• India has been removed from Review of Significant Trade (RST) for Red Sanders, under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
• It can be a major boost to farmers who grow Red Sanders for export.
• India was under the Review of Significant Trade (RST) process for Red Sanders since 2004.
• RST is a process through which the CITES Standing Committee places increased scrutiny on the exports of a species from a country to determine if the Convention is being properly implemented.
• The CITES RST process enables disciplinary action in the form of trade suspensions directed at countries that do not meet their obligations.

ABOUT CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (CITES)

• CITES is an international agreement (Secretariat – Geneva, Switzerland) between governments to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
  • It is also known as the Washington Convention.
• The Convention provides a framework for the member nations. The framework includes-
  • regulations for the import, export, and re-export of listed species,
  • establishment of permits and certificates,
  • creation of a list of species that are subject to trade controls, and
  • the prohibition of trade in certain species.
• It is a global treaty established in 1975.
• CITES currently has 183 member nations.
  • India has been a party to the CITES since 1976.
• Secretariat – Geneva, Switzerland
• Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties, it does not replace national legislation.

 

ABOUT RED SANDERS

• Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is a high market value tree
• It is restricted to Eastern Ghats and endemic to few districts in Andhra Pradesh.
• Red Sanders usually grow in the rocky, degraded and fallow lands with Red Soil and hot and dry climate.
• The species has been listed as Appendix II under CITES since 1994.
• IUCN red list- Endangered
• Threats – illegal harvesting and smuggling, leading to depletion from natural forests.