Government to sign MoU to conserve migratory birds

The central government on Wednesday gave its nod to sign an MoU on conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia.

Approval for this MoU, also called 'Raptor MoU' was taken in a meeting of the union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a cabinet communique said.

With the signing of this MoU, India will become the 54th signatory to the Raptor MoU, which extends its coverage to 76 species of birds of prey out of which 46 species including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, etc. are found in India also.

The MoU seeks willingness of the signatory range states for working for conservation of the raptor species and their habitats, it added.

Considering that the Raptor MoU is also in conformity with the provisions of the existing Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, wherein the birds have been accorded protection, India would gain domain knowledge which would be helpful in effectively managing the habitats of these raptors.

Pakistan and Nepal are the other neighbours who are signatories to this MoU.A

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) or Bonn Convention, under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range. India had become a party to the CMS since November 1, 1983.