Why this matters now
CITES is tested for: 3 March 1973 signing at Washington DC; UN World Wildlife Day 3 March (since 2013, in honour of CITES); 3 Appendices (I + II + III); ~38,000 species regulated; CITES Secretariat Geneva (under UNEP); Standing Committee + Plants + Animals Committees; CoP meetings every 2-3 years; India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 implements CITES; recent COP19 Panama 2022 + COP20 Samarkand Nov-Dec 2025; ivory trade ban 1989 + 2017; pangolin upgraded App I 2017; rhino horn trade controversy.
The 3 Appendices
| Appendix | Coverage | Trade rule |
|---|---|---|
| I — Most endangered (~1,082 species) | Species threatened with extinction; trade only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. scientific research with export + import permits) | Commercial trade BANNED. Includes: tigers, all rhinos, giant panda, gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, marine turtles, all elephants, blue whale, Asian elephant, pangolins (since 2017), gharial. |
| II — Vulnerable (~37,000 species) | Species not necessarily threatened with extinction now but may become so unless trade is regulated; non-detriment finding required. | Regulated with export permits. Includes: hippos, mahogany, most corals, polar bear, lions (some sub-populations). |
| III — Voluntary (~211 species) | Species protected in at least one country which has asked other parties for assistance in controlling trade. | Trade allowed with export permit/certificate of origin. Voluntary listings by individual countries. |
History + Key Decisions
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1963 | IUCN resolution called for international convention. |
| 3 March 1973 | Convention signed at Washington DC by 80 countries. |
| 1 July 1975 | In force (10th ratification). |
| 1976 | India ratified 18 Oct 1976. |
| 1989 | African elephant moved to App I — ivory trade banned. |
| 1997 | Some Southern African elephant populations moved back to App II. |
| 2013 | 20 Dec 2013 UN GA designated 3 March as World Wildlife Day. |
| 2016 | COP17 Johannesburg — African grey parrot to App I. |
| 2017 | All 8 pangolin species to App I — total commercial ban. |
| Nov 2022 | COP19 Panama City — 600+ proposals; sharks + ornamental fish upgraded. |
| Dec 2025 | COP20 Samarkand Uzbekistan (planned). |
India + CITES
India ratified CITES on 18 October 1976. Implementation:
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 — Schedule I species = mostly CITES Appendix I.
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) — Min of Environment, Forest & Climate Change — CITES Enforcement Authority.
- Director of Wildlife Preservation (DGFB) — CITES Management Authority.
- Zoological Survey of India + Botanical Survey of India — CITES Scientific Authorities.
- Customs Authorities + Indian Wildlife Service implement at borders.
Recent India listings/issues:
- Indian Star Tortoise — moved from App II to App I in 2019 (COP18 Geneva).
- Gangetic Dolphin — App I since 1975.
- Tiger: App I; Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) 2005; Project Tiger 1973 (parallel programme).
- Indian Rhino: App I.
- Indian Elephant + Asian Elephant: App I.
- Indian Pangolin: App I since 2017 — major smuggling crackdown.
UPSC angle
Know CITES — Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; SIGNED 3 MARCH 1973 WASHINGTON DC by 80 countries; IN FORCE 1 JULY 1975 (10th ratification); 184 PARTIES; INDIA RATIFIED 18 OCT 1976; CITES SECRETARIAT GENEVA under UNEP; UN GA 20 Dec 2013 designated 3 MARCH WORLD WILDLIFE DAY honour CITES; CoP meets every 2-3 yrs; THREE APPENDICES: APP I most endangered ~1082 species TRADE BANNED commercial (tigers, all rhinos, giant panda, gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, marine turtles, all elephants, blue whale, Asian elephant, PANGOLINS since 2017, gharial); APP II vulnerable ~37000 species TRADE REGULATED with export permits non-detriment finding (hippos, mahogany, most corals, polar bear, lions some); APP III VOLUNTARY ~211 species protected at least one country asked others for help, trade with export permit/origin certificate; HISTORY: 1963 IUCN resolution, 1973 signed, 1975 in force, 1989 AFRICAN ELEPHANT App I IVORY TRADE BANNED, 1997 some Southern African elephant pops back App II, 2013 UN World Wildlife Day, 2016 COP17 Johannesburg African grey parrot to App I, 2017 ALL 8 PANGOLIN SPECIES to App I total ban, Nov 2022 COP19 Panama 600+ proposals sharks+ornamental upgraded, Dec 2025 COP20 SAMARKAND Uzbekistan; INDIA IMPLEMENTATION: WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT 1972 Schedule I = mostly CITES App I; WILDLIFE CRIME CONTROL BUREAU (WCCB) MoEFCC CITES Enforcement Authority; Director of Wildlife Preservation (DGFB) CITES Management Authority; ZSI+BSI Scientific Authorities; Customs+Indian Wildlife Service borders; INDIAN STAR TORTOISE App II → App I 2019 COP18 Geneva; Gangetic Dolphin App I since 1975; Tiger App I + Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) 2005 + Project Tiger 1973 parallel; Indian Rhino+Indian Elephant+Asian Elephant App I; INDIAN PANGOLIN App I since 2017 major smuggling crackdown.
Frequently asked questions
When was CITES adopted?
Signed at Washington DC on 3 March 1973 by 80 countries. Entered into force 1 July 1975 (10th ratification).
What are CITES Appendices?
3 levels: I (most endangered, trade banned), II (regulated, permits needed), III (voluntary listings by individual countries).
When did India ratify CITES?
18 October 1976. India implements it through the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 + Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).
What is World Wildlife Day?
3 March — UN designation since 2013 to commemorate the day CITES was signed in 1973.