Central Asian Flyway (CAF):
Geographic Scope: The CAF covers a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and encompasses several important bird breeding areas in the northern regions, with wintering sites located mainly in the Indian subcontinent. It includes 30 countries.
Key Species: The flyway is crucial for numerous waterbirds, including several species of ducks, geese, swans, waders, gulls, and cranes, many of which are dependent on wetlands for their migratory stopovers and wintering.
Conservation Challenges: Habitat loss and degradation, illegal hunting, and climate change are significant threats to bird populations using this flyway. Conservation efforts are focused on habitat protection, sustainable management of wetlands, and international cooperation among countries.
East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF):
Geographic Scope: Extending from the Arctic Circle in Russia and North America down through East Asia and South to Australia and New Zealand, the EAAF includes 22 countries. It is one of the world’s great flyways and supports the greatest diversity of shorebird species of any flyway globally.
Key Species: This flyway supports over 50 million birds, including at least 32 globally threatened species. Shorebirds, such as the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper and the bar-tailed godwit, rely on the flyway for their migratory routes.
Conservation Challenges: Birds face threats from habitat destruction and degradation, particularly in critical stopover sites like the Yellow Sea’s tidal flats. Efforts include international collaboration for habitat conservation, research and monitoring, and policies that mitigate threats to migratory birds.
Connecting CAF and EAAF with the ‘Patna Declaration’:
The ‘Patna Declaration’ aims to enhance bird conservation initiatives, particularly addressing challenges such as illegal hunting and habitat loss, which are common issues in both the CAF and EAAF regions. By focusing on collaborative efforts, habitat conservation, and stringent measures against illegal hunting, the declaration can significantly contribute to the conservation of migratory birds in these flyways.
Conservation Importance:
Migratory birds contribute to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and act as indicators of the health of ecosystems. Protecting these birds requires international cooperation, as their migratory paths cross national boundaries. The CAF and EAAF highlight the global nature of bird migration and the need for concerted efforts to ensure their survival.
SRIRAM’s
