New Delhi:Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said "fear psychosis" is being created over novel coronavirus and dismissed the suggestion that migratory birds could be the reason behind its spread.
No link between coronavirus, migratory birds: Prakash Javadekar Speaking ahead of the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) of wild animals, to be held next week in Gujarat, Javadekar said there was no relation between migratory birds and the virus. "Let's not create a fear psychosis on the subject. There is no connection between coronavirus with migratory birds. As far as diseases or viruses from birds and animals are concerned, the conference will discuss these issues," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the CMS COP 13.
Representatives from 130 countries will be taking part in this conference.
"Hosting CMS COP-13 is a significant step towards wildlife conservation in India. Government of India has been taking necessary action to protect and conserve migratory Marine species," said the Union Environment Minister.
The seven species identified for conservation and recovery action plan include Dugong, Whale Shark, and two species of Marine Turtle, among others.
The Indian subcontinent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e. the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), which covers areas between Arctic and Indian oceans. At least 279 population of 182 migratory waterbird species and 29 globally threatened species cover this flyway.
The theme of CMS COP-13 in India is 'Athithi Devo Bhava' which signifies "migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home."
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The mascot for the conference is "Gibi- The Great Indian Bustard" which is a critically endangered species and has been accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
