INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS

28.1 M AJOR ENVIRONMENT


18. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS Change (UNFCCC)
Nature conservation 19. Kyoto Protocol
1. United Nations Conference On Environment And De-

1. United Nations Conference On Environment

velopment (UNCED) And Development (UNCED)
2. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Also known as the Rio Summit, Rio Conference, Earth

3. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.
4. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Spe-
The issues addressed included:
cies of Fauna and Flora (CITES) •
Systematic scrutiny of patterns of production — par-
5. The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC)

ticularly the production of toxic components, such as
6. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species

lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste including radioac-
(CMS) tive chemicals
7. Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT)

•
Alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil
fuels which are linked to global climate change
8. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTC)
•

9. United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)

New reliance on public transportation systems in order
to reduce vehicle emissions, congestion in cities and the

10. International Union for Conservation of Nature and

health problems caused by polluted air and smog

Natural Resources (IUCN)
11. Global Tiger Forum (GTF)

•
The growing scarcity of water
The Earth Summit resulted in the following
Hazardous material documents:
12. Stockholm Convention • Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

13. Basel Convention •

Agenda 21
14. Rotterdam Convention •
Forest Principles
Land Moreover, two important legally binding
agreements
15. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD) 1. Convention on Biological Diversity

2. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Marine environment The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development,

16. International Whaling Commission (IWC) often shortened to Rio Declaration, was a short document
produced at the 1992 United Nations “Conference on Envi-
Atmosphere ronment and Development” (UNCED), informally known
17. Vienna convention and Montreal Protocol as the Earth Summit. The Rio Declaration consisted of
27 principles intended to guide future sustainable develop-
  Rio +20
ment around the world. • “Rio+20” is the short name for the United Nations Con-
Agenda 21 ference on Sustainable Development which took place
• Agenda 21 is an action plan of the United Nations (UN) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012 – twenty years
after the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio.

related to sustainable development and was an outcome

of the United Nations Conference on Environment and • At the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders, along with
Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, thousands of participants from the private sector,
in 1992. NGOs and other groups, came together to shape how
• It is a comprehensive blueprint of action to be taken we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and en-
globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the sure environmental protection on an ever more
UN, governments, and major groups in every area in crowded planet.
which humans directly affect the environment. • The official discussions focussed on two main themes:
• The number 21 refers to an agenda for the 21st century. 1. how to build a green economy to achieve sustainable
Local Agenda 21 development and lift people out of poverty; and
• The implementation of Agenda 21 was intended to in- 2. how to improve international coordination for sustain-
volve action at international, national, regional and local able development.
levels. Some national and state governments have leg- • AT Rio+20, more than $513 billion was pledged to build
islated or advised that local authorities take steps to a sustainable future. It signaled a major step forward
implement the plan locally, as recommended in Chapter in achieving the future we want.
28 of the document. Such programmes are often known
as ‘Local Agenda 21’ or ‘LA21’. 2. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Agenda 21 for culture • CBD is a Legally binding Convention recognized for the
• During the first World Public Meeting on Culture, held first time, that the conservation of biological diversity
in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2002, it came up with the idea is “a common concern of humankind” and is an integral
to draw up document guidelines for local cultural poli- part of the development process. The agreement covers
cies, a document comparable to what Agenda 21 meant all ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.
in 1992 for the environment.
Objectives
• The Agenda 21 for culture is the first document with
worldwide mission that advocates establishing the • The conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable
groundwork of an undertaking by cities and local gov- use of its components and the fair and equitable shar-
ernments for cultural development. ing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of ge-
netic resources, including by appropriate access to
Rio+5 genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of rele-
• In 1997, the General Assembly of the UN held a special vant technologies, taking into account all rights over
session to appraise five years of progress on the imple- those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate
mentation of Agenda 21 (Rio +5). funding.
• The Assembly recognized progress as ‘uneven’ and iden- Three main goals:
tified key trends including increasing globalization,
widening inequalities in income and a continued dete- • The conservation of biodiversity
rioration of the global environment. • Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity
The Johannesburg Summit • Sharing the benefits arising from the commercial and
• The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, agreed at other utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equi-
the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Earth table way
Summit 2002) affirmed UN commitment to ‘full imple- The Convention acknowledges that substantial investments
mentation’ of Agenda 21, alongside achievement of the are required to conserve biological diversity. It argues,
Millennium Development Goals and other international however, that conservation will bring us significant envi-
agreements. ronmental, economic and social benefits in return.
 must notify in writing the Party of import before the
Do you know? first proposed export takes place.
The current population of the Greater adjutant stork •
The Party of import must acknowledge receipt of the
is only 1,200, of which, 80 percent are found in Assam. notification within 90 days and must communicate its
The bird’s habitat has been greatly impacted by decision on whether or not to import the LMO within
human development. 270 days.
•
Parties are required to ensure that their decisions are
based on a risk assessment of the LMO, which must be
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the carried out in a scientifically sound and transparent
Convention on Biological Diversity manner.
Biosafety refers to the need to protect human health and •
Once a Party takes a decision on the LMO, it is required
the environment from the possible adverse effects of the to communicate the decision as well as a summary of
products of modern biotechnology. the risk assessment to a central information system, the
The Convention clearly recognizes these twin aspects of Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH).
modern biotechnology. LMOs- food or feed, or for processing
1. Access to and transfer of technologies

