The Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14) took place on February 17, 2024. During this meeting, the Initiative for the Central Asian Flyway, proposed by India, was adopted.
Proposal and Support
- Led by India: India spearheaded the proposal, receiving support from BirdLife International and 30 other governments spanning from Russian Siberia to the Maldives.
- Aim: The proposal aimed to establish an initiative under the CMS specifically for the Central Asian Flyway.
Objectives of the Initiative
- Conservation: The primary objective of the initiative is to restore and maintain the favorable conservation status of migratory species populations within the Central Asian Flyway.
- Ecological Connectivity: Additionally, it seeks to assist in maintaining ecological connectivity along the flyway.
Importance Highlighted by BirdLife
- BirdLife International emphasized the declining populations of over 240 migratory bird species within the Central Asian Flyway.
- Cultural Significance: Several of these species hold cultural importance to the communities residing along the flyway, including the White Stork in Uzbekistan, the Black-Necked Crane in Bhutan, and the Steppe Eagle in Kazakhstan.
Participating Countries
- The Central Asian Flyway encompasses a diverse range of countries, including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, and many others.
Statements from Raghu Prasad
- Raghu Prasad, Inspector General of Forests from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change of India, highlighted the initiative’s significance.
- Platform for Conservation: Prasad stated that the initiative would serve as a platform for capacity building, knowledge sharing, research, and coordination among all range countries to conserve the migratory bird populations.
Addressing Threats
- BirdLife emphasized key threats faced by migratory birds, including severe habitat loss, overexploitation, illegal killing, and the rapid development of energy infrastructure.
- Programme of Work: The initiative aims to develop and enforce a Programme of Work aligned with CMS resolutions, decisions, and plans to mitigate these threats.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ):
- Who proposed the Initiative for the Central Asian Flyway at CMS COP 14?
- A) BirdLife International
- B) Russia
- C) India
- D) China
- How many migratory bird species within the Central Asian Flyway are listed as Globally Threatened or Near Threatened?
- A) Over 100
- B) Over 200
- C) Over 300
- D) Over 400
- Which organization emphasized the cultural significance of certain migratory bird species along the Central Asian Flyway?
- A) United Nations
- B) BirdLife International
- C) World Wildlife Fund
- D) Greenpeace
- What did Raghu Prasad, from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change of India, state about the initiative?
- A) It aims to establish a wildlife sanctuary
- B) It focuses on banning hunting along the flyway
- C) It serves as a platform for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and coordination
- D) It aims to relocate migratory bird populations