Specifications of CITES

The convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a multilateral environmental agreement. This is a global initiative among the countries to regulate the trading of endangered species of flora and fauna.

This convention was signed in Washington D.C on 3^rd March 1973. And opened for signature until 30^th April 1973. It was exerted into enforcement on 1^st July 1975. 21 countries addressed this issue of threat to living species of flora and fauna and signed this Convention. There are 183 parties involved in this convention.  Pakistan also ratified this convention to prohibit the species to be extinct and conserve endangered species of the World.

The objective of CITES

• To overcome the bad impact of trading of species leading them to extinction.
• Regulate the international trading of species
• Provide a framework work of Regulations on the international trade in endangered species.
• Prohibit the threat to species of flora and fauna and prohibit them from extinction.
• For combating the wildlife crimes such as the import of ivory, rhino horns, and illegal imports of parts of organisms or species

CITES Regulations:

Parties that are involved held a meeting after 2 or 3 years to maintain the regulations. To make this convention effectively applied parties are required to have the designation of management and scientific authorities.

• These authorities make sure, the provision of permits for export, and import. And also make sure that such export will not deter to the survival of species.
• Risk assessment of the specimen reduces the chances of injury damage to health.
• The specimen should not be used for commercial purposes.
• The recipient of the specimen is suitably equipped to house for proper care of it.
• CITES terms and conditions violator penalized strictly.
• Trading and possession of endangered species are against the CITES regulations, such specimens are immediately seized and returned to the state.

For the complete framework of regulations, species are classified into 3 groups: Appendix I, II, and III.

Appendix I: The world’s most endangered species are included in it. So, the trading of such organisms is completely banned except for rare research work. Otherwise, these species are completely banned.

Appendix II: Animals and Plants that are not included in endangered species, but unlimited trading threatened that species. So, trading of these species is allowed, but under strict rules.

Appendix III: Species whose trade is regulated within specific countries are included in it.

A Conference of Parties (CoP) is held after 3 years. The CoP 18^th session will be held in Geneva, Switzerland. During this session governments of different states, policymakers, and NGOs will review the regulations and update the lists of endangered species during this session. Management authorities will review the policies to make management stronger in the international trading of species. With the help of CITES regulate the international trading of species and controls wildlife crimes.