• Under the procedure for LMOs-FFP, Parties that decide

2. Appropriate procedures to enhance the safety of bio-

to approve and place such LMOs on the market are re-
technology technologies. quired to make their decision and relevant information,
including the risk assessment reports, publicly available
Objective
through the BCH.
Is to contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection
in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living Nagoya—Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol
modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology • The Cartagena Protocol is reinforced by the Nagoya—

that may have adverse effects on the conservation and Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and
sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into ac- Redress.
count risks to human health, and specifically focusing on • The Supplementary Protocol specifies response meas-
transboundary movements.

ures to be taken in the event of damage to biodiversity

• The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an additional

resulting from LMOs.
agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. • The competent authority in a Party to the Supplemen-
• The Protocol establishes procedures for regulating the

tary Protocol must require the person in control of the
import and export of LMOs from one country to an- LMO (operator) to take the response measures or it may
other. implement such measures itself and recover any costs
• The Protocol also requires Parties to ensure that LMOs

incurred from the operator.
being shipped from one country to another are handled, Nagoya Protocol
packaged and transported in a safe manner.
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and
• The shipments must be accompanied by documentation

the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from
that clearly identifies the LMOs, specifies any require- their Utilization (ABS) to the Convention on Biological Di-
ments for the safe handling, storage, transport and use versity is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on
and provides contact details for further information. Biological Diversity.
There are two main sets of procedures, one for LMOs in- It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective
tended for direct introduction into the environment, implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD.
known as the advance informed agreement (AIA) proce-
dure, and another for LMOs intended for direct use as food Objective
or feed, or for processing (LMOs-FFP). Is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from
the utilization of genetic resources, thereby contributing
Advance Informed Agreement
to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
• Under the AIA procedure, a country intending to export

an LMO for intentional release into the environment

 Obligations
The Nagoya Protocol sets out core obligations for its con- • Encourage contractual provisions on dispute resolution
tracting Parties to take measures in relation to access to in mutually agreed terms
genetic resources, benefit-sharing and compliance. • Ensure an opportunity is available to seek recourse
under their legal systems when disputes arise from mu-
Access obligations
tually agreed terms
• Domestic-level access measures are to: • Take measures regarding access to justice
• Create legal certainty, clarity and transparency
• Take measures to monitor the utilization of genetic re-
• Provide fair and non-arbitrary rules and procedures sources after they leave a country including by designat-
• Establish clear rules and procedures for prior informed ing effective checkpoints at any stage of the value-chain:
consent and mutually agreed terms research, development, innovation, pre-commercializa-
• Provide for issuance of a permit or equivalent when tion or commercialization
access is granted Traditional knowledge
• Create conditions to promote and encourage research • The Nagoya Protocol addresses traditional knowledge
contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustain- associated with genetic resources with provisions on
able use
access, benefit-sharing and compliance.
• Pay due regard to cases of present or imminent emer- • It also addresses genetic resources where indigenous
gencies that threaten human, animal or plant health and local communities have the established right to
• Consider the importance of genetic resources for food grant access to them.
and agriculture for food security
• Contracting Parties are to take measures to ensure
Benefit-sharing obligations these communities’ prior informed consent, and fair
• Domestic-level benefit-sharing measures are to provide and equitable benefit-sharing, keeping in mind com-
for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising munity laws and procedures as well as customary use
from the utilization of genetic resources with the con- and exchange.
tracting party providing genetic resources. Importance
• Utilization includes research and development on the The Nagoya Protocol will create greater legal certainty and
genetic or biochemical composition of genetic re- transparency for both providers and users of genetic re-
sources, as well as subsequent applications and com- sources by:
mercialization.
• Sharing is subject to mutually agreed terms. • Establishing more predictable conditions for access to
genetic resources.
• Benefits may be monetary or non-monetary such as • Helping to ensure benefit-sharing when genetic re-
royalties and the sharing of research results. sources leave the contracting party providing the ge-
Compliance obligations netic resources
Specific obligations to support compliance with the domes- By helping to ensure benefit-sharing, the Nagoya Protocol
tic legislation or regulatory requirements of the contract- creates incentives to conserve and sustainably use genetic
ing party providing genetic resources, and contractual resources, and therefore enhances the contribution of bio-
obligations reflected in mutually agreed terms, are a sig- diversity to development and human well-being.
nificant innovation of the Nagoya Protocol. Contracting
Parties are to: The Biodiversity Target

