50th Anniversary of CITES

Why in news?

Recently, the CITES marked its 50^th anniversary at CoP20 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

• CITES – The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments.
• Aim – To ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
• Origins – In 1963, the idea was proposed at an IUCN (World Conservation Union) meeting, it entered into force on 1 July 1975.
• Membership – As of 2025, CITES has 185 Parties, including India, making it one of the largest conservation agreements (most recent to join – Turkmenistan).

Key Aspects of CITES

• Scope – It covers over 40,000 species, including live specimens, parts, and derivatives (like skins, tusks, timber).
• Secretariat – It is administered by UNEP, located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• COP – The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme consensus-based decision-making body, comprises all its parties.
• Appendices –
  • Appendix I – Species threatened with extinction (trade strictly controlled).
  • Appendix II – Species not immediately threatened but could become so (trade monitored).
  • Appendix III – Species listed by specific countries to regulate trade.
• Permits – It requires CITES permits or certificates for legal, sustainable trade, issued by national authorities.
• Governing Body – The CITES Secretariat manages the convention, with policy guidance from the Standing Committee (SC).
• CITES in India – Both the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (statutory body under the Ministry) are meant to combat wildlife crime.
• It assists and advises the customs authorities in the inspection of the consignments of flora and fauna as per the provisions of the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972.

Quick Fact

References

1. SDG Knowledge Hub | %0^th Anniversary of CITES
2. CITES | CITES
3. CITES | COP 20 of CITES