INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

CITES:

It is an international agreement to regulate worldwide commercial trade in wild animal and plant species. It also restricts trade in items made from such plants and animals, such as food, clothing, medicine, and souvenirs. It was signed on March 3, 1973 (Hence world wildlife day is celebrated on March 3).

It is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Secretariat located in Geneva (Switzerland). CITES is legally binding on state parties to the convention, which are obliged to adopt their own domestic legislation to implement its goals.it has three list of species protection based on how threatened.

Appendix I

• It lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants.
• Examples include gorillas, sea turtles, most lady slipper orchids, and giant pandas. Currently 931 species are listed.
• They are threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, for instance for scientific research.

Appendix II

• It lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled.
• Most CITES species are listed in this Appendix, including American Ginseng, Paddlefish, Lions, American Alligators, Mahogany and Many Corals. Currently 34,419 species are listed.

• No import permit is necessary for these species under CITES (although a permit is needed in some countries that have taken stricter measures than CITES requires).
• Permits or certificates should only be granted if the relevant authorities are satisfied that certain conditions are met, above all that trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.

Appendix III

• It is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation.
• Examples include Map Turtles, Walruses and Cape Stag Beetles.Currently 147 species are listed.
• International trade in specimens of species listed in this Appendix is allowed only on presentation of the appropriate permits or certificates.
• Species may be added to or removed from Appendix I and II, or moved between them, only by the Conference of the Parties.

However, species may be added to or removed from Appendix III at any time and by any Party unilaterally.

CITES AND INDIA:

• India is one of the recognized mega-diverse countries of the world, harboring nearly 7-8% of the recorded species of the world, and representing 4 of the 34 globally identified Biodiversity Hotspots(Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, and Sri Lanka, Sundaland).
• India, being a CITES Party, actively prohibits the international trade of endangered wild species and several measures are in place to control threats from invasive alien species (e.g., certificates for exports, permits for imports, etc.).
• India has proposed to Remove Rosewood (Dalbergiasissoo) from Appendix II of CITES in COP-2019. The species grows at a very fast rate and has the capacity to become naturalized outside its native range, it is invasive in other parts of the world as well.
• The regulation of trade in the species is not necessary to avoid it becoming eligible for inclusion in Appendix I in the near future. India has also proposed to transfer small, clawed otters (Aonyxcinereus), smooth coated otters (Lutrogale Perspicillata), Indian Star Tortoise (Geocheloneelegans) from Appendix II to Appendix I, thereby giving more protection to the species.
• The proposal also includes inclusion of Gekko gecko and Wedgefish (Rhinidae) in Appendix II of CITES. The Gekko gecko is traded highly for Chinese traditional medicine.

CONVENTION ON BIODIVERSITY

“…The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international legally-binding treaty with three main goals: conservation of biodiversity; sustainable use of biodiversity…”

 fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Its overall objective is to encourage actions, which will lead to a sustainable future.

The conservation of biodiversity is a common concern of humankind. The Convention on Biological Diversity covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species and genetic resources. It also covers biotechnology, including through the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. In fact, it covers all possible domains that are directly or indirectly related to biodiversity and its role in development, ranging from science, politics and education to agriculture, business, culture and much more.

It is the second Protocol to the CBD; the first is the 2000 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It is a 2010 supplementary agreement to the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Nagoya Protocol is about “Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization”, one of the three objectives of the CBD.