• Take measures providing that genetic resources utilized • It was adopted in May 2002 during the sixth Con­
within their jurisdiction have been accessed in accord- ference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological
ance with prior informed consent, and that mutually Diversity.
agreed terms have been established, as required by an- • The Target aimed to achieve, by 2010 ‘a significant re-
other contracting party duction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the
• Cooperate in cases of alleged violation of another con- global, regional and national level as a contribution to
tracting party’s requirements poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on
earth’.
•
Unfortunately, we were unable to meet the target. As 1. By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, includ-

we are facing an ever-increasing biodiversity crisis, we ing forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought
need a new, clear and realistic target to respond to it. close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is
significantly reduced.
Strategic Plan For Biodiversity 2011-2020
2. By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic
• In the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties,

plants are managed and harvested sustainably, legally

held in 2010, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, adopted

and applying ecosystem based approaches, so that
a revised and updated Strategic Plan for Biodiversity,
overfishing is avoided, recovery plans and measures
including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, for the 2011-
are in place for all depleted species, fisheries have no
2020 period.
significant adverse impacts on threatened species and
• The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties

vulnerable ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries on

agreed to translate this overarching international stocks, species and ecosystems are within safe eco-
framework into national biodiversity strategies and ac- logical limits.
tion plans within two years.
3. By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and for-
• Additionally, the meeting decided that the fifth national

estry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation

reports, due by 31 March 2014, should focus on the im- of biodiversity.
plementation of the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan and pro-
4. By 2020, pollution, including from excess nutrients, has
gress achieved towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

been brought to levels that are not detrimental to eco-

system function and biodiversity.
28.2 AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGETS
5. By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are iden-
Strategic Goal A:

tified and prioritized, priority species are controlled or

Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by main- eradicated, and measures are in place to manage path-
streaming biodiversity across government and society ways to prevent their introduction and establishment.
1. By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of
6. By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral

biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by
use it sustainably. climate change or ocean acidification are minimized,
2. By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been

so as to maintain their integrity and functioning.
integrated into national and local development and pov-
erty reduction strategies and planning processes and Strategic Goal C:
are being incorporated into national accounting, as To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding eco-
appropriate, and reporting systems. systems, species and genetic diversity
3. By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies,
1. By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland

harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased out or water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas,
reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative im- especially areas of particular importance for biodiver-
pacts, and positive incentives for the conservation and sity and ecosystem services, are conserved through
sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and ap- effectively and equitably managed, ecologically repre-
plied, consistent and in harmony with the Convention sentative and well connected systems of protected areas
and other relevant international obligations, taking into and other effective area-based conservation measures,
account national socio economic conditions. and integrated into the wider landscapes and sea-
4. By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and

scapes.
stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve or 2. By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species

have implemented plans for sustainable production and has been prevented and their conservation status, par-
consumption and have kept the impacts of use of natu- ticularly of those most in decline, has been improved
ral resources well within safe ecological limits. and sustained.
3. By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and
Strategic Goal B:

farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives,

Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote including other socio-economically as well as culturally
sustainable use valuable species, is maintained, and strategies have
 been developed and implemented for minimizing ge- be subject to changes contingent to resource needs as-
netic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity. sessments to be developed and reported by Parties.
Strategic Goal D: CoP 11 hyderabad
Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosys- • One of the most important outcomes of the CoP is the

tem services commitment of the Parties to double the international

1. By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services,

financial flows for Bio Diversity by 2015. This will trans-
including services related to water, and contribute to late into additional financial flows to the developing
health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and countries to the tune of about US $ 30 billion equivalent
safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, to about Rs. 1,50,000 crore over the next 8 years.
indigenous and local communities, and the poor and • India has committed US $50 million towards strength-

vulnerable. ening the institutional mechanism for biodiversity con-

2. By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of

servation in the country during its presidency of the
biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced, Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) called the Hyderabad
through conservation and restoration, including resto- Pledge
ration of at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems, • The funds will be used to enhance technical and human

thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and capabilities at the national and state-level mechanisms
adaptation and to combating desertification. to attain the CBD objectives.
3. By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Re-

• The country has also earmarked funds to promote

sources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits similar capacity building in developing countries. India
Arising from their Utilization is in force and opera- formally took charge of the presidency of CBD from
tional, consistent with national legislation. Japan for the next two years on October 8 at the inau-
gural of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of Par-
Strategic Goal E:
ties (CoP 11) to CBD.
Enhance implementation through participatory planning,
knowledge management and capacity building
• India has instituted together with UNDP Biodiversity

