WORLD WILDLIFE DAY

WORLD WILDLIFE DAY

NEWS:

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

  • March 3 is observed annually as World Wildlife Day to emphasize the need for wildlife conservation.
  • Theme for 2024: ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet’.
  • The day marks the anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), signed in 1973.

 

Key Takeaways on World Wildlife Day

Establishment of World Wildlife Day

  • In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3 as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness about the protection of wild animals and plants.
  • It commemorates the signing of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in 1973.

 

About CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

  • CITES is an international treaty designed to ensure the survival of endangered species by regulating trade in wild animals and plants.
  • It is considered a landmark agreement in global conservation efforts.
  • The agreement seeks to prevent illegal wildlife trade from threatening species’ survival.

 

Structure of CITES

  • A State or regional economic integration organization that has ratified the convention is called a Party to CITES.
  • Currently, there are 185 Parties to CITES.
  • The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) and is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • The Conference of the Parties (CoP) to CITES is the supreme decision-making body, comprising all member states.

 

How CITES Works?

  • CITES lists species in three Appendices, each providing a different level of protection based on conservation needs.

 

Appendix I (Highest Protection Level)

  • Includes species threatened with extinction.
  • Trade is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
  • Examples:

·         Gorillas

·         Lions from India

 

Appendix II (Controlled Trade to Ensure Survival)

  • Includes species that are not currently threatened with extinction, but require regulation to avoid population decline.
  • Examples:

·         Certain species of foxes

·         Hippopotamuses

 

Appendix III (Protected in at Least One Country, Needs International Support)

  • Includes species that are protected in at least one country, which has requested CITES assistance in controlling trade.
  • Examples:
    • Bengal fox (India)
    • Golden Jackal (India)

 

Species in the News

Indian Star Tortoise

  • CITES Status: Listed in Appendix I (highest protection level).
  • India’s Protection Status:
    • Listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, granting absolute protection.
    • Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2016.
  • Punishment for Trafficking:
    • Jail term of 3 to 7 years + fine of at least ₹25,000 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

 

Pangolins

  • Global Diversity: Eight species worldwide – four in Africa and four in Asia.
  • India’s Pangolin Species:
    1. Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)
    2. Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)
  • Distribution of Indian Pangolins in India:

Found in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

In India, present in states including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

  • Conservation Status:

CITES Status: Listed in Appendix I (since 2017).

IUCN Status:

      • Chinese Pangolin – Critically Endangered
      • Indian Pangolin – Endangered

India’s Protection Status:

      • Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Lions (Panthera leo)

  • Habitat: Native to Africa and Asia; most social big cat, living in prides.
  • Preferred Habitat: Open forests like scrublands.
  • India’s Conservation Efforts:
    • Project Lion (launched in August 2020) aims for long-term conservation of Asiatic lions.
    • World Lion Day: Observed on August 10 to highlight the declining lion population.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
    • CITES Status:
      • Lions – Appendix II
      • Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) – Appendix I
    • India’s Protection Status: Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

 

One-Horned Rhinoceros

  • Habitat:
    • Found in the Brahmaputra Valley (Assam), North Bengal, and parts of Nepal.
  • Threats:
    • Poaching for its horn (believed to have medicinal properties).
    • Habitat loss due to floods, leading to human-wildlife conflict.
  • World Rhino Day:
    • Observed on September 22 to raise awareness about rhino conservation.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
    • CITES Status: Appendix I
    • Other rhino species like the Black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos are Critically Endangered.

 

Tigers (Panthera tigris)

  • Population in India:
    • As per the All India Tiger Estimation 2022, India is home to 3,167 tigers, which is 70% of the global wild tiger population.
  • Conservation Efforts:
    • Project Tiger (launched in 1973 in nine reserves) aims at tiger conservation.
    • India collaborates with Bangladesh for transboundary conservation in the Sundarbans.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Endangered
    • CITES Status: Appendix I
    • India’s Protection Status: Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

 

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

Role and Functioning

  • Statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) to combat organized wildlife crime in India.
  • Established under Section 38(Z) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • Primary Functions:

·         Collecting and compiling intelligence on wildlife crimes.

·         Disseminating information to state authorities for action.

·         Assisting Customs authorities in inspecting flora and fauna shipments under CITES and EXIM policies.

 

Headquarters and Offices

  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Regional Offices: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bhopal
  • Sub-Regional Offices: Guwahati, Amritsar, Cochin
  • Border Units: Ramanathapuram, Gorakhpur, Motihari, Nathula, Moreh

 

Conclusion

  • World Wildlife Day and CITES play a crucial role in wildlife conservation and trade regulation.
  • India's efforts in protecting endangered species, implementing Project Tiger and Project Lion, and combating wildlife crimes reflect its commitment to biodiversity conservation.
  • Strengthening enforcement, global cooperation, and stricter regulations are essential to curbing illegal wildlife trade and ensuring the survival of endangered species.

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Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-nugget-cites-species-in-news-world-wildlife-day-2025-upsc-prelims-9859635/