Key Facts and Data Points

  • 49% of migratory species protected under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) are experiencing population declines (up from 44% in 2022).
  • 24% of CMS‑listed species are now classified as facing extinction, an increase from 22%.
  • 386 CMS‑listed species reassessed since 2022; 34 (9%) moved to a higher threat category on the IUCN Red List, 26 of which are migratory shorebirds.
  • Major threats: Habitat loss & fragmentation, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, overexploitation (by‑catch, illegal hunting), pollution (light, noise, plastics), and climate change.
  • Success stories: Scimitar‑horned Oryx (Extinct in the Wild → Endangered), Saiga Antelope (Endangered → Near‑Threatened), Mediterranean Monk Seal (Endangered → Vulnerable).
  • Key Indian migratory species: Olive Ridley Turtle, Great Indian Bustard, Snow Leopard, Amur Falcon, Siberian Crane, among others.
  • CMS COP 15 scheduled for March 2026 in Campo Grande, Brazil.

Background and Context

  • The CMS (Bonn Convention), adopted in 1979 and effective from 1 Nov 1983, provides a legally binding framework for the conservation of migratory wildlife across national boundaries.
  • It operates through two appendices: Appendix I (endangered migratory species requiring strict protection) and Appendix II (species needing international cooperation).
  • India has been a Party to CMS since 1983, contributing to the protection of species along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and marine routes.
  • The UN State of the World’s Migratory Species Report is a biennial assessment; the 2024 interim update signals accelerating declines.

Significance for India / Governance / Policy

  • India’s geographic position makes it a critical hub for flyways, marine turtle nesting beaches, and mammalian migration corridors.
  • Declines in migratory species affect ecosystem services, tourism, and indigenous livelihoods.
  • Integrating CMS priorities into the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes, and the forthcoming BBNJ Treaty can strengthen habitat protection.
  • The report underscores the need for renewable energy planning, linear infrastructure mitigation, and pollution control to meet the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) Target 2 (restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030).

Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions

  • Article 48A of the Indian Constitution directs the State to protect the environment and safeguard wildlife.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Biological Diversity Act, 2002 provide statutory mechanisms for protecting species listed in CMS Appendix I.
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 empowers the government to regulate pollution that threatens migratory routes.
  • Internationally, India is bound by CMS, UNEP, and is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the upcoming BBNJ Treaty.

Steps Needed for Conservation (CMS Priority Actions)

  • Protect, Connect, Restore Habitats: Expand protected area coverage, restore 30% of degraded ecosystems, improve ecological connectivity (currently <10%).
  • Strengthen Monitoring: Standardized population monitoring, strategic environmental assessments for infrastructure projects.
  • Combat Overexploitation: Enforce bans on illegal hunting, regulate fisheries, ratify the BBNJ Treaty.
  • Mitigate Pollution: Reduce light and noise pollution, phase‑out lead ammunition, curb plastic waste, limit pesticide use near critical sites.
  • Address Climate Change: Implement ecosystem‑based adaptation, dynamic management of shifting migration corridors, ensure renewable energy projects are wildlife‑friendly.

Conclusion

The interim 2024 CMS report highlights an alarming rise in migratory species declines, demanding coordinated international and national action. By aligning CMS priorities with India’s NBSAP, EIA framework, and global biodiversity commitments, the country can reverse trends and safeguard trans‑boundary wildlife for future generations.

Drishti Mains Question: Examine the role of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in the conservation of migratory wildlife.

FAQs

  1. What is CMS? A UNEP‑administered treaty (Bonn Convention) adopted in 1979 to protect migratory species across borders.
  2. What are the two appendices? Appendix I – endangered migratory species; Appendix II – species needing international cooperation.
  3. Which Indian species are in Appendix I? Great Indian Bustard, Olive Ridley Turtle, Siberian Crane, Leatherback Turtle, among others.