India signed the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia, Raptors MoU, raising the number of signatories to 56.  

The Raptors MoU was signed by TP Seetharam, Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates, at a signing ceremony held in the CMS Office, Abu Dhabi, attended by Dr Sheikha Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, EAD, and Dr Salim Javed, Acting Director, Terrestrial Biodiversity (EAD). The Raptors MoU is supported by a Coordinating Unit, funded and hosted since 2009 by EAD, on behalf of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

Over fifty species of migratory raptors listed in the Raptors MoU frequent India. For example, the north-eastern State of Nagaland represents an internationally important stop-over site for at least a million Amur Falcons (Falco amurensis) annually. These small falcons are long-distance migrants on their way to wintering areas in southern Africa from breeding grounds in China and Russia. This represents the largest concentration of any species of bird of prey, anywhere in the world.

The Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change already has a track record of taking decisive action to protect migratory birds of prey. When scientists discovered that the veterinary drug Diclofenac was the primary cause of the Asian Vulture Crisis, the Indian Government banned use of the drug for veterinary purposes in 2006.  

Source: The Gulf Today