India is among 30 countries under the Central Asian Flyway, which has important migration routes of birds

India has said it is keen to take the conservation of migratory birds to a new paradigm with the active cooperation of all the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) Range Countries.

It would be happy to facilitate preparation of an Action Plan for other countries for conservation of migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Wednesday, reiterating an offer made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav was delivering the keynote address at the two-day Online Meeting of CAF Range countries, which includes India

Yadav recalled that India's stand on this issue had been highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the opening ceremony of the 13th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), held at Gandhinagar in February, 2020.

During Wednesday's meeting, organized by India, the CAF range countries resolved to strengthen the conservation actions for migratory birds and their habitats in the region.

There are 30 countries under the Central Asian Flyway, which covers a large area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans.

The CAF comprises several important migration routes of birds.

Approximately one in five of the world's 11,000 bird species11,000 bird species migrate, some covering enormous distances.

Conserving migratory birds requires cooperation and coordination along the entire flyway between countries and across national boundaries.

In his address, Yadav emphasized on the essential and indispensable roles migratory birds play in the ecosystems they reside in and travel through and stressed that habitats that birds use for refueling can be effectively managed with coordinated information sharing.

A resolution and declaration at the CMS COP 13 provided for establishing an institutional framework, under the leadership of India and in consultation with the other range states and relevant stakeholders.

The aim was to agree on conservation priorities and related actions, and measures to support Parties with the implementation of conservation action for migratory birds in the region, including by promoting research, studies, assessments, capacity building and conservation initiatives thereby further strengthening the implementation of CMS and its avian-related instruments.

India is thus organizing the two-day online meeting with CAF Range Countries, anchored in the Wildlife Institute of India.

It would be sharing its best practices on conservation of migratory birds and the National Action Plan, with the CAF range countries.

The meeting would also share information on activities and conservation priorities, and actions taking place within the CAF.

The meeting is being attended by representatives from the CAF range countries, representatives from CMS, its sister organizations, experts in field from across the globe, scientists, officials and representatives from State/Union Territory Governments.