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

Key Objectives and Mandate

• CITES aims to regulate international trade in wildlife species to ensure it does not threaten their survival.

• Its mission is to maintain ecological balance by:

• Preventing illegal and unsustainable trade in endangered animals and plants

• Encouraging legal, traceable, and sustainable trade practices

• Enforcing trade controls through permits and certificates

Organizational Structure

• Conference of the Parties (CoP): Held every 2–3 years; adopts species proposals and trade controls

• Standing Committee and Animals/Plants Committees: Technical and policy implementation

• Secretariat: Based in Geneva, facilitates compliance and coordination

• Uses three appendices to categorize species based on trade risk:

• Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction; trade strictly prohibited

• Appendix II: Not necessarily threatened but may become so without regulation

• Appendix III: Species protected in at least one country that seeks assistance in control

India’s Role and Relevance

• India is a vocal and active participant at CITES

• Several key Indian species are listed in Appendices:

• Appendix I: Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard

• Appendix II: Indian Python, Star Tortoise, Sandalwood

• Appendix III: CoP19 proposals by India for Red Sanders and Shisham

• Implements CITES through the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

• India also hosts the WCCB (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) and collaborates with CITES for enforcement

Key Initiatives and Developments

• CoP19 (2022):

• India proposed moving Red Sanders to Appendix II with stricter conditions

• Supported global bans on unsustainable trade in sharks and rosewoods

• E-permitting systems, barcode tagging, and DNA profiling are being implemented for better trade traceability

• India’s recent actions to regulate live animal trade and stop illegal pangolin exports have been coordinated with CITES guidance

• National Board for Wildlife & MoEFCC coordinate CITES implementation in India

Additional Facts

• CITES does not prohibit trade entirely — it regulates trade through documentation

• CITES covers over 38,000 species of animals and plants

• Decisions are binding under international law for member countries

• Funding via party contributions and voluntary donations

• Often linked with organizations like TRAFFIC, INTERPOL, UNODC for enforcement

Relevance for UPSC Exam

• Prelims:

• High probability of questions on Appendices I–III, Indian species listings, trade permits, recent CoP decisions

• Mains (GS3):

• Topics like biodiversity protection, illegal wildlife trade, and India’s compliance with international agreements

• Essay & Interview: Useful in discussions on balancing development with conservation, eco-diplomacy, and India’s leadership in global conservation