| Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) • It is a global agreement established in 1973 to ensure that international trade in wildlife does not threaten their survival. • It includes 183 countries (Parties) and classifies species into three appendices based on protection needs. • CITES classifies species into three appendices based on the level of protection they need. • Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction. Trade in these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. • Appendix II: Species not necessarily threatened with extinction but whose trade must be controlled to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. • Appendix III: Species protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. |
- India has successfully prevented the inclusion of agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis) in the Review of Significant Trade (RST) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
- CITES has also notified a new export quota for the highly valuable and aromatic resinous wood and oil of the tree from India starting April 2024.
- Agarwood, cultivated mainly in northeastern India, especially in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura, will benefit lakhs of farmers in these regions.
- Aquilaria malaccensis was first listed in Appendix II of CITES in 1995 based on India’s proposal at CoP9 in 1994.
- This category includes species that are not necessarily threatened but require controlled trade.
- India’s removal from the RST for Aquilaria malaccensis was achieved through a non-detriment findings (NDFs) study conducted by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- The NDF suggested that harvesting should be allowed from home and community gardens, plantations on leased/patta lands, private or community plantations, and other small or large-scale plantations.
- However, it emphasized that harvesting from wild populations or protected areas should not be allowed.
- Despite the export ban, illegal trade of agarwood and its derivatives has continued, according to a report by TRAFFIC.
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