📋 What’s Inside
- CITES — Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
- The Three Appendices — I, II, III explained with Indian examples
- COP19 Panama 2022 — Outcomes affecting India
- MIKE — Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants
- TRAFFIC — Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network
- CAWT — Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking
- Policies and Laws in India for CITES Implementation
- Quick Comparison Table
- Practice MCQs
- UPSC Prelims PYQs
- FAQ
CITES
The treaty
3 Appendices
I · II · III
COP19
Panama 2022
MIKE
Elephant data
TRAFFIC
Trade monitor
CAWT
Anti-trafficking
India Laws
WPA + WCCB
CITES — Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
💡 Think of CITES as Customs Control for Wildlife
Just as a country’s customs department checks what goods enter and leave the country, CITES acts as the world’s customs control for wildlife. A tiger skin, an elephant ivory carving, a rare orchid, a sea turtle — all require specific CITES permits to cross international borders. Some are completely banned. Some need careful documentation. Without CITES, every airport, seaport, and border crossing would be a wildlife trafficking highway. With CITES, 184 countries agree to show their wildlife “passports.”
- Full name: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
- Drafted because of: A 1963 resolution by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
- Adopted: 3 March 1973, Washington D.C., USA
- In force: 1 July 1975
- Parties: 184 member countries
- Secretariat: Geneva, Switzerland (administered by UNEP)
- India joined CITES: 1976
- Governing body: Conference of Parties (COP) — meets every 2–3 years
- Regulates trade in: ~36,000 species of plants and animals
- World Wildlife Day: 3 March — the date CITES was signed
🔑 What CITES Does — Core Functions
- Regulates international trade — NOT domestic trade. CITES governs what crosses borders, not what happens inside a country.
- Controls all imports, exports, re-exports, and introductions from the sea of listed species via a licensing system.
- Listing species — countries can propose to add, move, or remove species from Appendices at each COP.
- Monitoring trade — maintains a global database of wildlife trade transactions (12+ million records).
- Each member country designates a Management Authority (issues permits) and a Scientific Authority (advises on species impacts).
- CITES is legally binding on member countries but does NOT replace national laws — countries must pass their own legislation to implement it.
- CITES does NOT deal with habitat destruction or climate change — only trade regulation.
Wildlife trade is the world’s fourth largest illegal trade — after drugs, humans, and arms. Estimated at $23 billion annually. It drives species to extinction: tigers for traditional medicine, elephants for ivory, rhinos for horns, sharks for fins, rare orchids for collectors, hardwood for furniture. CITES intervenes by making legal trade traceable and banning commercial trade for the most threatened species. But enforcement remains a major challenge — each year, hundreds of thousands of CITES-listed species are illegally traded.
Key facts always tested: CITES adopted 3 March 1973 (signed Washington D.C.) | In force 1 July 1975 | Secretariat Geneva | Administered by UNEP | India joined 1976 | World Wildlife Day = 3 March. Note: CITES Secretariat = Geneva (NOT Montreal like CBD). This distinction is frequently tested alongside CBD (Montreal). CITES = wildlife trade regulation. CBD = broader biodiversity conservation. They work together but are different treaties.
The Three CITES Appendices
💡 Appendices = A Traffic Light System for Wildlife Trade
Appendix I = RED (STOP) — Most endangered. Commercial trade completely banned. Only non-commercial exceptions with strict permits. Think: tigers, elephants, rhinos, great apes. Appendix II = AMBER (CAUTION) — Not yet endangered but could be. Trade allowed with permits and monitoring. Think: lions, hippos, sharks. Appendix III = YELLOW (CAUTION in ONE COUNTRY) — Protected in one country, which asks for international help. Trade regulated through certificates of origin.
Appendix I
🚫 Commercial trade BANNEDSpecies threatened with extinction. CITES prohibits all commercial international trade. Trade permitted only for non-commercial purposes (scientific research, education) — with both import AND export permits.
