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CITES Full Form, Importance, Functions and Appendix

CITES Full Form is Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. United Nations General Assembly set it up. Its main purpose is to regulate the international trade of endangered species.
authorImageKrati Saraswat7 Jun, 2025
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CITES Full Form, Importance, Functions and Appendix

CITES Full Form is Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has been operational since 1975 to ensure that global trade in flora and fauna specimens does not threaten survival.

The convention protects many species by listing them in its three appendices, covering around 5,000 animal species and 30,000 plant species. This safeguards these endangered species and helps to maintain their populations.

 

CITES Full Form in English

The CITES Full Form in English is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species is an agreement to safeguard endangered plants and animals from international trade.

CITES Full Form in Hindi

The CITES Full Form in Hindi is लुप्तप्राय प्रजातियों में अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापार पर कन्वेंशन। वाशिंगटन कन्वेंशन, जिसे वन्य जीवों और वनस्पतियों की लुप्तप्राय प्रजातियों में अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापार पर कन्वेंशन के रूप में भी जाना जाता है, एक बहुपक्षीय समझौता है जिसका उद्देश्य लुप्तप्राय पौधों और जानवरों को अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापार के जोखिमों से बचाना है।

CITES Full Form in Medical

The CITES Full Form of in Medical is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. CITES is an international treaty between nations that aims to protect the planet's plants and animals by ensuring that international trading in their specimens does not endanger their survival.

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What is CITES?

CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. It is a 1975 international agreement. One of the biggest and most well-established treaties on conservation and sustainable usage. This was established to control and oversee global trade in endangered animals. The CITES’s objective is to ensure that international trade does not endanger the existence of wild species. The following idea underlies the CITES Convention:

  • All nations share responsibilities for preserving natural flora and fauna.
  • Wildlife commerce must be regulated sustainably on a global scale.

The Convention gives the member countries a framework. The framework establishes rules for importing, exporting, and re-exporting specified species. They issued permits and certifications, compiled a species list subject to trade controls, and banned commerce in specific species. One hundred eighty-three countries are connected with CITES. They strive to control commerce in more than 35,000 plant and animal species. The Convention is successful in encouraging the conservation of endangered species. It has assisted in reducing the detrimental effects of global trade on animals. However, many species are still in danger due to habitat degradation and illegal wildlife trading. The Secretariat manages CITES. Secretariat is situated in Geneva, Switzerland. The Conference of the Parties is its top decision-making body. It meets every three years to discuss how the Convention is being implemented.

Functions of CITES

To safeguard endangered species, CITES serves a variety of purposes. The Functions of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) are given below:

International trade regulation

The international trade in threatened species is to be governed by CITES. It makes sure that their survival is not in danger. The agreement offers a framework for controlling the trade in more than 36,000 species.

Observing the transaction

CITES has established a system to monitor the trade in listed species. Permits and certifications are used to do this. It keeps a trade data database used when making policy choices.

A list of the species

CITES categorizes species into three appendices based on how well-conserved they are. The level of security they require is also considered in the listing. This makes legal and sustainable commerce in these species possible on a global scale.

Support for technical and scientific endeavors

CITES offers its member countries technical and scientific assistance. It aids in their successful implementation of the convention. This entails offering instruction, direction, and expert counsel.

Promoting coordination and collaboration

Between its member nations and other international organizations, CITES encourages coordination and collaboration. This ensures that trade in threatened or endangered species is appropriately regulated.

CITES Appendix

Species covered by the convention are included in the CITES Appendix. Certain levels of trade restrictions apply to these species. CITES protects thirty thousand plant species and 5,600 animal species from overexploitation. There are three sections in the CITES Appendix:

CITES Appendix

Appendix I
  • Includes species threatened with extinction.
  • Commercial trade of these species on a global scale is generally prohibited. Exceptions may be made in the case of scientific research or the conservation of the species.
  • Species listed in Appendix I include African elephants, gorillas, tigers, and pandas.
Appendix II
  • Consists of species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction.
  • However, this may become extinct unless their trade is closely regulated.
  • International trade in specimens of Appendix II species is permitted. However, it is subject to certain controls to ensure it is legal.
  • Species in Appendix II include several reptiles, birds, mammals, and plants.
Appendix III
  • Includes species that are protected by at least one nation. This nation asks other CITES parties for assistance in controlling the species' international trade.
  • International trade in Appendix III species is allowed. Trade can be done only with appropriate permits or certificates.
  • Species listed in Appendix III include various species of orchids, cacti, and birds.

Importance of CITES

The importance of CITES is as follows:

  1. CITES controls the international trade in endangered species, promoting biodiversity protection. It lessens the likelihood that these species will go extinct.
  2. The goal of CITES is to encourage the sustainable use of natural resources.
  3. It controls the trade in endangered species.
  4. It promotes sustainable development and aids in maintaining the natural equilibrium.
  5. CITES works to stop the trade in endangered species that is prohibited.
  6. The export and import of specified species are subject to authorization. It guarantees the sustainability of the trade.
  7. Many of the animal species that are traded are not endangered. However, a sustainable trading arrangement must be in place to protect these species over time.
  8. CITES encourages collaboration and cooperation among its member nations and international organizations.
  9. It aids in the battle against illegal wildlife trafficking for national enforcement agencies and local.

India and CITES

India is connected with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is in charge of implementing CITES in India. As a CITES member, India has taken numerous initiatives to safeguard its species and enforce its requirements.

  1. India has Four biodiversity hotspots out of the world's 34 biodiversity hotspots: Sundaland, Himalaya, Indo-Burma, and the Western Ghats.
  2. It is home to around 7-8% of all CITES recorded species globally, including the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, Indian rhinoceros, and several tortoise and turtle species.
  3. India is well-known for its stringent laws governing wildlife trading and its products. It has set up several protected zones.
  4. This includes national parks and animal reserves, which help to preserve biodiversity.
  5. India has been an active participant in the activities of CITES.
  6. It has been involved in several activities to strengthen the treaty's provisions.
  7. It has aided in increasing international collaboration in combating wildlife trafficking.

CITES Members

Many nations in the world are connected to CITES. The following nations are members of CITES:

CITES Members
  • Argentina
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Jamaica
  • Mexico
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Saint Kitts & Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Suriname
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela

Contributions of CITES

Approximately 35,000 species of animals and plants are subject to international trade regulation under CITES . The worldwide trade of wool cloth and other manufactured goods (luxury and knitted handicrafts) made from shearing live vicuas is permitted in CITES Appendix II.

CITES Full Form Conclusion

CITES Full Form stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Its goal is to protect wildlife by ensuring sustainable and controlled international commerce. With 183 member countries, CITES categorizes species into three appendices, each with varying levels of protection. The Convention has successfully reduced the harmful effects of trade on animals but faces challenges like habitat degradation and illegal trafficking. It fosters cooperation among nations and organizations to conserve biodiversity and combat wildlife crime. CITES remains crucial to preserving endangered species and promoting responsible trade practices.

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CITES Full Form FAQs

What is the full form of CITES AR?

CITES  Full Form is Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

What is the function of CITES?

CITES's function is to control or forbid international commerce in threatened species.

How many nations are not members of CITES?

The two nations that are not a part of the CITES are North Korea and South Sudan.

Is India a CITES member?

India has been a member of CITES Since 1976.
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