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Source– This post “Red Sanders: India removed from the Review of Significant Trade process” is based on the article “Shri Bhupender Yadav says based on compliance and reporting India has been removed from the Review of Significant Trade process for Red Sanders” published in “PIB” on 13 November 2023
Why in the News?
In the recently concluded CITES Standing Committee meeting, India has been removed from the Review of Significant Trade for Red Sanders.
What is the CITES Review of Significant Trade Management System?
1. Developed by the United Nations International Computing Centre and funded by the European Union (launched at COP 19).
2. It was designed to identify species that may be subject to unsustainable levels of international trade, and to identify problems and solutions concerning effective implementation of the Convention.
3. The Review of Significant Trade Management System tracks the progress of country/species combinations selected for review, through the four stages of the Significant Trade Review.
What are Red sanders?
| What is it? | Red Sanders is a flora-species that is endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh. |
| IUCN Status | Endangered |
| CITES status | Appendix-II |
| Significance | 1. The rich hue and therapeutic properties of Red Sanders are responsible for its high demand across Asia, particularly in China. 2. Red Sanders is also used in cosmetics, medicinal products and high-end furniture/wood craft |
Why India put under CITES Review of Significant Trade Management System?
1. The Red sanders species was listed for Review of Significant Trade (RST) process more or less since 2004.
2. The CITES RST process enables disciplinary action in the form of trade suspensions directed at countries that do not meet their obligations. Loopholes in convention implementation led to put India under watch list of CITES RST.
What are the Initiatives taken by Indian government?
1. India had been updating the CITES Secretariat on the status of export of red sanders from India.
2. India had also conducted Non-Detrimental Finding for the species and had finalized a zero quota for export of Red sanders from wild.
(Non-Detrimental Finding determines whether some of the resources can be sustainably used in commercial international trade, without affecting the abundance and growth of the species in the wild)
What is its significance for India?
1. This action will help the farmers growing Red sanders to increase their income through cultivation and export of Red Sanders from the plantations.
2. It would also help in motivating farmers to grow more red sanders trees as a source of sustainable income.
UPSC Syllabus-Environment
