Posted on April, 01 2026
In a major milestone for global biodiversity conservation, the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), held in Campo Grande, Brazil, from 23 to 29 March 2026, adopted the Multi-species Action Plan for the conservation of African, Eurasian, and Australian Bustards (the Bustard MsAP). The plan provides a comprehensive, science-based framework aimed at securing the future of one of the world’s most threatened groups of birds.
Bustards, including species such as the Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard and Houbara Bustard found in Pakistan, are iconic components of arid and semi-arid ecosystems. These birds are not only ecologically significant but also culturally important across their range. However, their populations are declining rapidly due to habitat degradation, hunting pressures, infrastructure development, and climate change. Their decline serves as a critical warning signal for the health of fragile ecosystems in Pakistan and beyond.
Recognizing this urgent conservation challenge, the newly adopted Bustard MsAP provides a coordinated global roadmap covering all 26 bustard species across 102 range states. The plan emphasizes science-driven conservation, habitat protection, threat mitigation, and strong community engagement to reverse population declines and ensure long-term survival.
Developed through an extensive consultative process led by the Bustards Without Borders (BWB) consortium, of which WWF-Pakistan is a key partner, the MsAP represents an unprecedented level of international collaboration. The process included a major action planning workshop held in Islamabad, reinforcing Pakistan’s leadership role in global bustard conservation.
During CMS COP15 in Campo Grande, a side event titled “The Bustards MsAP: A Global Framework for Coordinated Bustard Conservation”, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Hungary, brought together leading experts, policymakers, and conservation practitioners to highlight the importance and implementation pathways of the plan.
Speaking at the event, Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, Senior Manager of Research and Conservation at WWF-Pakistan, emphasized the need for practical, on-ground measures, saying that effective bustard conservation requires targeted, science-based actions in key habitats. He highlighted the importance of strengthening protected areas, restoring critical habitats, reducing threats, implementing species-specific interventions, and promoting conservation beyond protected areas at the landscape level.
Highlighting successful European experiences, Éva Fejes from the Ministry of Agriculture, Hungary, noted that bustard conservation can be effectively integrated into agricultural systems when farming practices are aligned with ecological requirements. She emphasized that long-term policy commitment and well-designed agri-environmental schemes, such as maintaining low-intensity, heterogeneous farmland, adjusting the timing of agricultural operations to avoid breeding periods, and minimizing pesticide use have played a key role in supporting both sustainable farming and the recovery of the Pannonian Great Bustard population.
Underscoring the critical role of science, Dr. Mimi Kessler, Chair of the IUCN SSC Bustard Specialist Group emphasized that effective conservation must be grounded in strong scientific evidence and sustained collaboration. She noted that robust research and long-term monitoring are essential to understand population trends, identify key threats, and guide targeted interventions. She further highlighted the need for strengthened partnerships among research institutions, governments, and conservation organizations, along with sustained investment in data collection and monitoring systems, to ensure the successful implementation of the Bustard Multi-species Action Plan.
Highlighting the importance of international cooperation, Dr. Rainer Raab, CEO of TB Raab GmbH Austria noted that coordinated, cross-border conservation efforts have already delivered tangible results in Central Europe. He pointed out that long-term initiatives under the LIFE programme, including habitat management, collaboration with farmers, and measures to reduce mortality, particularly through the marking and undergrounding of power lines, have helped stabilize and even increase Great Bustard populations in parts of Central Europe. He emphasized that such sustained, collaborative approaches demonstrate how well-coordinated action across countries can effectively reverse population declines and secure the future of bustard species.
The MsAP is structured around key pillars, including species conservation, habitat restoration, and community engagement, while also promoting knowledge exchange and harmonized responses to shared threats such as power line collisions, agricultural intensification, and illegal hunting.
For Pakistan, the adoption of the Bustard Multi-species Action Plan (MsAP) presents a significant opportunity to strengthen conservation efforts for species such as the Great Indian Bustard and Houbara Bustard, which face increasing anthropogenic pressures across their habitats. As a key partner, WWF-Pakistan has played an important role in shaping the plan and promoting coordinated action at national and international levels. The endorsement of the MsAP at CMS COP15 reflects growing global recognition of the threats facing bustards and marks a landmark step toward unifying conservation efforts, offering renewed hope for the long-term survival of these iconic species.