TOPIC: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna & flora.
- It is a brainchild of IUCN and was created in 1973 but came into effect in 1975.
- It is also known as Washington Convention.
- It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Its Secretariat is administered by UNEP.
- India became a member in 1976.
- Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Thus, it aims to stop illicit trade activities.
- It is legally binding on the parties, but still it does not take the place of their respective national laws.
- Rather, it provides a framework which is respected by each party.
- So the parties have to make laws to regulate export and import of wildlife species.
- Conference of Parties (CoP) to CITES is held every three years.
- CoP-16 was held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2013 where some African and Asian countries were reprimanded for making insufficient efforts. It has been found that domesic trade in Tiger parts is nurtured and encouraged in China. This is a great cause of concern for India.
- CoP-17 will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa in September- October, 2016.
Read More: Climate Change Organisations
