CITES Defines Guidelines on Trade of Rosewood Species

Introduction:

1. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) has issued guidelines to regulate the sustainable harvest and trade of rosewood specimens.
2. Aim: To prevent over-exploitation and ensure sustainable international trade of various rosewood species.

CITES Guidelines on Rosewood Trade:

1. Issued during the 27th meeting of the Plants Committee in July.
2. CITES oversees the trade of rosewood species in the genera Dalbergia, Afzelia, Khaya, and Pterocarpus.
3. These species are listed in Appendix II, indicating they are not immediately threatened with extinction but could be at risk if trade is not regulated.

Threatened Rosewood Species:

1. Pterocarpus erinaceus (African rosewood), native to West Africa, is highly threatened due to over-exploitation and illegal trade.
2. CITES has recommended a trade suspension for Pterocarpus erinaceus to address sustainability and legality concerns.

Capacity-Building Efforts:

1. CITES secretariat is focusing on capacity-building efforts for rosewood species, targeting 13 high-priority and 14 medium-priority species.
2. Goal: To strengthen connections with the Module on Non-Detriment Findings (NDF) for tree species under the CITES-NDF Guidance.

Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs) for Sustainable Trade:

1. NDFs are essential for sustainable global trade in CITES-listed species.
2. NDFs support livelihoods in countries of origin and industries in production and destination countries.
3. Paola Mosig Reidl, TRAFFIC co-lead, emphasized the importance of NDFs for the sustainability of rosewood trade.

Report on CITES-Listed Rosewood Species:

1. CITES published a report on traded CITES-listed rosewood species, including locations of existing rosewood NDFs.
2. The report identifies the country of origin, species vulnerability, and conservation priority.
3. It outlines species' characteristics, ecological roles, regeneration rates, and global trade levels, both legal and illegal.

Upcoming Workshop on Rosewood Species:

1. CITES secretariat will hold an in-person workshop from September 2-6 in Douala (Cameroon) focused on rosewood species.
2. Aim: To provide a platform for range states to share experiences and best practices in implementing NDFs for rosewood species.

Significance:

1. The guidelines and capacity-building efforts will help ensure the sustainable trade of rosewood species and prevent their over-exploitation.
2. The report on CITES-listed rosewood species will provide valuable information for range states to develop effective conservation and management plans.
3. The upcoming workshop will facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among range states to address challenges in implementing NDFs for rosewood species.

About Rosewood Tree:

1. Rosewood: A commercial term encompassing a wide range of tropical hardwoods in the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family.
2. Distribution: Native to South-East Asia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Sabah, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Indian Rosewood:

1. Dalbergia sissoo (North Indian rosewood): Fast-growing, hardy, deciduous tree native to the Himalayas' foothills.
   1. Distribution: From Afghanistan to Bihar, India.
   2. Habitat: Primarily along riverbanks above 200 m elevation, up to 1,400 m.
2. Dalbergia latifolia (East Indian Rosewood): Known as East Indian Rosewood, Black Rosewood, Bombay Blackwood, Indonesian Rosewood, Malabar rosewood.
   1. Habitat: Tropical dry and moist deciduous forests, also in plains.
   2. Distribution: India, Nepal, Andaman Islands, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Himalayas, China, Malaysia.
   3. Uses: Furniture, musical instruments, decorative items, and veneers.
   4. Conservation status: Listed in Appendix II of the CITES list.

Key Facts about CITES:

1. CITES: An international agreement ensuring that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
2. Adopted in 1973 and entered into force in 1975.
3. Member countries: 184 member parties, regulating trade in over 38,000 species.
4. CITES is legally binding on Parties but does not replace national laws.

Secretariat: Administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), located in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

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