Centre approves MoU for conservation of migratory birds of prey

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 30

Marking a step that would help India gain knowledge about distressed and endangered species of birds of prey like vultures, the government today gave approval for signing a MoU for conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia.

The “Raptor MoU”, as it is called, will help India gain knowledge in effectively managing habitats of 76 species of birds of prey of which 46 species, including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites and harrier, are also found in India.

The approval to sign the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia with the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) was given in a Cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With the signing of this MoU, India will become the 54th signatory to the MoU.

Concluded on October 22, 2008, the “Raptor MoU” that came into effect on November 1, 2008, is an agreement under Article IV paragraph 4 of the CMS. Though not legally binding, the understanding is about willingness of the signatory Range States for working for conservation of the raptor species and their habitats.

An action plan has been formulated which primarily envisages the conservation action for raptor species.

According to officials, 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, and will help India gain domain knowledge.

The knowledge will be helpful in effectively managing the habitats of these raptors, including concerted trans-boundary efforts for conservation through interaction with other range countries by signing of the MoU with the CMS. Pakistan and Nepal are the other neighbours who are signatories to this MoU.

The CMS or Bonn Convention, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range.

India is a party to the CMS since November 1, 1983.

Flying predators hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision and locate prey by combination of sound and movement. Vultures are presently in the critically endangered category. The government recently banned multi-dose vials of human formulations of diclofenac, a painkilling drug death of vultures.

Harriers are large, slender hawk-like birds. Gliding on their long broad wings, they circle low over grasslands and marshes to hunt. Medium-sized birds of prey Hawks are mainly woodland birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch.