Researchers have been intrigued by sightings of certain East Asian birds in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Notably, the Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcites basalis), originally from Australia and New Guinea, the Zappey’s Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cumatilis) from China, and the Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola speciosa) typically associated with Thailand and Cambodia. These birds appear to use the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a rest stop during their migration along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
Understanding Bird Migration
Flyways are essentially the pathways used by migrating birds, covering breeding sites, stopover locations, and wintering habitats. Currently, there are nine known flyways globally. Three among them pass through the Indian subcontinent, creating a fascinating intersection of avian life.
The Central Asian Flyway (CAF)
The Central Asian Flyway serves as a migratory route for a variety of waterbirds. Spanning over 30 countries, this flyway connects the bird’s breeding grounds in Siberia, Russia to wintering territories in West and South Asia, the Maldives, and British Indian Ocean Territory. India plays a pivotal role in the CAF, providing crucial stopover sites for over 90% of bird species using this route.
The East Asian Australasian Flyway (EAAF)
The East Asian Australasian Flyway stretches from Arctic Russia and North America down to Australia and New Zealand. This expansive route covers substantial parts of East Asia, all of Southeast Asia, and extends to eastern India, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Asian East African Flyway (AEAF)
The Asian East African Flyway encompasses a route from Arctic Russia to South Africa and Madagascar in Africa. It covers regions west of the Tibetan plateau and Himalayas, including Central Asia and West Asia. This flyway also touches upon north-western parts of India.
The Role of CMS and Raptor MoU
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) operates under the United Nations Environment Programme. As an international treaty, the CMS or Bonn Convention offers a global platform dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. India joined the CMS on November 1, 1983.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| CMS inception date for India | 1st November 1983 |
| Number of known global flyways | Nine |
| CAF passage through countries | Over 30 |
Raptor MoU – An Agreement for Bird Protection
Alongside the CMS, the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia, or the Raptor MoU, plays a key role in bird conservation. This agreement under CMS promotes coordinated actions geared towards maintaining the favorable conservation status of migratory birds of prey (raptors) across the African-Eurasian region. Notably, India is a signatory of the Raptor MoU, although it is not legally binding.
