Explanation for above question • The Convention on Internatio | Tirumal Classes IAS Academy

Explanation for above question

• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an
international agreement between Governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of
wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
o CITES entered into force in July 1975. Currently, there are 183 Parties (include countries or regional
economic integration organizations).
• The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP (The United Nations Environment Programme) and
is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• CITES is legally binding on the Parties, it does not take the place of national laws. Hence statement 2 is
correct.
o It provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adopt its own domestic
legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level.
o Appendix I:
✓ It lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants.
✓ 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.
o Appendix II:
✓ It lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so
unless trade is closely controlled.
o 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.
✓ International trade in specimens of species listed in this Appendix is allowed only on presentation
of the appropriate permits or certificates.