Misc

Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals India

The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme, was hosted by India from 17th to 22nd February 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The theme of CMS in India was, Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home. The CMS COP 13 logo (below) was inspired by ‘Kolam’, a traditional art form from southern India. In the logo, Kolam art form was used to depict key migratory species in India like Amur falcon, humpback whale and marine turtles. The mascot for CMS was “Gibi - The Great Indian Bustard” a critically endangered species that has been accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
 
 
What is CMS? 
·The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, also known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention, is an international agreement that aims to conserve migratory species within their migratory ranges. 
·The Agreement was signed under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme and is concerned with conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.
·Signed in 1979 in BonnGermany, the Convention entered into force in 1983. 
·As of September 2020, there are 131 Member States to the Convention. The depositary is the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
 
At CMS COP13:
·It was the largest ever in the history of the Convention, with 2,550 people attending including 263 delegates, 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. 
·10 new species were added to CMS Appendices at COP13. 7 species were added to Appendix I, which provides the strictest protection: the Asian Elephant, Jaguar, Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican, Little Bustard, Antipodean Albatross and the Oceanic White-tip Shark.  
·The Urial, Smooth Hammerhead Shark and the Tope Shark were listed for protection under Appendix II, which covers migratory species that have an unfavourable conservation status and would benefit from enhanced international cooperation and conservation actions.  
·New and extended Concerted Actions with targeted conservation plans were agreed for 14 species.
·It also adopted the Gandhinagar Declaration
 
The COP also agreed on a number of cross-cutting policy measures to address threats to migratory species:
·Integrate biodiversity and migratory species considerations into national energy and climate policy and promote wildlife-friendly renewable energy
·Strengthen initiatives to combat the illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory birds
·Mitigate the impacts of linear infrastructure such as roads and railways on migratory species
·Address the unsustainable use of aquatic wild meat
·Undertake a review of bycatch levels of sharks and rays, and further implement bycatch mitigation measures for marine mammals in national fishing operations
·Deepen our understanding of the importance of animal culture and social complexity for the conservation of endangered species.



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