- ~1,082 species listed
- Indian species: Tiger, Snow Leopard, Asiatic Lion, Indian Elephant, Indian Rhinoceros, Gharial, Dugong, Great Indian Bustard, Red Panda, Sloth Bear, Saltwater Crocodile
- Global: Gorillas, Giant Panda, Sea Turtles (most species), Blue Whale
Appendix II
⚠️ Trade regulated with permitsNot necessarily threatened now, but trade must be controlled to prevent endangerment. Trade allowed WITH export permit. Importer does NOT need a permit (unlike Appendix I).
- Most CITES species (~35,000) are here
- Indian species: Leopard, Lion (African), Hippopotamus, Mahogany, Agarwood, Indian Star Tortoise, Tokay Gecko, many shark and ray species
- Added at COP19: 104 shark/ray species, Jeypore Ground Gecko (India-endemic), Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham)
Appendix III
🟡 One country seeks helpSpecies protected in at least one CITES member country, which asks other parties for assistance in controlling international trade. Each Party can unilaterally add species to Appendix III.
- ~170 species listed
- Requires a certificate of origin for international trade
- Examples: Two-toed Sloth (Honduras), Walrus (Canada), Cape Seahorse (South Africa)
- Changes to Appendix III follow a different (simpler) procedure than I and II
| Feature | Appendix I | Appendix II | Appendix III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status of species | Threatened with extinction | May become threatened if trade unregulated | Protected in at least one country |
| Commercial trade | BANNED | Allowed with export permit | Allowed with certificate of origin |
| Permits needed | Both import + export permits | Export permit only | Certificate of origin from listing country |
| How added | By vote of COP | By vote of COP | Unilaterally by any Party |
| Number of species | ~1,082 | ~35,000+ | ~170 |
| India equivalence | WPA Schedule I | WPA Schedules III & IV | Variable |
⭐ Indian Species — Which Appendix?
- Appendix I (trade banned): Tiger 🐅 · Snow Leopard · Asiatic Lion · Indian Elephant 🐘 · One-Horned Rhinoceros · Gharial · Dugong · Great Indian Bustard · Olive Ridley Turtle · Gangetic Dolphin
- Appendix II (trade regulated): Indian Star Tortoise (uplisted at COP18) · Tokay Gecko · Wedgefish · Smooth-coated Otter · Small-clawed Otter · Shisham/Dalbergia sissoo · Agarwood (Aquilaria)
- Indian Ivory rule: Asian Elephants in Appendix I since 1975 (at the very first listing). Commercial ivory trade banned globally in 1989 (African elephants moved to Appendix I).
COP19 — The 19th Conference of Parties 2022
- Location: Panama City, Panama
- Dates: 14–25 November 2022
- Alternative name: “World Wildlife Conference”
- Scale: 52 proposals affecting trade regulations for sharks, reptiles, hippos, songbirds, rhinos, 200+ tree species, orchids, elephants, turtles, and more
- India’s participation: Submitted 3 proposals for stricter protection of native species — all 3 largely successful
Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga)
India’s proposal for this critically endangered freshwater turtle earned strong support. All 12 turtle proposals at COP19 were adopted — turtles are among the world’s most threatened vertebrate groups. India’s Operation Turtshield (anti-wildlife crime) was appreciated.
Jeypore Ground Gecko (Cyrtodactylus jeyporensis)
This reptile, endemic to India’s Eastern Ghats (found in southern Odisha and northern AP), added to Appendix II. First described in 1878, rediscovered only in 2010–11. A rare endemic receiving international protection.
Leith’s Softshell Turtle
India’s proposal for stricter protection. Critically endangered freshwater turtle found in India’s major river systems (Ganga, Indus, Krishna). Added to higher protection schedule.
Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham/Indian Rosewood) Relief
India’s Shisham is Appendix II (since COP17 2016 when all Dalbergia species were listed). At COP19: Dalbergia sissoo items under 10 kg per piece can be exported in a single consignment without CITES permits. Major relief for Indian handicraft and furniture exporters worth ~₹1,000 crore annual trade.
104 Shark and Ray Species — Appendix II
The biggest listing at COP19 in terms of numbers. Hammerhead sharks, Guitarfish, Requiem sharks (including the Blue Shark), and three Indo-Pacific sea cucumber species added to Appendix II. Major win for ocean biodiversity.
