Why this matters now
Bonn Convention is tested for: only global migratory species treaty; 1979 Bonn adoption; in force 1983; 2 Appendices (I endangered + II agreements); MoUs + Agreements as flexible secondary instruments; India hosted CMS COP13 Gandhinagar 15-22 Feb 2020 with mascot “Gibi the Great Indian Bustard”; Gandhinagar Declaration; Asian Elephant + Great Indian Bustard + Bengal Florican + Smooth-coated Otter etc added to Appendix I at COP13; CMS Family includes Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Indian Ocean — South-East Asian Sea Turtles 2001 (India hosted).
Two Appendices
| Appendix | Coverage | Action |
|---|---|---|
| I — Endangered Migratory Species | Species in danger of extinction throughout all or significant portion of range. ~190 species listed. | Parties must protect: prohibit taking, conserve + restore habitats, mitigate obstacles to migration, control other factors. |
| II — Migratory Species with Unfavourable Conservation Status requiring Agreements | Species requiring international cooperation but not necessarily endangered. ~520 species. | Parties encouraged to conclude global or regional Agreements + MoUs. Listed species can also be in Appendix I. |
Secondary instruments (subsidiary agreements):
- 7 Agreements: ACAP (Albatrosses + Petrels), ACCOBAMS + ASCOBANS (cetaceans), AEWA (African-Eurasian Waterbirds), EUROBATS (European bats), Gorilla Agreement, Wadden Sea Seals.
- ~25 MoUs: Indian Ocean — SE Asian Sea Turtles (Hyderabad 2001, India hosted), Saiga Antelope, Bukhara Deer, Pacific Islands Cetaceans, Aquatic Warbler, West African Elephants, etc.
India + CMS COP13 Gandhinagar 2020
India ratified Bonn on 1 November 1983 (same date as entry-into-force). India hosted CMS COP13 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 15-22 February 2020 — first CMS COP in India.
Theme: “Migratory Species Connect the Planet and we welcome them home”.
Mascot: “Gibi the Great Indian Bustard” — endangered Indian endemic.
Key outcomes of COP13:
- Gandhinagar Declaration adopted — emphasising importance of ecological connectivity.
- New listings to CMS Appendices:
- Appendix I: Asian Elephant, Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican, Little Bustard, Antipodean Albatross, Oceanic White-tip Shark, Smooth Hammerhead Shark.
- Appendix II: Common Guitarfish, Tope Shark, Jaguar.
- Central Asian Mammals Initiative + Migrating Species and Climate Change resolution.
- India announced National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Species (NAPCMS) 2018-23; renewed for 2024-29.
India’s migratory species protections:
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 Schedule I + II protects ~75% of CMS Appendix I species in India.
- Important Bird Areas (IBAs) — BirdLife International + BNHS designation.
- Central Asian Flyway (CAF): India is one of 30 range countries.
- National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds.
UPSC angle
Know BONN CONVENTION (CMS) — Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals adopted 23 JUNE 1979 BONN GERMANY; IN FORCE 1 NOVEMBER 1983; 133 PARTIES (USA NOT party); INDIA RATIFIED 1 NOV 1983 SAME date entry-into-force; ONLY GLOBAL TREATY migratory species+habitats; 2 APPENDICES: APPENDIX I ENDANGERED MIGRATORY ~190 species parties MUST PROTECT (prohibit taking + conserve+restore habitats + mitigate migration obstacles + control other factors); APPENDIX II UNFAVOURABLE CONSERVATION STATUS REQUIRING AGREEMENTS ~520 species encouraged global/regional Agreements+MoUs (can also be App I); SECONDARY INSTRUMENTS: 7 AGREEMENTS ACAP Albatrosses+Petrels, ACCOBAMS+ASCOBANS cetaceans, AEWA African-Eurasian Waterbirds, EUROBATS European bats, Gorilla Agreement, Wadden Sea Seals; ~25 MoUs Indian Ocean-SE Asian Sea Turtles Hyderabad 2001 INDIA HOSTED, Saiga Antelope, Bukhara Deer, Pacific Islands Cetaceans; INDIA HOSTED CMS COP13 GANDHINAGAR GUJARAT 15-22 FEB 2020 FIRST CMS COP IN INDIA; THEME “Migratory Species Connect the Planet and we welcome them home”; MASCOT “GIBI THE GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD” endangered Indian endemic; KEY OUTCOMES: GANDHINAGAR DECLARATION ecological connectivity; NEW LISTINGS Appendix I: ASIAN ELEPHANT + GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD + BENGAL FLORICAN + Little Bustard + Antipodean Albatross + Oceanic White-tip Shark + Smooth Hammerhead Shark; Appendix II: Common Guitarfish + Tope Shark + Jaguar; CENTRAL ASIAN MAMMALS INITIATIVE + Migrating Species and Climate Change resolution; India NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES (NAPCMS) 2018-23 renewed 2024-29; INDIA PROTECTIONS: Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 Schedule I+II protects ~75% CMS App I species; Important Bird Areas (IBAs) BirdLife International+BNHS; CENTRAL ASIAN FLYWAY (CAF) India 1 of 30 range countries; National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bonn Convention?
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) — adopted 23 June 1979 at Bonn, in force 1 November 1983. Only global treaty for migratory species.
What are the 2 Appendices?
Appendix I: endangered migratory species (parties must protect). Appendix II: species needing international cooperation via Agreements + MoUs.
When did India host CMS COP?
15-22 February 2020 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat — the 13th COP. Mascot was “Gibi the Great Indian Bustard”. Adopted Gandhinagar Declaration.
Which Indian species were added to CMS Appendix I at COP13?
Asian Elephant + Great Indian Bustard + Bengal Florican + Smooth-coated Otter + Antipodean Albatross + Oceanic White-tip Shark + Smooth Hammerhead Shark.