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Union Minister Highlights Success at CITES Standing Committee Meeting

  • 16 Nov 2023

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Labour and Employment expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the recently concluded CITES Standing Committee meeting (from November 6th to 10th, 2023), emphasizing its significant positive impact on India's wildlife and ecosystem conservation efforts.

Key Points

  • CITES Legislation Elevated in India: The minster announced that, following the Wildlife Act amendment, India's CITES legislation has been placed in Category 1 of the National Legislation Project of CITES.
  • Red Sanders Review of Significant Trade (RST) Process Resolved: India, under the RST process for Red Sanders since 2004, has been removed from the Review of Significant Trade. This development is particularly beneficial for farmers engaged in Red Sanders cultivation.
  • Red Sanders Species Context: Red sanders, a high-value tree species native to Andhra Pradesh, faces threats from illegal harvesting and smuggling. While wild depletion is a concern, legal export from plantations contributes significantly.
  • Removal of Red Sanders from RST Process: Continuous engagement with the CITES Secretariat, Standing Committee, and Plants Committee led to the removal of Red Sanders from the RST process in the 77th meeting.
  • This unconditional action supports farmers, promoting sustainable income through Red Sanders cultivation.
  • India's Compliance with CITES National Legislation: India amended the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in 2022 to align with CITES provisions.
  • The CITES Standing Committee, in its 77th meeting, acknowledged India's full compliance, upgrading its status to Category 1 in the CITES National Legislation program.
  • Conservation Efforts for Big Cats: India advocated stringent measures for Big Cat conservation at the CITES meeting, emphasizing the importance of the Asian Big Cats.
  • The appeal to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in April 2023, was also made during India's interventions.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Overview

  • International agreement between governments.
  • Aims to prevent international trade from threatening the survival of wild animal and plant species.

Origins and Establishment

  • Drafted in 1963 after a resolution at a meeting of IUCN (The World Conservation Union).
  • Came into force in 1975.
  • Administered by UNEP, the CITES Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • India hosted COP-3 in 1981.

Parties and Adherence

  • States and regional economic integration organizations adhere voluntarily.
  • Parties are the states that have agreed to be bound by the Convention.
  • Legally binding on Parties, requiring them to implement the Convention without replacing national laws.

Functioning of CITES

  • Controls international trade through a licensing system for selected species.
  • Requires authorization for import, export, re-export, and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention.
  • Each Party designates Management Authorities and Scientific Authorities to administer the licensing system and provide advice on the effects of trade on species.

Appendices and Species Protection

  • Appendices categorize species based on the degree of protection they need.
    • Appendix I: Includes species threatened with extinction. Trade is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
    • Appendix II: Includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but trade must be controlled to avoid threats to their survival.
    • Appendix III: Contains species protected in at least one country, seeking assistance from other CITES Parties in controlling the trade.
  • Changes to Appendix III follow a distinct procedure from changes to Appendices I and II, allowing each Party to make unilateral amendments.