TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The recently concluded Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14) witnessed a landmark development with the adoption of the Initiative for the Central Asian Flyway.
EXPLANATION:
- Propelled by India and supported by BirdLife International and 30 other nations spanning from Russian Siberia to the Maldives, this initiative marks a crucial step towards the conservation of over 600 migratory bird species.
India’s Leadership in Conservation:
- Introduced by India during CMS COP 14, the Initiative for the Central Asian Flyway showcases India’s commitment to environmental conservation.
- Led by the Inspector General of Forests, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, the initiative garnered widespread support as a comprehensive effort to protect the diverse migratory bird populations traversing the Central Asian Flyway.
Objectives of the Initiative:
- Central Asian Flyway (CAF) covers a large area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans.
- This flyway comprises several important migration routes of birds.
- Including India, there are 30 countries under the Central Asian Flyway.
- The primary goal of the Central Asian Flyway initiative is to restore and maintain the favorable conservation status of migratory species populations and facilitate their ecological connectivity within the flyway.
- The ambitious initiative aims to address the alarming decline in populations of over 240 migratory bird species within the Central Asian Flyway.
- Notably, 48 of these species are classified as Globally Threatened or Near Threatened.
Key Threats to Migratory Birds:
- BirdLife International highlighted critical threats faced by migratory birds, including severe habitat loss, overexploitation, and illegal killing.
- Additionally, the rapid development of energy infrastructure poses a significant risk, leading to collisions and electrocutions.
- These threats make coordinated conservation efforts imperative to safeguard both the ecological balance and the cultural significance of migratory birds to local communities.
Scope of the Central Asian Flyway:
- Encompassing a vast geographical range, the Central Asian Flyway includes countries from Russian Siberia to the Maldives.
- The list comprises Afghanistan, India, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Maldives, and 25 other nations.
- The migratory bird species relying on this flyway connect various ecosystems and contribute to the cultural heritage of communities that have coexisted with them for centuries.
Capacity Building and Collaborative Conservation:
- The Central Asian Flyway initiative is envisioned as a platform for capacity building, knowledge sharing, research, and coordination among all participating countries.
- The initiative seeks to foster collaboration to address the diverse challenges faced by migratory bird populations, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in conservation.
Programme of Work and Future Outlook:
- The initiative commits to developing and enforcing a Programme of Work aligned with CMS resolutions, decisions, and plans.
- As it progresses, the initiative aims to provide a robust framework for coordinated action, ensuring the sustainable conservation of the 600+ species of migratory birds utilizing the Central Asian Flyway.
CMS:
- It is an intergovernmental treaty under the UNEP- popularly known as Bonn Convention.
- It aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.
- It lays the legal foundation to conduct conservation measures on a global scale.
- It was signed in 1979 and in force since 1983.
- As of 1 March 2022, the CMS has 133 Parties.
- India is also a party to CMS since 1983.
- The Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (COP14) was hosted by the Government of Uzbekistan, in Samarkand from 12-17 February 2024.
Birdlife International:
- It is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources
- It is world’s largest conservation partnerships for conservation of birds and their habitats.
- It was earlier known as International Committee for Bird Preservation.
Conclusion:
- India’s leadership in championing the Central Asian Flyway initiative reflects a shared commitment to protecting biodiversity and preserving the invaluable contributions of migratory birds. As nations collaborate under this initiative, it not only addresses the immediate threats faced by these birds but also lays the foundation for a sustainable and harmonious coexistence between migratory species and the diverse landscapes they traverse. The Central Asian Flyway initiative is a testament to the global community’s recognition of the urgency to protect and conserve our interconnected ecosystems.