Central Asian Flyway is critical for conservation of migratory birds: Ashwini Kumar Choubey

New Delhi: In a bid to strengthen the conservation efforts for migratory birds and their habitats in the Central Asian Flyway, the Range Countries have agreed upon an “institutional framework” for updating Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Action Plan.

In this direction, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme/ Convention on Migratory Species (UNEP/CMS) held a meeting with Range Countries to strengthen conservation efforts for migratory birds and their habitats in New Delhi.

The delegates deliberated and agreed on an “institutional framework” for the Central Asian Flyway and discussed priority areas for implementation, and agreed on a draft roadmap for updating the CMS CAF Action Plan.

Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Ashwini Kumar Choubey inaugurated the meeting.

Speaking at the event, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said “It gives us immense satisfaction that we have taken concrete steps towards his vision with this meeting of the range countries of the Central Asian Flyway to frame an Action Plan”.

He added that “A sustainable lifestyle that allows for the co-existence of all life forms, including migratory birds, is critical to ensure their continued existence in the years to come”.

The Minister said through this meeting, we are taking a significant step towards achieving the common goal of conservation and sustainable development in the Central Asian Flyway”.

The meeting was a critical opportunity for CAF Range States to collaborate and exchange ideas and best practices to ensure the sustainable conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

There was an overall consensus in the meeting for further strengthening and formalizing this initiative.

The formalization of the Central Asian Flyway initiative was seen as a significant step towards the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

The meeting was attended by the eleven countries of CAF region including Armenia, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Mongolia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, besides the Secretariats of CMS, AEWA and Raptors MOU, and representatives of Chief Wildlife Wardens of States, scientific institutions in India, international and national nongovernmental organizations, and subject experts.

The delegates also undertook a field visit to the Sultanpur National Park, Gurugram, and Haryana, to understand the management of bird sanctuary and learn the best practices being adopted in India for management of bird sanctuaries.