TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE!

A quick look at the treaties and agreements made between the countries of the world for the preservation and advancement of its environment and inhabitants.

- ADITI SHANKAR AND ZEBA MADANI

Environmental and wildlife international conventions are important instruments for protecting the environment and biodiversity around the world. These agreements are designed to address global environmental challenges and the loss of biodiversity that threatens the survival of many species of plants and animals. These conventions have been developed over the years in response to the growing concerns of the international community about the impacts of human activities on the environment and wildlife.

The objectives of these conventions are to protect the environment and wildlife, promote sustainable development, and ensure that the earth's natural resources are used in a responsible and equitable manner. This article provides an overview of some of the most important environmental and wildlife international conventions.

THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FLORA AND FAUNA

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is an international treaty signed by governments worldwide to regulate this unsustainable trade. The Convention is based on the principle that trade in wild flora and fauna must be controlled in order to avoid endangering the survival of the species in the wild. The species covered by CITES are divided into three categories called appendices, which indicate the level of protection they require. Appendix I lists species that are threatened with extinction and therefore subject to the strictest controls. International trade in Appendix I species is only allowed under exceptional circumstances, such as for scientific or educational purposes.