitigation measures for marine mammals in national fishing operations;</li>”<li>Deepen our understanding of the importance of animal culture and social complexity for the conservation of endangered species; and</li>”<li>To investigate possible trade in CMS Appendix 1 species and the implications for their conservation status.</li></ul> ”Seven Migratory Species Champions were recognized during a special high-level event on the eve of the conference. Under the Champion Programme, India, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Norway, the European Commission, and the Environment Agency ‘ Abu Dhabi were acknowledged for their generous contributions to CMS initiatives. These range from wildlife conservation in Africa to the implementation of measures to preserve marine life. Government of India also issued a special stamp edition featuring the Great Indian Bustard, the mascot of COP13. ” ”The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14) held in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 12 to 17 February 2024. The conference has been convened under the slogan, "Nature knows no borders". ” ”This meeting has been one of the most significant global biodiversity gatherings since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Biodiversity Plan (GBF) in 2022, and addressed a wide range of important conservation priorities and new initiatives, including many that will support the implementation of the GBF. The triennial international meeting highlighted the issues of habitat conservation and restoration as well as threats to species such as overexploitation, habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution and climate change. ” ”It provided a unique opportunity for the launch of major new reports and guidelines, including the first-ever report on the ‘State of the World’s Migratory Species’, new global guidelines on light pollution, and best practices for linear infrastructure to minimize impacts on migratory species. ” ”After nearly two decades of inconclusive negotiations, agreement was also reached on a Central Asian Flyway spanning 30 Range States of migratory birds. The adopted initiative includes the establishment of a coordinating unit in India with financial support from the Indian Government. ” ”The significance of CMS COP 13 received due recognition at CMS COP 14 wherein India’s Resolution for ‘The Initiative for Central Asian Flyway’ has been unanimously adopted on 17th Feb 2024. ” ”Key outcomes have been carved out of the CMSCOP 14 on various issues including: ”<ul>”<li>Strengthened resolution on climate change and endorsement of the report on the climate change on migratory wildlife.</li>”<li>Strengthened measures to address the illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species.</li>”<li>Actions to advance ecological connectivity.</li>”<li>New global guidelines addressing the impacts of light pollution on migratory species.</li>”<li>Recommendations on addressing linear infrastructure development and impact assessment.</li>”<li>Endorsement of a new scientific report "Insect Decline and its Threat to Migratory Insectivorous Animal Populations", and a call for the CMS Scientific Council to develop new guidelines.</li>”<li>Adoption of a new decision on Wildlife Health encouraging CMS Parties to implement the recommendations of the scientific report ‘Migratory Species and Health: A Review of Migration and Wildlife Disease Dynamics, and the Health of Migratory Species, within the Context of One Health’ also endorsed by the COP.</li>”<li>A new, science-based Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species for the period 2024-2032.</li></ul>  ”Species-specific mandates: ”<ul>”<li>Amendments to CMS Appendices to include fourteen additional species in need of international conservation, such as the Eurasian Lynx, the Pallas’s Cat, Sand Tiger Shark, and the Magellanic Plover.</li>”<li>New Concerted Actions as priority conservation measures for six species, including the Chimpanzee, the Straw-colored Fruit Bat, and the Blue Shark, and extension of existing Concerted Actions for nine species such as the Giraffe, the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin and the Antipodean Albatross.</li>”<li>Migratory Aquatic species:</li>”<li>New mandate on addressing the impacts of deep-seabed mineral exploitation on migratory species, their prey, and their ecosystems.</li>”<li>Strengthened mandate on tackling bycatch and aquatic wild meat, a global concern for small cetaceans, sharks, marine turtles and seabirds.</li>”<li>Three new Action Plans for aquatic species, the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin, the Hawksbill Turtle and the Angelshark.</li>”<li>New resolution on reducing the risk of vessel strikes for marine megafauna, based on a new scientific report presented to the COP ‘Limiting global ship strike on whale sharks Understanding an increasing threat to the world’s largest fish’ which focuses on the Appendix 1 & 2-listed Whale Shark.</li></ul> ”Migratory Birds: ”<ul>”<li>A new approach agreed to global flyways coordination under the CMS umbrella for CMS and non-CMS parties and partners.</li>”<li>Expansion and reinforcement of the prevention of illegal killing, taking, and trade of migratory birds with a call for strengthening the recently created Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Task Force and agreement on the launch of a new Task Force in Southwest Asia, based on the successful model of the Task Force in the Mediterranean region.</li></ul> ”Migratory terrestrial species: ”<ul>”<li>Numerous species-specific and Range States-wide initiatives, such as a new Transboundary Jaguar Initiative.</li>”<li>Establishment of a new Initiative in northern Africa on the Sahelo-Saharan Megafauna based on the successful model of the CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI). The Initiative includes ambitious Action Plans for critically endangered species such as the Addax and the Dama Gazelle.</li>”<li>As part of CAMI, Uzbekistan announced a new programme to introduce the Cheetah in the country.</li></ul> ”On the sidelines of CMS COP14, the highly anticipated ceremony of the Migratory Species Champion Programme recognized nine champions for their exceptional efforts and commitments to the global effort to conserve migratory species. The recipients of the award were the Governments of Uzbekistan (Host of COP14), Monaco, India, Germany, and the United Kingdom, along with the European Commission, the Environment Agency ‘ Abu Dhabi, the National Center for Wildlife of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. These entities were honoured for their contributions to initiatives that range from addressing the illegal killing, taking, and trade of birds to conserving Central Asian mammals, among many others.

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Know all about Flyways and Migratory Birds