National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds

October 12, 2020

India has launched the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Birds (2018-2023) along the central Asian flyway to reduce population decline of migratory birds and secure their habitat. The plan aims to conserve the migratory birds and their habitats within the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals.

The Central Asian Flyway – An Important Route for Migratory Birds

There are nine flyways in the world, and the central Asian flyway is one among them. It encompasses migration routes over 30 countries, including the breeding grounds of Russia, Maldives, west and South Asia, and the British Indian Ocean Territory. The flyway is important to India because it provides critical stopover sites to over 90 percent of the birds migrating in this route.

About the Plan

The National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Birds (2018-2023) was launched to be implemented between 2018 and 2023. The overall goal of the plan is to reduce the population decline of migratory birds and to secure their habitat. The short-term goal of the plan is to stop the decline in population by 2027. The plan is to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, and a status report of the plan implementation is to be published by the Ministry every two years.

Components of the Plan

In order to achieve its objectives, the plan has been structured in the following six interrelated components:

Species conservation: This component focuses on the conservation of migratory birds and their populations through various actions, including the identification and mapping of critical habitats, promoting community-based conservation, and reducing threats from hunting and poaching.
Habitat conservation and sustainable management: This component focuses on conserving and managing critical habitats, including wetlands, forests, and grasslands, to ensure their sustainability and support the populations of migratory birds.
Communication and outreach: This component focuses on raising awareness about the importance of migratory birds and their habitats among various stakeholders, including policymakers, communities, and the general public.
Capacity development: This component focuses on building capacity among various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, to implement the actions identified in the plan effectively.
Research and knowledge base development: This component focuses on enhancing our understanding of migratory birds and their conservation needs through research and monitoring.
International cooperation: This component focuses on promoting cooperation and collaboration among various countries along the Central Asian Flyway to conserve migratory birds and their habitats.

Objectives of the Plan

The National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Birds (2018-2023) has several objectives, including:

To reduce pressure on critical habitats and migratory routes by addressing the various challenges faced by migratory birds, including habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, hunting, poaching, pollution, and climate change.
To stop the decline of migratory birds and reverse the scenario by 2027.
To avoid threats to habitats and migratory routes and ensure their sustainability for future generations.
To support trans-boundary cooperation among various countries along the Central Asian Flyway to conserve migratory birds and their habitats.
To improve the database on migratory birds and their habitats to enhance our understanding of their conservation needs.

Discussion

India’s National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Birds (2018-2023) along the Central Asian Flyway is an important initiative to conserve migratory birds and their habitats. The plan’s objectives are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, and it draws upon the five major goals of the conservation of migratory species strategic plan 2015 to 2023. The plan’s components are interrelated and reflect a comprehensive approach to conserving migratory birds and their habitats. By implementing this plan, India hopes to contribute towards the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats along the Central Asian Flyway, while also fulfilling its international obligations under various conservation treaties and agreements.

The plan has tries to make progress in conserving migratory birds and their habitats, including the identification and mapping of critical habitats, the promotion of community-based conservation, and the reduction of threats from hunting and poaching. However, there is still a long way to go, and continued efforts are needed to ensure the sustainability of migratory birds and their habitats.

The success of the plan depends on the participation and cooperation of various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and the general public. Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness about the importance of migratory birds and their habitats and build capacity among various stakeholders to implement the plan’s actions effectively.

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