CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES (CMS)

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, is an international treaty aimed at ensuring the conservation of migratory species of wild animals across their entire migratory range. The CMS was adopted in 1979 under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and came into force in 1983.

Key Features:

1. Objective: The primary goal of the CMS is to conserve terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory species, their habitats, and migration corridors. The treaty encourages global cooperation to ensure the survival of species that migrate across national borders.

2. Scope: It covers species that migrate across international borders, and it promotes agreements and actions between countries to protect these species. This includes the protection of migratory routes, breeding grounds, and wintering areas.

3. Appendices:

   • Appendix I: Lists species that are endangered and require strict conservation measures.
   • Appendix II: Lists species that benefit from international cooperation to ensure their survival.

4. Parties and Agreements: The CMS is a framework convention, which means that it encourages countries to enter into specific agreements for the conservation of particular migratory species or groups of species. Many of these agreements are tailored to the needs of specific species, such as birds, marine life, or land mammals.

5. Role of the Secretariat: The CMS Secretariat is based in Bonn, Germany, and it supports the implementation of the Convention by facilitating meetings, providing technical assistance, and coordinating global conservation efforts.

Impact and Importance:

• The CMS has led to the creation of several regional agreements, such as the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS).
• The convention has helped raise awareness of the need for cross-border cooperation in preserving ecosystems crucial for migratory species.

In summary, the CMS is a pivotal international framework for the protection of migratory species, fostering collaboration between countries to address the challenges of species conservation on a global scale.

• The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of wild animals aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic & avian migratory species throughout their range.
• It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme, concerned with the conservation of wildlife & habitats on a global scale.
• The only global convention specializing in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats & migration routes, CMS complements & co-operates with several other international organizations, NGOs & partners in the media as well as in the corporate sector.

Appendix:

• Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed in Appendix 1 of the convention.
• Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international cooperation are listed in Appendix 2 of the convention. For this reason, the Convention encourages the Range States to conclude global or regional Agreements.

CMS (Conservation of Migratory Species) as framework Convention:

• The Agreements may range from legally binding treaties to less formal instruments like Memoranda of Understanding & can be adapted to the requirements of particular regions.
• The development of models tailored according to the conservation needs throughout the migratory range is a unique capacity of CMS.

Raptor MOU:

• The Indian Government has signed ‘Raptor MOU’, on Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa & Eurasia, with the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• The CMS aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range.
• India had become a party to the CMS since November 1983. The Raptor MOU is an agreement under article IV paragraph 4 of the CMS & is not legally binding.
• The Raptor MOU extends its coverage to 76 species of birds of prey, out of which 46 species, including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers etc, also occur in India.
• India has become the 56^th signatory state to sign the Raptor MOU which was concluded in October 2008 & came into effect in November 2008.