Hippopotamus — Stricter Listing
Hippos received stricter trade regulation. Hippo teeth (ivory-like) are increasingly traded as elephant ivory substitutes after the elephant ivory ban. All hippo populations received stronger protection.
Zoonotic Disease Guidelines
COP19 adopted draft decisions on reducing risks of future zoonotic diseases linked to wildlife trade — directly responding to COVID-19 (a zoonotic disease). Multi-sectoral strategy under One Health framework — WHO, FAO, CBD, CITES collaboration.
Songbirds — South & Southeast Asia
White Rumped Shama (found from Southern India to Indonesia) added to Appendix II. Straw-headed Bulbul moved from Appendix II to Appendix I. Songbird trade for caged bird market is a major wildlife trade issue.
India has been a vocal opponent of the international ivory trade for over 30 years — consistently voting against any proposal to reopen the ivory trade. At COP19, Zambia proposed to downlist its elephants to Appendix II (which would have allowed ivory sales from stockpiles). India took an unusual stance — it abstained rather than voting against. This was India’s first departure from its traditional anti-ivory position since joining CITES in 1976, and generated significant attention. The proposal to reopen ivory trade was ultimately rejected, and elephants remained in Appendix I.
COP19 outcomes tested in UPSC: Panama City, Nov 2022 = “World Wildlife Conference” = 104 sharks + rays added to Appendix II (biggest listing by number). India angle: Jeypore Ground Gecko (Eastern Ghats endemic) added to Appendix II. Dalbergia sissoo relief for handicraft exporters. India’s turtle proposals all adopted. Zoonotic disease guidelines post-COVID. COP20 is expected in 2025 — the next major CITES COP.
MIKE — Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants
MIKE — Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants
What is MIKE? MIKE is a site-based monitoring system established by the CITES Standing Committee at COP10 (1997, Harare, Zimbabwe) to monitor trends, levels, and causes of elephant mortality at protected area sites in Africa and Asia. It provides the data needed for elephant range states and CITES parties to make appropriate management and enforcement decisions.
- Started in Africa: 2001 | Started in South Asia: 2003
- Coverage: 32 elephant range countries in Africa + 13 in Asia (including India)
- India: 10 MIKE sites — highest number in Asia. Sites in Assam, Odisha, Karnataka (Mysore), Nilgiri, Corbett, etc.
- Key metric — PIKE: Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants — the percentage of all dead elephants found that were illegally killed. PIKE = 0 means all deaths are natural; PIKE = 1 means all deaths are poaching. A PIKE above 0.5 indicates a population in decline.
- Data collection: When forest rangers find an elephant carcass, they record: sex, age, ivory status, decomposition stage, cause of death. This feeds into MIKE’s database.
- MIKE Asia implementation: Since 2017, IUCN implements the MIKE Asia programme (South Asia + Southeast Asia) funded by European Union.
- Funding: Entirely donor-funded. EU is the largest donor. Also: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Japan, UK, China.
- MIKE data at COP: MIKE reports are presented at every CITES Standing Committee meeting and COP — directly informing decisions on elephant listing and ivory trade.
Shivalik Elephant Reserve
Uttarakhand / HP / UP hills
Corbett (Ramganga)
Uttarakhand — Jim Corbett
Rajaji
Uttarakhand — Ganga plains
Kaziranga
Assam — most biodiverse
Chirang-Ripu
Assam — Bodo territory
Kameng-Sonitpur
Assam-Arunachal corridor
Nilgiri
TN-Kerala-Karnataka — largest BR
Anamalai
TN — high elephant density
Periyar
Kerala — famous tiger reserve too
Mysore
Karnataka — Nagarhole-Bandipur
MIKE is tested through statement-based questions. Key facts: MIKE = under CITES | Established 1997 (COP10, Harare) | Asia programme started 2003 | India = 10 sites (highest in Asia) | Key metric = PIKE (Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants). MIKE informs ivory trade decisions at every CITES COP. Funded by EU primarily. Since 2017, IUCN implements MIKE in Asia.
