The Thirteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP-13), a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats, was hosted by India from 15th-22nd February 2020 at Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar in Gujrat.
CMS brings together the countries through which migratory animals pass and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range. The convention was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 17.02.2020. According to UNEP website, this was the first CMS COP which was inaugurated by a host-country Head of Government. In his opening address, the Prime Minister noted that the conservation of wildlife and habitats has long been part of the cultural ethos of India.
India has been a party to CMS since 1983. As per the UNEP website, CMS COP13 was the largest ever in the history of the Convention, with 2,550 people attending including 263 delegates representing 82 Parties, 11 delegates from 5 non-Party countries, 50 representatives from United Nations agencies, 70 representatives of international NGOs, 127 representatives of national NGOs and over 100 members of both national and international media.
During the convention, apart from the core agenda, various side events were held to discuss the wildlife conservation strategies being adopted by the different parties as well as enforcing agencies.
The pavilions were setup by the representing countries as well as the different PSUs such as NTPC Ltd., Power Grid Corporation of India, ONGC, Coal India etc. as well as State Government Departments such as Forest Departments of different states, Wildlife Trust of India etc. highlighting the biological conservation measures they have undertaken.
NHPC had also set up its pavilion at the COP and showcased the efforts and contributions it has put in for environmental conservation as an environmentally conscious organization.
A team of officials from Environment & Diversity Management Division were present at the pavilion to apprise the visitors and visiting dignitaries of the contributions of NHPC in the field of sustainable development and environment restoration and conservation.
– Dharampal Rathore, Dy. General Manager (Environment)
– Jaspreet Singh, Senior Manager (Environment)
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