India and Bangladesh submit joint proposal to list Indian skimmer under the CMS
Indian skimmer. Photo: iStock The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14) adopted an action plan for improving the conservation status of migratory landbird species in the African-Eurasian region on February 15, 2024.
The CMS COP14 is being held at Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The adoption of African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds Action Plan (AEMLAP) also included annexes in the resolution urging the Parties and encouraging non-Parties and stakeholders to implement it on priority. It also included the adoption of the 12-year multi-species action plan for vultures.
For parties, it urged the stakeholders to address habitat loss and degradation concerning the migratory landlord species. It directed that the objectives be met by developing policies aimed at maintaining, managing, and restoring its habitats in collaboration with local communities and other African partners, such as the poverty alleviation community.
It urged parties and non-parties to collaborate with relevant agencies, organisations and local communities to prevent harmful land use and land use changes that would have a negative impact on biodiversity in the African-Eurasian flyway region.
The CMS COP14 highlighted the need to urgently address the concerns of illegal and unsustainable killing and trade of species during their migration and wintering through natural conservation legislation.
Read more: Protect migratory marine species from fish aggregating devices, pollution: COP14 shares guidelines
Speaking on the highly threatened and declining group of migratory landbird — migratory bustards — the Samarkand summit noted the pressures experienced by the species from habitat loss and degradation and collision with energy infrastructure.
The CMS COP14 further urged the Parties and encouraged non-Parties to prevent poisoning of these migratory birds by agriculture pesticides and veterinary chemical treatments.
In another discussion on avian species, the summit adopted action plans for species such as far eastern curlew, Baer’s pochard and European roller submitted to CMS COP12.
It also adopted Action Plan for Great Bustard in Asia and International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Christmas Island Frigatebird submitted to CMS COP14.
Read more: CMS COP14: Draft resolution for conservation of hawksbill turtle & angelshark adopted
During discussions, it expressed concerns about the conservation status of the Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis). It also noted issues about its riverine and coastal habitats and its possibility of extinction in southeast Asia following its severe decline identified in early 2020.
India and Bangladesh have submitted a joint proposal to list the species under the CMS and development of the international Single Species Action Plan.
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