Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 

The raptor population in Pakistan is fast declining due to multifarious factors. The Raptors Conservation Strategy under CMS guidelines will aim to conserve raptor species in Pakistan with special focus on critically threatened species of birds of prey. Declining raptors population due to various threats including illegal excessive trapping, electrocution, climate change, habitat loss along with raptors data deficiency and no facility available in Pakistan dealing with care for sick or injured raptors with the goal of returning them to the wild are the basic components which need to be addressed and are also more endangering to many threatened species.

The Ministry of Climate Change Islamabad (MoCC) is committed to protect birds of prey under CMS & CITES conventions with the support of provinces and other stakeholders. This action plan also recommends necessary conservation actions addressing the threats identified by the Convention of Migratory Species CMS for the initiatives based on multi CMS resolutions adopted during COP meetings as follows:

• UNEP/CMS Resolution 11.14 Programme of Work on Migratory Birds and Flyways)to address rapid declines of actions towards the implementation of the Raptors MoU, as well as any other activities related to the conservation.
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 10.10 global flyway conservation and options for policy arrangements
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 10.11 power lines and migratory birds
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 5.9 (Rev.COP12) endorsement of action plans for selected Appendix I and II migratory birds
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 7.2 (Rev.COP12) impact assessment and migratory species
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 10.18(Rev.COP12) guidelines on the integration of migratory species into national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) and other outcomes from CBD COP10
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 11.16 (Rev.COP12) the prevention of illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory birds
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 11.18 (Rev.COP12) saker falcon (falco cherrug) global action plan (SAKERGAP) including a management and monitoring system, to conserve the species
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 12.10 conservation of african-eurasian vultures
• UNEP/CMS/Resolution 10.28 parties to develop action plan including management and monitoring system to conserve the species.

There is a significant increase in the number of raptors that are reported and recovered every year by law enforcement authorities which is indicating serious threats due to illegal activities, such as poaching and trapping of raptors species listed in CMS Appendix I and Category 1 of Raptors MoU. Many birds of prey are found wounded; some are seized from illegal keepers, by the authorities. Those birds need a special treatment to get ready for release back to nature, Action plan will help providing temporary care to injured, sick, or orphaned raptors with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. This includes the ability to recognize and find appropriate foods, socialize and reproduce with members of its own species, and exhibit normal behaviors such as fear of humans and predator avoidance in the wild.

The main objective of this workshop is to implement conservation measures to prevent extinction of birds of prey in the country, which aims to collect data and networking for preparation and implementation of raptors multi species National Action Plan under CMS guidelines along with providing basic facilities for research, rescue, education, rehabilitation and conservation to develop an awareness programme for birds of prey in Pakistan.