What is Bonn Convention?

The Bonn Convention, also known as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), is an international treaty aimed at the conservation of migratory species within their migratory ranges. The Convention was signed in 1979 in Bonn, Germany, and is under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Here are the steps to understand the Bonn Convention:

1. Understanding the Purpose: The main aim of the Bonn Convention is to conserve migratory species and their habitats. Migratory species are particularly vulnerable and need special attention for their conservation due to their life habits of crossing multiple borders.

2. Recognizing the Participants: The Convention brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.

3. Understanding the Mechanism: As per the Convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I, and Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them. Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention.

4. Implementation: For migratory species listed in Appendix II, the Convention encourages the Range States to conclude global or regional Agreements.

5. Monitoring and Compliance: The Convention organizes regular meetings (Conferences of the Parties) where the member states meet, discuss and plan the way forward for the conservation of the migratory species.

In this way, the Bonn Convention plays a crucial role in the global conservation of migratory species.