28.6. CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES (CMS)

♤ The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or Bonn Convention) aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and 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 and habitats on a global scale.

♤ The Convention’s has membership of 117 Parties from Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe

and Oceania.

♤ The only global convention specializing in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats and migration routes, CMS complements and co-operates with a number of other international organizations, NGOs and partners in the media as well as in the corporate sector.

Appendix I

♤ Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I of the Convention.

♤ CMS 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. Besides establishing obligations for each State joining the Convention, CMS promotes concerted action among the Range States of many of these species.

Appendix II

♤ Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention. For this reason, the Convention encourages the Range States to conclude global or regional Agreements.

CMS as a framework Convention.

♤ The Agreements may range from legally binding treaties (called Agreements) to less formal instruments, such as Memoranda of Understanding, and 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 to CMS.

India signs Raptor MOU

♤ The Indian Government has signed ‘Raptor MoU’, on Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia, with the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), or Bonn Convention, 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 1, 1983. The ‘Raptor MoU’ is an agreement under Article IV paragraph 4 of the CMS and 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 56th signatory State to sign the ‘Raptor MoU’ that was concluded on October 22, 2008 and came into effect on November 1, 2008.