By Jutta Wolf<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BERLIN | 19 February 2024 (IDN) \u2014 While human migration continues to stir up emotions, the world\u2019s migratory species that undertake astonishing journeys between ecosystems, often through air, land and water\u2014increasingly damaged by unsustainable human activities\u2014remain out of focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The State of the World\u2019s Migratory Species<\/a> report\u2014launched at the start of the<\/em> 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)<\/a> in the Uzbek capital Samarkand\u2014for the first time sets out compelling evidence of the peril facing these awe-inspiring animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The report finds that migratory species are being hit hard, particularly by overexploitation and habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. As a result of these pressures, one in five CMS-listed species are threatened with extinction and 44 per cent have a decreasing population trend. The situation is far worse in aquatic ecosystems, with 97 per cent of Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)-listed migratory fish at risk of extinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COP14, which concluded on 17 February, adopted a host of new measures to safeguard migratory species. Among the measures agreed was the addition of 14 species to the coverage of the Convention, including the Eurasian Lynx, Pallas\u2019s Cat and Sand Tiger Shark. Other measures seek to safeguard species such as the chimpanzee and giraffe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meeting adopted resolutions, decisions and concerted actions on over 100 distinct topics by representatives of the world treaty\u2019s 133 member states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After nearly two decades of inconclusive negotiations, agreement was also reached on a Central Asian Flyway spanning 30 Range States of migratory birds. The adopted initiative includes the establishment of a coordinating unit in India with financial support from the Indian Government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n