CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
Overview
- CITES, which stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is an international agreement.
- Aimed at ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
- Adopted in 1973 and administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), CITES is considered one of the most important global conservation agreements.
Key Facts
- CITES currently has 183 member countries, making it one of the world’s most widely adhered-to conservation agreements.
- The agreement regulates international trade in over 38,000 species of plants and animals, including their parts and derivatives.
- Species listed under CITES are categorized into three appendices based on the level of protection they require:
- Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction, and trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
- Appendix II includes species that, although not necessarily threatened with extinction, may become so unless trade is closely controlled.
- Appendix III includes species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.
Protection of Species
- The African elephant is one of the most iconic species protected under CITES. It is listed in Appendix I due to the severe threat posed by poaching for its ivory tusks.
- Tigers are listed in Appendix I as well, given the significant pressures they face from habitat loss and poaching for their body parts, which are used in traditional medicine.
- Timber species such as rosewood are included in Appendix II due to concerns about unsustainable logging practices and illegal trade..
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