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Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) – Bonn Convention

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Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

  • The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)—also known as the Bonn Convention—is a global treaty under the UNEP aimed at protecting migratory animals and their habitats across borders.
  • It is an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme.
  • It is the only global convention specializing in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats and migration routes.
  • CMS brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.
  • 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.
  • The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this convention.

Objective

  • It aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory species throughout their range.

CMS Appendices

  • CMS employs two Appendices to classify species:
  • 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

  • CMS acts 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 & CMS Engagement

  • India ratified CMS on 4 May 1982, and the treaty became effective on 1 November 1983 .
  • India has also signed the Raptors MoU (on migratory birds of prey), including conservation efforts for the Amur falcons in Nagaland starting from 1 April 2016.
  • Major Role: Hosted CMS CoP13 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in February 2020, which led to the inclusion of several species in CMS Appendices.

Significance

  • CMS provides a coordinated framework for protecting migratory species across their range, addressing threats like habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and barriers to migration.
  • It fosters ecological connectivity and transboundary conservation, reinforcing global collaboration under the UN biodiversity agenda.

The CMS is the only global treaty dedicated exclusively to migratory species. The State of the World’s Migratory Species Report (2024) warns that 44% of CMS-listed species are in decline and 22% face extinction risk. Effective, cross-border collaboration under the CMS framework remains crucial to reversing these declines and ensuring the survival of species that depend on multiple countries for their life cycles.

FAQs

Q1. What is CMS?

The CMS (Bonn Convention) is a UNEP treaty for conserving migratory wild animals and their habitats across national borders.

Q2. When was CMS adopted and when did it become effective?

Adopted on 23 June 1979 in Bonn, CMS entered into force on 1 November 1983.

Q3. How many Parties are part of CMS?

As of 2022, CMS has 133 Parties.

Q4. What are the CMS Appendices?

  • Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction — mandatory protection.

  • Appendix II: Species needing international cooperation — encourages agreements and management plans.

Q5. When did India join CMS?

India ratified CMS on 4 May 1982; it took effect on 1 November 1983.

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