The Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals has called for adopting and integrating an ecological connectivity in the new framework to be adopted at the UN Biodiversity Conference in October.
The convention CMS COP 13 concluded last week also demanded various policy measures for protection of migratory species. The conference asked to integrate biodiversity and migratory species with national climate and energy policies. It also called for promoting wildlife friendly renewable energy. The convention also asked the countries to strengthen various initiatives against the illegal killing and trading of migratory birds. The convention also asked to address the use of aquatic wild meat, review bycatch levels of rays and shark.
This is the first of a series of international meetings in 2020 that will culminate in the UN Biodiversity Conference. Noting that Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals contributed to reversing the trends of species, CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel said that 2,550 people attended the conference. This included representatives from various agencies of the United Nations, non Party countries and NGOs.
Ten new species got into CMS Appendices at the conference. Appendix 1 listed seven species, which needs strict protection. The list has Asian Elephant, Great Indian Bustard, Jaguar, Oceanic White-tip Shark, Bengal Florican, Antipodean Albatross and Little Bustard. Urial, Tope Shark and Smooth Hammerhead Shark are in Appendix II.
Fraenkel said the conference gave a clear mandate for preparing a flagship report on migratory species. This will give a better idea of the happenings on the ground and also help in focusing on the areas to be addressed, she added.