TRAFFIC — The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network
TRAFFIC — Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce
What is TRAFFIC? TRAFFIC is the world’s leading NGO working on wildlife trade — researching patterns of wildlife trade, identifying illegal trade networks, and advising governments and CITES on conservation policy. It is a joint programme of WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and IUCN. Founded in 1976, headquartered in Cambridge, UK.
- Full name: Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce
- Nature: An NGO — NOT part of CITES Secretariat, NOT a government body. Works as a complementary partner to CITES.
- Core work: Research, monitoring, and intelligence on wildlife trade patterns — both legal and illegal. Identifies which species are being traded, in what quantities, through which routes.
- CITES partner: TRAFFIC provides technical expertise and data to inform CITES listing decisions and enforcement. Before each COP, TRAFFIC publishes trade analyses for species under review.
- ICCWC: TRAFFIC is a member of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) — alongside CITES, INTERPOL, UNODC, and the World Bank.
- India work: TRAFFIC has done extensive research on tiger, elephant, rhino, shahtoosh (shahtush wool from Tibetan Antelope), and sea cucumber trade in India. Works with WCCB and state forest departments.
- Key publication: TRAFFIC publishes the “Wildlife Trade” reports and maintains one of the world’s largest databases of wildlife trade records.
- Demand reduction: Works on behaviour change campaigns to reduce demand for illegal wildlife products — especially in China, Vietnam, and other major consumer markets.
TRAFFIC appeared in a direct UPSC question: “Which of the following is TRAFFIC’s mission?” — Answer: Monitoring wildlife trade so it doesn’t threaten species’ conservation. Key facts: TRAFFIC = joint programme of WWF + IUCN | Founded 1976 | Cambridge, UK | NGO (not part of CITES Secretariat) | Monitors wildlife trade | ICCWC member. It was confused in UPSC 2019 with Wetlands International’s mission — know both separately.
CAWT — Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking
Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT)
What is CAWT? CAWT is a voluntary, public-private partnership dedicated to combating illegal wildlife trafficking globally. It focuses on garnering political will, public awareness, and resources for fighting wildlife crime — going beyond the treaty-based work of CITES to create a broader anti-trafficking coalition.
- Nature: A voluntary coalition — NOT a binding international treaty. Members join voluntarily and commit to anti-trafficking goals.
- Initiated by: The US State Department — a reflection of the US’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking even though the US has not ratified CITES (though it has now joined CITES).
- Membership: Diverse — governments, NGOs, and corporations. Key US-based members include Conservation International, Save the Tiger Fund, Smithsonian Institution, TRAFFIC International, WildAid, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the American Forest & Paper Association.
- Open membership: Any government, NGO, or corporation committed to fighting wildlife trafficking can join.
- Three focus areas:
- Political will: Encouraging governments to treat wildlife crime as a serious transnational crime (alongside drugs and arms trafficking).
- Public awareness: Education campaigns about the impacts of illegal wildlife trade on biodiversity and human health.
- Demand reduction: Reducing consumer demand for illegal wildlife products — particularly in high-demand markets (China, Vietnam, USA, EU).
- Why needed: CITES can regulate trade but cannot directly address the criminal networks. CAWT mobilises law enforcement agencies, judicial systems, and public opinion against wildlife trafficking.
- ICCWC: Works alongside the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) which includes CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, UNODC (UN Office on Drugs and Crime), World Bank, and World Customs Organization.
Policies and Laws in India for CITES Implementation
CITES is legally binding but does NOT automatically become national law. Each member country must pass its own legislation to implement CITES provisions. India implements CITES primarily through the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (WPA) — amended in 1991 to expressly incorporate CITES provisions — and several other laws and agencies.
Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (WPA) — as amended 1991
India’s primary wildlife law. The 1991 amendment specifically incorporated CITES trade controls and penalties. Schedule I = highest protection = broadly equivalent to CITES Appendix I (commercial trade banned, highest penalties). Schedule II-IV = lesser protection. All import/export of wildlife and wildlife products require permission under WPA.
Wild Life Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
Established 2007 under the 2006 amendment to WPA. India’s nodal agency for wildlife crime. Assists management of CITES in India. Coordinates wildlife law enforcement across states. Deputy Directors of WCCB are Assistant Management Authorities for CITES. Stationed at major international airports and seaports.
