Relevance: GS III (Environment & Biodiversity) | Source: The Hindu
1. What is the News?
The UN recently held a big meeting in Brazil for the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
Their goal? To protect animals that travel thousands of kilometers across different countries.
They highlighted 42 animals needing urgent help. The most shocking story is of a bird called the Hudsonian Godwit. Sadly, 95% of these birds have died out in just the last 40 years.
2. The Wonder Bird: Why is it special?
This bird is one of nature’s greatest marathon runners:
The Route: Every year, it flies from the freezing Arctic (top of the world) all the way down to the tip of South America, and then flies back.
The Distance: This round trip is a massive 30,000 km.
The Superpower: It can fly 11,000 km non-stop! It doesn’t land to eat, drink, or sleep. Because it burns so much energy, it absolutely relies on specific, safe wetlands to rest and refuel.
3. Why are they dying?
Human activities across the world are destroying the bird’s travel route:
The “Timing Mismatch” (Arctic): Because of global warming, spring is coming earlier to the Arctic. By the time the bird’s eggs hatch, the insects they eat have already come and gone. The baby birds are starving because nature’s clock is broken.
Loss of Rest Stops (USA): Modern farming methods in the US are destroying the small, shallow ponds where these birds stop to rest during their long journey.
Fish Farming (Chile): In South America, huge commercial salmon and oyster farms are taking over the natural coastlines where these birds spend their winter.
The “UPSC Trap”
The “Indian Bird” Trap: UPSC loves to test geography. They might say the Hudsonian Godwit comes to India during winter (like the Siberian Crane). Incorrect. Its entire journey is strictly across the Americas (North to South).
The “CMS Scope” Trap: A tricky statement might say the CMS (Bonn Convention) only protects land-dwelling mammals. Incorrect. It protects animals on land, in the water (aquatic), and in the air (avian).
UPSC Value Box
| Key Word / Treaty | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ecological Mismatch | When climate change messes up nature’s timing. For example: baby birds hatching after their main food supply is already gone. |
| CMS (Bonn Convention) | A UN agreement where countries join hands to protect animals that cross international borders during their migration. |
Q. With reference to the conservation of migratory species, consider the following statements:
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, exclusively protects migratory birds and excludes aquatic mammals.
‘Ecological Mismatch’ happens when changes in climate cause the life cycles of interacting species (like a bird and its food) to fall out of sync.
The Hudsonian Godwit is a highly threatened migratory bird that travels annually between the Arctic and the wetlands of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (b)
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