About Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS):

• CMS also referred to as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme. 
• It was signed in Bonn, Germany, on 23 June 1979.
• It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats.
• CMS is the only global and UN-based intergovernmental organisation established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
• The parties to the convention acknowledge the importance of conserving migratory species, and the need to pay special attention to species whose conservation status is unfavourable.
• Activities by CMS Parties may range from legally binding treaties (called Agreements) to less formal instruments, such as Memoranda of Understanding.
• The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this convention. 
• CMS has two Appendices.  These appendices list migratory species to which the Convention applies.
  • Appendix I lists endangered migratory species and includes prohibitions regarding the take of these species.
  • Appendix II lists species that have an ‘unfavourable conservation status’ (as per the conditions set out in the Convention) and encourages range states to draft range-wide agreements for conservation and management of these species.
• India and CMS:
  • India has been a party to the CMS since 1983.
  • India has also signed non-legally binding MOU with CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016).