Community-driven conservation crucial for the survival of migratory species: UN findings

Bonn, Jan 30 (NationPress) Community-driven conservation strategies have emerged as pivotal for the effective preservation of migratory species, according to two significant reports published by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a United Nations wildlife treaty, on Thursday.

The report titled ‘Community Participation and Livelihoods’ highlights 10 essential guiding principles for community-driven conservation approaches, while the study ‘Potential for Community-Based Wildlife Management in Central Asia’ offers tangible insights into how community-led efforts can foster biodiversity conservation and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

Indigenous peoples and local communities oversee more than a third of the world’s most critical areas for biodiversity, playing an essential role in the conservation of migratory species and their ecosystems.

By merging their traditional knowledge and methodologies with contemporary wildlife management practices, successful outcomes in managing, conserving, and sustainably utilizing wildlife and their habitats can be achieved.

“For numerous migratory species, the involvement and expertise of local communities, along with their traditional knowledge, is crucial for effective conservation. We are excited to present these two reports emphasizing the significant role that local communities can fulfill in ensuring the continued prosperity of migratory species for future generations,” stated Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary.

CMS stands as the sole global UN convention dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of migratory species of wild animals and their ecosystems.

Permitted sustainable use applies to species listed on the treaty’s Appendix II, which may encompass both extractive and non-extractive practices, such as tourism and fur use, among others. Species listed under Appendix I are deemed critically endangered throughout all or a significant part of their range, and their utilization is strictly prohibited.

Seasonal migrations and concentrations of wild animals impact local communities differently across regions and necessitate international collaboration, often extending beyond local interactions.

Community-based wildlife management (CBWM) has garnered considerable attention in international policy from both human rights and biodiversity conservation angles.

For instance, several objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMFBG) are especially pertinent to CBWM, including Target 5, which ensures the sustainable, safe, and legal use, harvesting, and trade of wild species, and Target 9, which focuses on linking the benefits from sustainable use to Indigenous peoples and local communities.

To enhance local involvement and maximize effective community participation in conservation efforts, governments convening at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to CMS adopted 10 vital guiding principles regarding community involvement in the conservation of migratory species.

The Community Participation and Livelihoods study illustrates how these principles are operational in practical examples of CBWM experiences globally.