International Agreements for Environmental Conservation – Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Wildlife conservation efforts

The phrase “wildlife” is self-explanatory. The phrase “wild” generally refers to something that is “undomesticated” or “growing in its natural habitat.” Wildlife refers to flora and fauna that live in their natural habitat.

In layman’s terms, wildlife refers to plant and animal species that live in their natural habitats, as well as undomesticated animals that live in their natural habitats (forest).

Animals of various species can be found in a variety of habitats. Some are found in the forest, some in the rainforest, some in the desert, and so on.

These organisms aid in the maintenance of ecological balance as well as the fulfilment of human needs. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• As a food source
• They are kept as pets to be
• Can be used in the production of various cloths and items
• They can be used as a medicinal ingredient or as a medicine

Used as food: Animals have been used as food for humans since ancient times, as humans were hunter-gatherers who relied entirely on wild animals for food. People nowadays eat animals and seafood as well. All bony fishes, and the more primitive sharks, skates, rays, sawfish, sturgeons, and lampreys are considered seafood; crustaceans such as lobsters, crabs, shrimp, prawns, and crayfish are considered seafood; mollusks such as clams, oysters, cockles, mussels, periwinkles, whelks, snails, abalones, scallops, and limpe

They are kept as pets: In some parts of the world, wild animals are kept as pets such as Lion, tigers, crocodiles and Anaconda. Some people use them to make money, such as in bullock carts and the circus.

Medicinal use: the animals are also used as medicine or as medicinal ingredients in some cases. Animal bones, for example, are used to make bone powder or bone oil, which are used to treat a variety of pains such as Gila Monster, Brazilian Arrowhead Viper, Frog Skin Antibiotics, Leeches and much more. 

Used for fabric and clothing: Many animals’ skins such as crocodile, sheep, goat, giraffe, zebra are used to make a variety of fabrics or clothes, which are very expensive on the market. In addition, many animal bones are used in the manufacture of various items such as knives, pins, and so on. Making tools out of animal bones is a long-standing tradition.

Other highlights about Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, of Wild Fauna and Flora: 

• CITES is also termed as the Washington Convention. It is a voluntary agreement of acquiring parties, without taking the place of national laws
• Total number of parties:182
• Aims to protect endangered plants and animals
• It divides animals and plants into three groups, or appendices, depending on how endangered they are:

I. Appendix

• It identifies the most endangered CITES-listed animal and plant species.
• Examples include gorillas, sea turtles, most lady slipper orchids, and giant pandas. There are currently 931 species listed
• They are on the verge of extinction, and CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species unless the import is for a non-commercial purpose, such as scientific research
• Trade may take place in these exceptional cases if it is authorised by the issuance of both an import permit and an export permit (or re-export certificate)

IIndAppendix

• It includes species that are not currently threatened with extinction but may become so if trade is not strictly controlled

• Most CITES species, including American ginseng, paddlefish, lions, American alligators, mahogany, and many corals, are listed in this Appendix. Currently, 34,419 species are listed
• It also includes “look-alike species,” or species whose specimens in trade resemble those of species listed for conservation purposes
• International trade in Appendix-II species specimens may be permitted through the issuance of an export permit or re-export certificate
• Under CITES, no import permit is required for these species (although a permit is needed in some countries that have taken stricter measures than CITES requires)

IIIrd Appendix

• It is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and requires other countries’ cooperation to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation
• Map turtles, walruses, and Cape stag beetles are a few examples. There are currently 147 species listed
• International trade in specimens of the species listed in this Appendix is only permitted with the proper permits or certificates
• Only the Conference of the Parties has the authority to add or remove species from Appendix I and II, or to move them between them
• Species may, however, be unilaterally added or removed from Appendix III at any time and by any Party

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Wild Animal Species (CMS)

• CMS is an international treaty concluded under the aegis of UNEP, The United Nations Environment Programme 
• It was signed in 1979. It is also called the Bonn Convention
• Headquarters are in Bonn, Germany
• CMS seeks to protect migratory species throughout their entire range, including aquatic, avian and terrestrial species. Its membership has gradually expanded to over 120 Parties from Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, and Europe since its entry into force

Convention on Biological Diversity

• It is a multilateral treaty that came into power in 1993
• Total number of parties: 196
• It is legally binding
• Convention has 3 main goals:

• • Sustainable use of components

• • Conservation of biological diversity

• • Fair share of benefits from genetic resources

• India is a party to the convention.

Nagoya Protocol

• • In 2010, Conference of Parties 10 (CoP10) adopted it and deals with the genetic resources as well as the fair share of benefits taking place under the Biological Diversity Convention

• For 2020, the Plan includes 20 newly launched targets known as the ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

• The Biosafety Protocol, was adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003
• It aims to protect biological diversity from the risks posed by living organisms as a result of modern biotechnology
• Genetically Modified Organisms can be regulated under this protocol

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

• It is an international treaty
• It was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971
• It establishes a basis for national and international action to conserve the resources of wetlands
• Provides for international cooperation in the provision of wetland restoration and wise use through the management of transboundary water resources and wetlands
• The only global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem is Ramsar Convention
• In India, there are 42 Ramsar sites such as Ashtamudi wetlands, Beas Conservation Reserve, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Bhoj Wetland and many others

Montreux Record

• The Montreux Record was created by the Conference of the Contracting Parties’ Recommendation (1990)
• As part of the Ramsar List, it is maintained
• It is a list of Wetlands of International Importance which are exposed to changes that are likely to occur or have occurred due to pollution, developments, or human activities
• Sites can only be added to or removed from the Record with the consent of the Contracting Parties in whose territory they are located
• In India, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake. Chilka lake was removed from the list

United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification

• Became effective from 1995 (Canada withdrew)
• Total number of parties: 196
• HQ: Bonn, Germany
• It is the only convention effort that arose directly from Rio Agenda 21’s direct recommendations
• It is a convention aimed at combating desertification in countries that are suffering from severe drought and/or desertification, especially in Africa