The 77th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) held in Geneva, Switzerland, has brought about encouraging developments for India’s efforts towards conservation of wildlife.
Major Outcomes for India from This Meeting
Firstly, India has been able to put an end to a process known as the Review of Significant Trade (RST) that had been ongoing since 2004. The RST is an initiative by the CITES Standing Committee that places heightened scrutiny on a country’s export of a particular species to ascertain whether the convention’s regulations are being effectively enforced. Thanks to consistent compliance and detailed reporting, India is now free from this process, indicating great progress for the growers of Red Sanders in the country.
Red Sanders or Pterocarpus santalinus, a tree species unique to certain districts in Andhra Pradesh, has high market value but has been at risk due to illegal harvesting and smuggling.
India’s Category Shift in CITES National Legislation Program
In another significant move, the recent meeting upgraded India to Category 1 from Category 2 in the CITES National Legislation programme, in recognition of its complete compliance with the requirements of the program. Each party to the CITES must align its national laws to accommodate the provisions of the CITES. To meet these requirements, India amended The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2022 to include the provisions of CITES.
Advocating for Big Cat Conservation
India also urged for the implementation of stricter conservation measures for Big Cats, particularly Asian Big Cats, inviting other range countries and stakeholders to join the International Big Cat Alliance for their conservation, which was initiated by the Indian Prime Minister in April 2023.
Understanding CITES
CITES is an international agreement devised to ensure that trade of wild animals and plants does not endanger the existence of these species. With its inception in 1975, CITES currently has 184 parties, with India becoming the 25th party in 1976.
Although CITES is legally binding on the states, it often requires specific domestic measures for comprehensive implementation. One such measure is the CITES National Legislation Programme, which necessitates national laws to perform the following:
– Designate a Management Authority and a Scientific Authority
– Prohibit and penalize illegal trade
– Confiscate illegally traded or possessed specimens
These national laws are evaluated by the CITES Secretariat concerning these criteria and placed in one of three categories: Category 1 for laws generally meeting CITES implementation requirements; Category 2 for laws generally not meeting all CITES implementation requirements; and Category 3 also for laws generally not meeting CITES implementation requirements.
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The outcomes of the 77th CITES meeting hold significant implications for India’s wildlife conservation efforts. By achieving removal from the Review of Significant Trade for Red Sanders, upgrading to Category 1 in the CITES National Legislation Program, and advocating for stringent conservation measures for Big Cats, India has demonstrated its commitment to preserving its unique biodiversity.
