CITES

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

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Understanding CITES

Full Title & Common Name

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known as CITES or the Washington Convention.

Nature of the Convention

  • An international agreement between governments (intergovernmental treaty).
  • Aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
  • Provides a framework for regulating and monitoring international trade in endangered species and their products.
  • Legally binding on Parties, but requires national legislation for implementation.
  • Near-universal membership: 184 Parties (183 countries + European Union). India joined in 1976.

Adoption & Entry into Force

1963

Drafted as a result of a resolution adopted at a meeting of members of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

March 3, 1973

Adopted in Washington D.C., USA. World Wildlife Day is celebrated on this date annually.

July 1, 1975

Entered into force.

Objective of CITES

To protect endangered plants and animals from over-exploitation through international trade by subjecting trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. It aims to ensure that international trade is sustainable and does not lead to species extinction.

How CITES Works: The Appendices

CITES works by categorizing species into three Appendices, based on the degree of protection they need:

Appendix I Species Threatened with Extinction

Species Included: Species threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade.

Trade Regulations: International commercial trade in wild-taken specimens is prohibited, except in exceptional circumstances (e.g., scientific research, captive breeding). Requires both export and import permits under stringent conditions, including a scientific finding of no detriment to survival and legal acquisition.

Examples: Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Elephant (some populations/products), Rhinoceroses, Great Apes, Giant Panda, Snow Leopard, Sea Turtles (most), many parrots, orchids, cacti, pangolins.

Appendix II Species Requiring Strict Regulation

Species Included: Species not necessarily threatened now, but may become so unless trade is strictly regulated. Also includes "look-alike" species.

Trade Regulations: International trade is permitted but regulated. Requires an export permit (or re-export certificate). Import permit generally not required by CITES unless national law dictates. Export permits require a non-detriment finding and proof of legal acquisition.

Examples: American Alligator, many corals, some medicinal plants (Hoodia), many snake species, some parrots and birds of prey, some timber species (rosewoods, African teak). The vast majority of CITES-listed species are in Appendix II.

Appendix III Species Protected in at Least One Country

Species Included: Species protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling trade.

Trade Regulations: International trade is permitted. Requires an export permit if from the listing country, or a certificate of origin if from other countries.

Examples: Walrus (Canada), Two-toed Sloth (Costa Rica), Red-breasted Toucan (Honduras). India has listed species like some snakes and turtles.

Key Mechanisms & Bodies

Conference of the Parties (CoP)

Supreme decision-making body, meets every 2-3 years. Reviews implementation, amends Appendices, adopts resolutions.

Standing Committee

Provides policy guidance and oversees Secretariat's budget between CoP meetings.

Animals & Plants Committees

Scientific advisory bodies providing technical advice on species matters.

CITES Secretariat

Administered by UNEP (Geneva). Plays a coordinating, advisory, and servicing role.

National CITES Authorities

Each Party designates:

  • Management Authority (MA): Issues permits, enforces regulations, communicates. (In India: Director of Wildlife Preservation, MoEFCC).
  • Scientific Authority (SA): Advises MA on scientific matters, conducts Non-Detriment Findings. (In India: BSI, ZSI, WII, ICFRE, CMFRI for different species groups).

Core Processes & Enforcement

Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs)

A crucial scientific assessment by the exporting country's Scientific Authority before an export permit for Appendix I or II species is issued. It must conclude that the proposed export will not harm the species' survival in the wild. This is key for ensuring sustainable trade.

Implementation and Enforcement

  • Relies on national laws and enforcement agencies (customs, police, wildlife authorities).
  • Parties must prohibit trade violating CITES, penalize such trade, and confiscate illegal specimens.
  • International cooperation (e.g., INTERPOL, World Customs Organization, regional networks like SAWEN) is vital.
TRAFFIC Logo

TRAFFIC

The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network, an NGO, monitors trade and provides information to CITES and governments.

CITES and India

India became a Party to CITES in 1976 and plays an active role in its implementation and development.

  • India has strong domestic legislation, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which implements CITES provisions alongside the Customs Act.
  • Actively participates in CoP meetings, often advocating for stronger protection for its native species.
  • Recognized as both a source and transit country for illegal wildlife trade.

Significant Indian Species under CITES:

Appendix I:
  • Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Asian Elephant
  • Snow Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros
  • Pangolins (all species)
  • Red Sanders, Shahtoosh (Tibetan Antelope)
  • Several orchid species
Appendix II:
  • Many medicinal plants
  • Some timber species
  • Some snake and lizard species
Appendix III (examples listed by India):
  • Common Palm Civet
  • Some mongoose species

Impact of CITES

Successes

Prevention of Extinctions

Credited with saving species like some crocodiles, vicuña, and parrots from extinction due to trade.

Trade Regulation Framework

Established global rules for trade in tens of thousands of species.

Awareness & Cooperation

Increased global awareness and fostered international cooperation on wildlife trade.

Catalyst for National Action

Prompted countries to strengthen national wildlife trade laws and enforcement.

Challenges & Criticisms

Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT)

Remains a massive illicit industry, often linked to organized crime and corruption.

Implementation Gaps

Effectiveness depends on Parties' capacity and political will; resource lack in developing countries.

NDF Robustness

Ensuring NDFs are scientifically sound and free from commercial pressure is difficult.

Other Threats

Primarily addresses trade, not habitat loss or domestic consumption directly.

Emerging Threats

Online trade, issues with captive-bred specimens, trade in unlisted species.

Case Study: The Fight Against Elephant Ivory Trade

Background: African elephants were heavily poached for ivory in the 1970s-80s. Asian elephant males also poached for tusks.

CITES Action:

  • African elephant initially Appendix II (some regulated trade).
  • Uplisted to Appendix I in 1989 (international commercial ivory trade ban), leading to initial poaching drop.
  • Later, some southern African populations downlisted to Appendix II, allowing controversial one-off sales of stockpiled ivory (1999, 2008). Some argue this stimulated demand and renewed poaching.
  • Resurgence in poaching from late 2000s due to Asian demand.
  • CITES CoPs now generally consensus against further international commercial ivory trade; many countries have domestic bans.

Significance: Illustrates complexities of managing high-value species trade, enforcement challenges, sustainable use vs. ban controversies, dynamic CITES listings, and importance of demand reduction.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims Focus Areas
  • CITES (full form, adoption/entry, objectives).
  • The three Appendices (criteria, trade regulations).
  • Key bodies (CoP, Secretariat, MA, SA).
  • Concept of NDF.
  • World Wildlife Day.
  • India's membership, role of WLPA 1972.
  • Examples of Indian species in Appendices.
  • TRAFFIC.
Mains (GS Paper III) Focus Areas
  • CITES objectives, mechanisms, effectiveness, challenges.
  • Role of CITES & domestic laws in combating illegal wildlife trade in India.
  • Links to environmental crime, global governance, conservation policy.

Related Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

UPSC Prelims 2019:

"With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
  2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
  3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

Select the correct answer using the code given below."

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) (IUCN is not a UN organ in the same way as UNEP. Statement 1 part 1 is incorrect).

Conceptual Prelims Question:

"Consider the following statements:

  1. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, provides for the protection of listed species of animals, birds and plants, and also for the establishment of a network of ecologically-important protected areas.
  2. CITES is an international agreement that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?"

(This tests basic understanding; both statements are correct).