BirdLife International
| Column | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – Established: 1922 (as International Council for Bird Preservation). – Mission: To conserve birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. – Scope: Operates in over 100 countries, addressing avian conservation through scientific research, advocacy, and community engagement. |
| Objectives | – Prevent Extinctions: Protect bird species at risk of extinction. – Conserve Habitats: Safeguard and restore critical habitats for birds. – Promote Sustainability: Encourage sustainable use of natural resources. – Empower Local Communities: Support communities in conservation efforts through training, resources, and partnerships. |
| Members (Dec 2024) | – Global Presence: Comprises 123 national partners. – India’s Status: Represented by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which is actively engaged in BirdLife’s global initiatives and contributes to avian conservation in India. |
| Reports/Indices | – State of the World’s Birds 2022: A flagship science report evaluating the status, trends, and conservation needs of the world’s bird species. It highlights that nearly half of all bird species are in decline. – State of the World’s Birds: 2024 Annual Update: Provides insights into changes in the conservation status and trends of bird species globally during 2023. – Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) Reports: Detailed analyses of critical sites for bird conservation, offering data on habitat conditions and threats. |
| Instruments | – Red List Index: Measures trends in the extinction risk of bird species, serving as a key biodiversity indicator. – IBA Protection Index: Monitors the protection status and conservation progress of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. – BirdLife Data Zone: A centralized online platform offering data on bird species, IBAs, and conservation priorities. |
| Structure | – Global Council: Governs the partnership and provides strategic direction. – Regional Committees: Coordinate activities and strategies within geographic regions. – National Partners: Independent organizations in each country responsible for implementing BirdLife’s mission locally. |
| Subsidiary Organs | – Migratory Birds and Flyways Programme: Focuses on the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats along key flyways. – Preventing Extinctions Programme: Targets species at high risk of extinction with dedicated conservation actions. |
| Committees | – Science Committee: Advises on research priorities and methodologies. – Policy and Advocacy Committee: Develops and promotes conservation policies at national and international levels. |
| Initiatives | – Regional Flyway Initiative: Established in 2022 to sustainably manage and preserve important wetlands across the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, with projects such as the one at South Dongting Lake in China. – Americas Flyway Initiative: Launched in 2023, this hemispheric approach focuses on protecting and restoring critical migratory routes and habitats across the Americas. – Preventing Extinctions Programme: Mobilizes resources and expertise to protect bird species at imminent risk of extinction. – Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) Programme: Identifies and conserves critical sites for bird conservation worldwide, prioritizing actions and policies for preserving these habitats. |
