World Migratory Bird Day 2022

News Highlight

World Migratory Bird Day was recently celebrated on 08 October 2022.

About World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD)

• World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on two peak days each year (the second Saturday of May and October) to highlight the need for international collaboration to ensure the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats globally.
•  It is organized by a collaborative partnership between two UN wildlife treaties 
  1. The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
  2. The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA)and 
  3. The non-profit organization, Environment for the Americas (EFTA). 

• The 2022 campaign is also being actively supported by the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat, BirdLife International and a growing number of other dedicated organizations. 

Theme

• The theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2022 is  “Dim the Lights for Birds at Night”.
• WMBD 2022 is addressing the growing issue of light pollution on these birds and actions on a global scale to help migrate these birds safely.

Light Pollution and impact on Migratory birds

• Light pollution is a significant and growing threat to wildlife including many species of migratory birds.
• Every year, light pollution contributes to the death of millions of birds. It alters the natural patterns of light and dark in ecosystems. 
• According to reports, at least 100 million birds die every year from colliding with buildings in the United States alone. 
• It can change birds’ migration patterns, foraging behaviours, and vocal communication, and increase predation.
• Further, artificial lights impact birds in the breeding and winter seasons, disrupting feeding and other vital behaviours. 

Initiatives to conserve migratory birds

• Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention: 
  • It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of UNEP
  • CMS is the only global and UN-based intergovernmental organisation established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
  • India has been a party to the CMS since 1983
• “National Action Plan (NAP) for Conservation of Migratory birds” (2018-23)
  • The environment ministry brought out NAP for Conservation of Migratory Birds works for specific actions required to ensure healthy populations of the MigratorySpecies in India. 
• World Migratory Bird Day 
  • World Migratory Bird Day was created to raise awareness and to highlight the need for urgent action to conserve the wetlands which are the essential stepping stones along the world’s great migratory routes – and provide vital ecosystem services for millions of people.
•  Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 
  • Rare and endangered species of birds, including migratory birds, are included in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 thereby according to the highest degree of protection
  • Important habitats of birds, including migratory birds, have been notified as Protected Areas under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for better conservation and protection of birds and their habitats.

Pic Courtesy: freepik

Content Source: The Hindu