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CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

CITES is the primary international legal framework regulating trade in wild animals and plants. It operates through a permit system administered by national CITES Management Authorities.

Key details

Full name: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Adopted: March 3, 1973 (Washington D.C.); entered into force: July 1, 1975
India ratified: 1976 (became the 25th Party)
Current parties: 183 countries
Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction; commercial trade generally prohibited (e.g., tigers, elephants)
Appendix II: Species not currently threatened but could become so if trade is unregulated; trade allowed with permits
Appendix III: Species listed at the request of an individual country seeking international cooperation in regulating trade
Under CITES, trade in approximately 850 species is banned and trade in over 33,000 species is regulated
India has listed 39 taxa in Appendix III