- CITES, an international convention, is designed to prevent the extinction or endangerment of species due to trade.
- This agreement facilitates global collaboration, with participating nations working together to regulate the international trade of plant and animal species, ensuring that such trade does not pose a threat to the survival of wild populations.
- Under the provisions of CITES, any trade involving species protected by the convention must be sustainable and align with established biological principles.
- While CITES is a binding agreement among its parties, it does not serve as a substitute for national legislation.
- Instead, it provides a framework that each participating country must incorporate into its domestic laws to effectively implement CITES at the national level.
- CITES offers protection to over 37,000 animal and plant species traded in various forms, such as live specimens, fur coats, or dried herbs.
- The convention establishes a comprehensive approach to conservation, emphasizing the need for sustainable trade practices to safeguard biodiversity.
CITES – Classification (Appendix)
CITES categorizes plants and animals into three groups based on the level of threat they face. The convention, which safeguards approximately 5,600 animal species and 30,000 plant species from overexploitation through international trade, designates these groups into specific CITES Appendices:
CITES Appendix-I
- Description: Includes species that are at risk of extinction, prohibiting commercial trade. Permits are required for both import and export. Commerce is allowed for scientific purposes only if the country of origin ensures that the transaction won’t jeopardize the species’ survival.
- Examples of Species: Asiatic lions, tigers (tiger skin trade), sea turtles, gorillas, lady slippers orchids. Approximately 931 species are listed in this category.
CITES Appendix-II
- Description: Encompasses species that require monitoring to ensure trade poses no imminent threat and includes those similar to other listed species. Legal trade authorizations are necessary, and trade is allowed only if the nation of origin guarantees that harvesting and trade won’t harm the species’ chances of survival.
- Examples of Species: American Alligators, Paddlefish, Mahogany, corals. The list comprises around 34,419 species.
CITES Appendix-III
- Description: Involves species with legal protection in at least one nation. Export licenses can be granted by the requesting nation, while export from other countries requires a certificate of origin. Different regulations may apply to these species.
- Examples of Species: Honey badger (used for medicinal purposes), Walruses, Map turtles, certain beetles. Approximately 147 species are included in this list.
CITES – Conference of the Parties (COPs)
The Conference of the Parties serves as the collective term for the CITES Parties, convening every two to three years to assess the practical implementation of the Convention. These gatherings, often referred to as “CoPs,” extend over two weeks and take place in one of the participating Parties’ locations.
The primary objectives of the conferences are to:
- Review conservation progress for species listed in the Appendices.
- Consider and potentially adopt proposals for changes to the lists of species in Appendices I and II.
- Deliberate on discussion documents and reports from Parties, permanent committees, the Secretariat, and working groups.
- Make recommendations for enhancing the Convention’s effectiveness and establishing essential arrangements, including budgetary considerations, for the efficient operation of the Secretariat.
CITES – ROLE IN CONSERVATION
- Over the past several decades, CITES has played a pivotal role in global species conservation.
- The Parties have endorsed a five-year strategic vision to guide CITES until 2013, outlining the following objectives:
- Ensure strict adherence, implementation, and enforcement of the Convention.
- Secure the necessary financial resources and means for the operation and implementation of the Convention.
- Contribute significantly to slowing the rate of biodiversity loss by fostering coherence and mutual support between CITES and other multilateral instruments and processes.
INDIA – CITES
- India became a party to CITES in 1976, ratifying the convention.
- Notably, India stands out among CITES Parties for its extensive utilization of Appendix III.
- The country is renowned for hosting 7-8% of all species documented by CITES globally, owing to its incredible biodiversity.
- The implementation of CITES in India is overseen by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
FAQs: TRADE IN ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA
1. What is CITES, and why was it established?
A: CITES, or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is an international convention aimed at preventing the extinction or endangerment of species due to trade. It was established to facilitate global collaboration in regulating the international trade of plant and animal species and ensuring that such trade does not pose a threat to the survival of wild populations.
2. How does CITES work to protect endangered species?
A: CITES categorizes species into different appendices based on the level of threat they face. It regulates trade in these species by requiring permits and authorizations. The convention emphasizes sustainable trade practices and works in collaboration with participating nations to ensure the conservation of biodiversity.
3. Is CITES legally binding, and how does it relate to national legislation?
A: CITES is a legally binding international agreement among its parties. However, it does not replace national legislation. Instead, it provides a framework that each participating country must incorporate into its domestic laws to effectively implement CITES at the national level.
4. What types of species does CITES protect, and in what forms can they be traded?
A: CITES provides protection to over 37,000 animal and plant species traded in various forms, such as live specimens, fur coats, or dried herbs. The convention takes a comprehensive approach to conservation, addressing different aspects of the trade to safeguard biodiversity.
5. How does CITES classify species into different appendices?
A: CITES categorizes species into three appendices based on the level of threat they face. Appendix-I includes species at risk of extinction, Appendix-II includes species requiring monitoring to prevent threats, and Appendix-III includes species with legal protection in at least one nation.
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