Saving those birds

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very rightly said that there is a crying need for undertaking scientific research and assessment for conservation on migratory birds across the globe. Inaugurating the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention of Migratory Species and Wild Animals (CMS) in Gandhinagar on Monday, he also announced the creation of an institutional facility for such scientific work. Prime Minister Modi also took the opportunity to highlight some of the many Indian successes in wildlife conservation in recent decades, which include the emblematic tiger, lion, elephant, snow leopard, one-horned rhinoceros, and the great Indian bustard. Many animals – including birds, fish and mammals – migrate along set routes across the globe in search of food or breeding grounds. How best to protect them in a rapidly changing world is the focus of this major UN wildlife event. It is important to note that India has officially taken over the presidentship of the CMS for a period of three years starting this February, during which crucial decisions are expected to be taken and implemented through global as well as regional cooperation for the conservation of migratory birds and other animals, especially in the backdrop of severe climate issues. Significantly, India is also currently holding the presidentship of the ‘UN Convention to Combat Desertification’ for two years. Given these twin responsibilities, it is important for India as a whole to ensure that while the entire nation joins hands in the government’s efforts to arrest desertification, an intensive campaign of highly participatory nature is also mounted to generate awareness and conserve and protect migratory birds. It is a stark reality and an alarming situation in which the world is facing the extinction threat of one million species unless protective efforts are urgently increased. Loss of even one single species is also a major and irreparable loss to humanity too, because the very existence of the human species is inseparable from the existence of millions of species of animals, birds, fishes, insects, plants and so on. These creatures bring multiple benefits to humans, such as seed dispersal and pollination, and provide economic benefits and jobs such as in the tourism sector. These species move between countries without any passports or visas but are messengers of peace and prosperity. The present time is a critical phase for wildlife conservation, with continued downward trends of habitat loss and species decline. That exactly is why the conference has set in motion actions needed to better protect migratory species that rely on multilateral cooperation for their survival. As UNEP deputy chief Joyce Myusa has said, “As we face the unprecedented crisis of species loss, 2020 is an important year to step up action to conserve species, protect ecosystems and make meaningful progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals.”