Hudsonian Godwit and CMS — 42 Migratory Species Proposed for Global Protection
🗞️ Why in News At the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) meeting in Brazil in March 2026, the Hudsonian Godwit — whose population has declined by 95% over four decades — and 42 other migratory species were proposed for enhanced international protection.
The Hudsonian Godwit — A Marathon Migrant in Peril
The Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) undertakes one of the most extraordinary migrations in the animal kingdom:
Migration Profile
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual migration distance | ~30,000 km |
| Breeding grounds | Arctic Canada and Alaska |
| Wintering grounds | Patagonia, southern South America |
| Non-stop flight legs | Up to 10,000 km without rest |
| Population decline | 95% over 4 decades |
| IUCN status | Near Threatened |
| Family | Scolopacidae (sandpipers and allies) |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
Why Is It Declining?
- Habitat loss at stopover sites: The godwit relies on specific wetlands along its route for refuelling — destruction of these wetlands leaves it with no energy reserves
- Climate change: Shifting seasons disrupt the timing of insect emergence in the Arctic, which the birds depend on for breeding
- Coastal development: Mudflats and estuaries used for feeding are being converted for ports, aquaculture, and urbanisation
- Hunting: Still legally hunted in parts of South America
CMS/Bonn Convention — The Framework
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also called the Bonn Convention, is the only global convention dedicated specifically to migratory species.
Key Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 1979, Bonn, Germany |
| Entered into force | 1983 |
| Parties | 133 countries (including India) |
| India ratified | 1983 |
| Secretariat | Bonn, Germany (under UNEP) |
| Appendix I | Endangered migratory species — strictest protection |
| Appendix II | Species needing cooperative agreements |
CMS Conferences of Parties (COPs)
| COP | Year | Location | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| COP13 | 2020 | Gandhinagar, India | Central Asian Flyway Action Plan launched |
| COP14 | 2024 | Samarkand, Uzbekistan | State of World’s Migratory Species report |
| Current meeting | 2026 | Brazil | 42+ species proposed for listing |
The State of Migratory Species Report (COP14)
- 44% of CMS-listed species have declining populations
- 22% of species listed face extinction threat
- Habitat loss and overexploitation are the top threats
- Climate change is the fastest-growing threat
The 42 Proposed Species
The March 2026 CMS meeting in Brazil proposed enhanced protection for 42 species across categories:
Birds
- Hudsonian Godwit (star species — 95% decline)
- Several shorebirds and raptors using the Americas flyway
- Seabirds affected by plastic pollution and overfishing
Marine Species
- Several shark and ray species facing bycatch mortality
- Sea turtles with declining nesting success
Terrestrial Mammals
- Migratory ungulates in Central Asia and Africa
Why This Matters for India
India is one of the world’s most important countries for migratory species:
Central Asian Flyway (CAF)
- Passes through India
- Covers 30 countries
- Hosts approximately 280 waterbird species
- India launched the Central Asian Flyway Action Plan at CMS COP13 in Gandhinagar (2020)
Key Indian Wetlands for Migratory Birds
| Wetland | State | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | Largest coastal lagoon in India; Ramsar site |
| Keoladeo NP | Rajasthan | UNESCO World Heritage Site; Siberian Crane habitat |
| Wular Lake | J&K | Largest freshwater lake in India; Ramsar site |
| Harike Wetland | Punjab | Confluence of Sutlej and Beas; Ramsar site |
| Sultanpur NP | Haryana | Over 250 bird species including migratory |
| Point Calimere | Tamil Nadu | Greater Flamingo wintering ground |
India’s Migratory Species Framework
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Protects migratory species in Indian territory
- Ramsar Convention signatory: 80+ Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance)
- Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS): India’s premier ornithological body (established 1883)
- Important Bird Areas (IBAs): 554 identified by BirdLife International/BNHS
Bar-tailed Godwit — The Record Holder
For comparison, the Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) holds the record for the longest non-stop flight by any bird: 13,560 km from Alaska to New Zealand without stopping (tracked via satellite in 2020). This species is also declining due to habitat loss in the Yellow Sea.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: CMS/Bonn Convention, Appendix I vs II, COP13 Gandhinagar, Central Asian Flyway, Ramsar Convention, Hudsonian Godwit IUCN status Mains GS-III: Biodiversity conservation, transboundary environmental governance, wetland protection
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Hudsonian Godwit:
- Scientific name: Limosa haemastica
- Migration: ~30,000 km annually (Arctic to Patagonia)
- Population decline: 95% in 4 decades
- IUCN status: Near Threatened
- Family: Scolopacidae
- Order: Charadriiformes
CMS/Bonn Convention:
- Adopted: 1979, Bonn, Germany
- Parties: 133 (including India, ratified 1983)
- Appendix I: Endangered — strictest protection
- Appendix II: Cooperative agreements needed
- Secretariat: Bonn, under UNEP
- COP13: Gandhinagar (2020) — CAF Action Plan
- COP14: Samarkand (2024)
Central Asian Flyway:
- Countries: 30
- Waterbird species: ~280
- India: Key stopover and wintering country
- Action Plan: Launched at CMS COP13, Gandhinagar
India’s Ramsar Sites:
- Total: 80+ (as of 2025)
- Largest: Sundarbans, West Bengal
- Highest altitude: Tso Kar, Ladakh
- Most sites: Tamil Nadu
Other Relevant Facts:
- Bar-tailed Godwit: Longest non-stop flight record — 13,560 km (Alaska to NZ)
- BNHS: Bombay Natural History Society (est. 1883, Mumbai)
- IBAs in India: 554 (BirdLife International)
- Siberian Crane: Critically Endangered, formerly visited Keoladeo NP (last seen 2002)
- Amur Falcon: Migratory raptor, passes through Nagaland (largest congregation globally)
Sources: CMS, Down to Earth, BNHS