WORLD WILDLIFE DAY 2025

1. Context

March 3 is observed each year as World Wildlife Day to highlight the importance of conserving flora and fauna. The theme of World Wildlife Day for this year is ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.’

2. World Wildlife Day

In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated March 3 as World Wildlife Day to promote awareness and celebrate efforts toward conserving the world’s wild flora and fauna. This date was chosen to commemorate the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
CITES is a crucial international treaty among governments that plays a key role in wildlife conservation. Its main aim is to regulate global trade in wild plants and animals to ensure their survival and prevent overexploitation. By overseeing this trade, CITES helps protect endangered species from extinction.
A country or regional economic organization that has ratified the Convention is referred to as a Party to CITES. At present, there are 185 Parties. The CITES Secretariat, which is responsible for its administration, operates under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Convention’s highest decision-making body, the Conference of the Parties (CoP), consists of all member states and makes consensus-based decisions regarding its implementation

3. How does CITES work?

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) works by regulating and monitoring the international trade of wildlife and plant species to ensure that it does not threaten their survival. It operates through a system of permits and certificates that control trade based on a species’ level of risk

Classification of Species (Appendices I, II, III)

CITES categorizes species into three appendices based on their conservation status:

Appendix I: Includes species that are most endangered and at high risk of extinction. Trade is generally prohibited, except under exceptional circumstances (e.g., for scientific research).
Appendix II: Covers species that are not currently endangered but could become so if trade is not controlled. Trade is allowed but strictly regulated through permits.
Appendix III: Lists species that a specific country has requested help in regulating. Trade requires permits but is less restricted than Appendix I and II species

4. Species which made into news

Indian Star Tortoise

The Indian star tortoise is classified under Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, granting it the highest level of legal protection. Since 2016, it has also been designated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, illegal trade of this species carries a prison sentence of three to seven years and a minimum fine of ₹25,000.
The species is highly sought after as a pet, both within India and internationally, leading to increased trafficking.

Pangolins

There are eight pangolin species globally, with four in Africa and four in Asia. India is home to two species: the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). The Indian pangolin is distributed across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
In India, the Indian pangolin has a widespread presence and has been documented in several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, among others.
Both Indian and Chinese pangolins are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Additionally, all pangolin species were placed in CITES Appendix I in 2017.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Chinese pangolin is ‘Critically Endangered’, while the Indian pangolin is classified as ‘Endangered’.

Lion (Panthera leo)

Lions, native to Africa and Asia, are highly social felines that live in prides and prefer open forest habitats such as scrublands. Male lions are easily recognizable by their distinctive mane.
Project Lion, introduced in August 2020, aims to ensure the long-term conservation of Asiatic lions. Additionally, World Lion Day is observed annually on August 10 to spread awareness about their declining population and the urgency of conservation efforts.
Lions are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and are included in Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The species is also listed under Appendix II of CITES, while the Asiatic lion subspecies (Panthera leo persica) is included in Appendix I.

One-Horned Rhinoceros

The Indian rhinoceros, commonly referred to as the one-horned rhinoceros, is primarily found in the Brahmaputra valley, parts of North Bengal, and some regions of southern Nepal.
Poaching remains a significant threat, driven by the belief in the medicinal properties of its horn, along with conflicts arising from its classification as an agricultural pest.
The species also faces habitat challenges due to frequent flooding, forcing them to seek higher ground beyond protected areas, which increases human-wildlife conflict.
The Indian rhinoceros is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and is listed under CITES Appendix I. Other rhinoceros species, including the black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos, are categorized as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN.

Tiger (Panthera tigris)

According to the All India Tiger Estimation 2022 (fifth cycle summary report), India is home to approximately 3,167 tigers, accounting for over 70% of the global wild tiger population.
Project Tiger, a centrally sponsored initiative, was launched in 1973 with the goal of preserving the tiger population. The program initially covered nine reserves and has since expanded.
The tiger is classified as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List and is granted the highest level of protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
India collaborates with neighboring countries such as Bangladesh to strengthen transboundary tiger conservation, particularly in the Sundarbans region

For Prelims: CITES, IUCN Red List, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Project Tiger

For Mains: GS III - Environment & Ecology

Source: Indianexpress

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