India hosts 13th COP on Conservation of Migratory Species of wild animals .

Feb 10,2020

• Introduction:
• The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS),is an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme.
• It is going to be hosted by India from 17th to 22nd February 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

• Theme:
• The theme of CMS COP13 in India is, “Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home. “
• The CMS COP 13 logo is inspired by ‘Kolam’, a traditional art form from southern India.
• In the logo of CMS COP-13, Kolam art form is used to depict key migratory species in India like Amur falcon, humpback whale and marine turtles.

• Mascot of COP 13:
• The mascot for CMS COP13 is “Gibi – The Great Indian Bustard” .
• IUCN Status of Gibi- Critically endangered species .
• It has been accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

• What are migratory species?
  Migratory species are those animals that move from one habitat to another during different times of the year, due to various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc. The movement between habitats can sometimes exceed thousands of miles/kilometres for some migratory birds and mammals. A migratory route can involve nesting and also requires the availability of habitats before and after each migration.

• What is Bonn Convention?
• In order to protect the migratory species throughout their range countries, a Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), has been in force, under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme.
• This is called as the Bonn Convention.
•  It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats and brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States.
• It lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.
• The convention complements and co-operates with a number of other international organizations, NGOs and partners in the media as well as in the corporate sector.
• Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I.
• 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 II of the Convention.

• India’s Response:
  India has also signed a non-legally binding MOU with CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016).
• India is a temporary home to several migratory animals and birds. The important among these include Amur Falcons, Bar-headed geese, Black-necked cranes, Marine turtles, Dugongs, Humpbacked Whales, etc. 
• The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e., the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans, and covers at least 279 populations of 182 migratory water bird species, including 29 globally threatened species
• India has also launched the National Action Plan for the conservation of migratory species under the Central Asian Flyway.
• India has been a Party to the CMS since 1983.  The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this convention.

Do you know?

Three CMS Ambassadors have been chosen one each for terrestrial,avian and aquatic spp. Indian actor and environment activist Randeep Hooda has been chosen for aquatic spp.

India current host to CMS COP 13 assummes the presidency for next three years.

Two sets of commemorative stamps issued ,special stamp by India features Great Indian Bustard-the mascot for CMS COP 13.