Environment

CITES CoP19, Shisham export at ease now

The 19th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora is being held from 14th to 25th of November 2022 in Panama. This is the fourth meeting of the CoP to CITES held in Central and South America and the Caribbean since CITES came into force on 1st July 1975.

Huge Relief to Shisham Handicraft Exporters of India:

In CoP19, with India’s initiative, a proposal to clarify the quantity of Dalbergia sissoo (North Indian Rosewood or Shisham) items such as furniture and artefacts was considered. After sustained deliberations by Indian representatives, it was agreed upon that any number of Dalbergia sissoo timber-based items can be exported as a single consignment in a shipment without CITES permits if the weight of each individual item of this consignment is less than 10 kg.

Further, it was agreed that for a net weight of each item only timber will be considered and any other item used in the product like metal etc. will be ignored. This is a great relief for the Indian artisans and furniture industry. As earlier, due to the restriction, exports saw a continuous fall from an estimated Rs. 1000 crore per annum before the listing to Rs. 500-600 crore per annum after the listing. It led to a decrease in exports of Shisham products and affected the livelihoods of around 50,000 artisans who work with the species.

Listing to curb illegal trade and protect biodiversity:

CITES ensures that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. For the effective protection of biodiversity, countries have agreed upon the categorization of species as per their level of extinction. There are 3 appendices categorising different species.

Appendix I lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants. Examples include gorillas, sea turtles, most lady slipper orchids and giant pandas. Around 1082 species are listed in it.

Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. Most CITES species are listed in this Appendix, including American ginseng, paddlefish, lions, American alligators, mahogany and many corals. Currently, around 37,420 species are listed on this list.

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. Species may be added or removed from Appendix I and II or moved between them by the CoP.

 

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