An unconventional solution
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) or the Washington Convention, as it is also known after the city where it was adopted in 1973, came into force on July 1, 1975. It is an intergovernmental treaty between 139 state parties to deal with trade in endangered species. India joined the convention in October 1976. The stated goal of the convention is to regulate international trade in flora and fauna, and to demonstrate that effective and sound management of resources may be beneficial to the conservation of species and ecosystems and to the development of local communities. CITES classifies threatened species in three distinct categories: Appendix I -Species threatened with extinction that are or could be affected by trade. There are about 600 animal and 180 plant species listed in Appendix I, including the African elephant, cheetahs, leopards, black and white rhino, whales, sea turtles, orchids and cacti.
Appendix II -Species not necessarily in danger of extinction but which could become so if trade in them were not strictly regulated. Appendix II covers 2,300 species of animals such as the hippopotamus and Nile crocodile, more than 24,000, many butterflies, all wild cats and black corals. Appendix III -Species which individual parties to the convention choose to make subject to regulations and for which the cooperation of other parties is required in controlling trade.
The Conference of Parties (COP) meets every two years and a half to assess the implementation of the convention. The last meeting was held at Fort Lauderdale, USA. At the 10th COP held in Harare, 76 proposals were discussed, including calls for increased protection of 75 species and proposals to decrease the protection of 21 species. Proposals may be accepted or rejected by a two-thirds majority of member countries. But this is only one of the ways CITES functions. Its secretariat also maintains a database on international trade in animal and plant species, and keeps updates on markets for different species.