Context:
Central Asian nations, including India, have endorsed a six-year transboundary conservation plan under the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) to protect 17 migratory mammal species across Central Asia’s vast ecological corridors. The plan aims to enhance regional cooperation to address shared threats like habitat loss, illegal hunting, and climate change impacts.
About Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI)
The Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) is a collaborative conservation framework under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). It seeks to ensure the survival and ecological connectivity of migratory and nomadic mammal species across the Central Asian landscape.
- Established in:
- 2014, during COP11 of CMS held in Quito, Ecuador.
- Updated at: COP13 (2020) in Gandhinagar, India, to expand scope and align with global biodiversity goals.
Aim
- To preserve migratory connectivity and ecological corridors across borders.
- To combat major threats such as habitat fragmentation, illegal poaching, infrastructure barriers, and climate-induced migration shifts.
- To strengthen regional cooperation among participating countries for joint conservation and monitoring efforts.
Key Features
- Coverage: Protects 17 flagship migratory species, including:
- Saiga antelope
- Snow leopard
- Wild camel
- Urial (mountain sheep)
- Argali (wild sheep)
- Bukhara deer
- Persian leopard
- Approach:
- Promotes ecosystem-level management rather than species-specific conservation.
- Emphasizes removal of migration barriers like border fences and infrastructure.
- Encourages data sharing, joint surveys, and harmonized policy actions among member countries.
- Stakeholders:
- Governments of Central and South Asian countries
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Local communities involved in wildlife stewardship
India’s Role
- India is a key signatory to the CMS and CAMI framework.
- Actively contributes through the Project Snow Leopard and Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) schemes.
- Strengthens its conservation diplomacy through engagement in transboundary species management and data collaboration with Central Asian neighbours.