Management Authority (for CITES in India)
Additional Director General (Wildlife), MoEFCC is India’s national CITES Management Authority. Issues CITES import/export permits. Coordinates with Scientific Authorities on species assessments before permits are granted.
Scientific Authorities
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) — for fauna (animals). Botanical Survey of India (BSI) — for flora (plants). They advise the Management Authority on whether trade will be detrimental to species survival. Their “non-detriment finding” is required before any export permit is issued for Appendix II species.
Customs Act 1962
Enforces import/export controls at ports, airports, and border crossings. Customs officers check CITES permits at entry/exit points. WPA + Customs Act together create the enforcement mechanism for CITES at India’s borders.
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP)
Announced periodically by Ministry of Commerce. Lists wildlife and wildlife products that are prohibited or permitted for import/export. Decided in consultation with the Management Authority. Implemented through Customs Act 1962.
| WPA Schedule | Protection Level | Equivalent CITES Appendix | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule I | Highest — most endangered. Penalties = up to 7 years imprisonment + ₹25,000 fine. No reduction/remission. | Broadly equivalent to Appendix I | Tiger, Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Gharial, Great Indian Bustard, Gangetic Dolphin, Sea Turtles |
| Schedule II | High protection. Penalties = 3–7 years + fine. | No direct equivalent — some Appendix II species | Hyena, Jackal, Porcupine, many raptors |
| Schedules III & IV | Moderate protection. Lower penalties. | Some Appendix II and III species | Barking Deer, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Flying Squirrel |
| Schedule V | Vermin — may be hunted with permission | No CITES equivalent | Rats, mice, crows, fruit bats (crow and fruit bats removed later) |
| Schedule VI | Plants — trade in specified plants prohibited without permission | Some Appendix II plant species | Beddome’s Cycas, Blue Vanda orchid, Pitcher plant, Red Vanda |
India’s WPA 1972 disallows all trade in all kinds of ivory — including African elephant ivory. This is one of the world’s strictest ivory laws. India was instrumental in getting the international ivory trade ban in 1989 (when all African elephant populations were moved to Appendix I). India has consistently opposed any reopening of the ivory trade at CITES COPs — until its partial abstention at COP19 (2022) on the Zambia proposal.
⭐ India’s CITES Framework — Quick Reference
- India joined CITES: 1976
- Primary law: Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (amended 1991)
- Management Authority: ADG (Wildlife), MoEFCC
- Wildlife crime agency: WCCB (established 2007 under WPA 2006 amendment)
- Scientific Authorities: ZSI (fauna) + BSI (flora)
- Enforcement: Customs Act 1962 at ports/airports
- WPA Schedule I = ~CITES Appendix I (trade banned, highest protection)
- India’s ivory law = strictly prohibits ALL ivory trade (including African) = one of world’s strongest
- MIKE sites in India: 10 — highest in Asia
Quick Comparison — CITES, MIKE, TRAFFIC, CAWT
| Feature | CITES | MIKE | TRAFFIC | CAWT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species | Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants | Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce | Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking |
| Nature | Binding international treaty | CITES programme (site-based monitoring system) | NGO (joint WWF + IUCN programme) | Voluntary public-private coalition |
| Established | 1973 (in force 1975) | 1997 (COP10, Harare) | 1976 | 2005 (US State Dept. initiative) |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland | Under CITES Secretariat (Geneva) | Cambridge, UK | Washington D.C., USA |
| Parent/Administered by | UNEP | CITES | WWF + IUCN | US State Department (initiator) |
| Focus | Regulating international wildlife trade | Monitoring elephant poaching data | Researching & monitoring wildlife trade (legal + illegal) | Political will + public awareness against trafficking |
| India connection | India member since 1976; WPA 1972 implements CITES | 10 MIKE sites in India (highest in Asia) | Works with WCCB; research on tiger, elephant, rhino trade | India can join as a partner government |
| Key metric/output | Appendix listings; COP decisions | PIKE (Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants) | Wildlife trade databases; pre-COP analyses | Anti-trafficking campaigns; demand reduction |