Governance Awards. The first such awards were given

1. By 2015 each Party has developed, adopted as a policy

during the CoP 11. It is now proposed to institute Rajiv

instrument, and has commenced implementing an ef- Gandhi International Award for Harnessing Biodiversity
fective, participatory and updated national biodiversity for Livelihood.
strategy and action plan.
2. By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and

28.3 R AMSAR CONVENTION ON


practices of indigenous and local communities relevant WETLANDS

for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,
and their customary use of biological resources, are
•
The Convention on Wetlands [waterfowl convention] is
an intergovernmental treaty that provides the frame-
respected, subject to national legislation and relevant work for national action and international cooperation
international obligations, and fully integrated and re- for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their
flected in the implementation of the Convention with resources.
the full and effective participation of indigenous and
local communities, at all relevant levels. •
It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and
came into force in 1975, and it is the only global envi-
3. By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies ronmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosys-

relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status tem.

and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are im-
proved, widely shared and transferred, and applied. •
Ramsar is not affiliated with the United Nations system
of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, but it works
By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization of financial re- very closely with the other MEAs and is a full partner
sources for effectively implementing the Strategic Plan among the “biodiversity-related cluster” of treaties and
for Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all sources, and in ac- agreements.
cordance with the consolidated and agreed process in
the Strategy for Resource Mobilization, should increase •
World Wetlands Day, 2 February every year. Number of
substantially from the current levels. This target will Contracting Parties: 163
Mission Indian wetland and the Montreux Record
“The conservation and wise use of all wetlands through • Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan and Loktak Lake,

local, regional and national actions and international co- Manipur have been included in Montreux Record in
operation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable 1990 and in 1993 respectively
development throughout the world”. • Chilika Lake, Orissa included in Montreux Record in

“Three pillars” of the Convention 1993 have been removed in November 2002. It is placed
on the Montreux Record due to problems caused by
The Parties have committed themselves to:
siltation and sedimentation which was choking the
• Work towards the wise use of all their wetlands through

mouth of the lake; removed from the Record in 2002
national land-use planning, appropriate policies and following rehabilitation efforts for which the Chilika
legislation, management actions, and public education; Development Authority received the Ramsar Wetland
• Designate suitable wetlands for the List of Wetlands of

Conservation Award for 2002.
International Importance (“Ramsar List”) and ensure
“IOPs”
their effective management; and
Five global non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have
• Cooperate internationally concerning transboundary

been associated with the treaty since its beginnings and

wetlands, shared wetland systems, shared species, and
were confirmed in the formal status of International Or-
development projects that may affect wetlands.
ganization Partners (IOPs) of the Convention.
The “Ramsar List” 1. BirdLife International (formerly ICBP)

• At the time of joining the Convention, each Contracting

2. IUCN – The International Union for the Conservation

Party designates at least one site for inclusion in the List of Nature
of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar
3. IWMI – The International Water Management Institute
List”).

4. Wetlands International (formerly IWRB, the Asian Wet-

• The addition of a site to the Ramsar List confers upon

lands Bureau, and Wetlands for the Americas)

it the prestige of international recognition and ex-
presses the government’s commitment to take all steps 5. WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) International

necessary to ensure the maintenance of the ecological The Changwon Declaration on human well-being and
character of the site. wetlands
Transboundary Ramsar Sites • The Changwon Declaration highlights positive action

• An ecologically coherent wetland extends across na- for ensuring human well-being and security in the fu-
ture under the themes - water, climate change, people’s

tional borders and the Ramsar site authorities on both

or all sides of the border have formally agreed to col- livelihood and health, land use change, and biodiversity,
laborate in its management, and have notified the Sec- India and wetland convention
retariat of this intent.
• India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Con-
• This is a cooperative management arrangement and not

vention in 1981 and has been implementing conserva-

a distinct legal status for the Ramsar sites involved. tion programmes for wetlands, mangroves and coral
The Montreux Record reefs.
• Adopted by the Conference of the Contracting Parties • India presently has 26 sites designated as Wetlands of

International Importance.

in Brisbane, 1996, accompanying the Guidelines for Op-

eration of the Montreux Record • There is close coordination between implementing units

• The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on of Ramsar with that of CBD at the national level. India
took a lead role in the formulation of Ramsar guidelines

the List of Wetlands of International Importance where

changes in ecological character have occurred, are oc- on integration of wetlands into river basin management.
curring, or are likely to occur as a result of technologi- • The National Conservation Strategy and Policy State-

cal developments, pollution or other human interference. ments on Environment and Development (1992) and
• It is the the principal tool of the Convention and is National Water Policy (2002) highlight conservation and
sustainable development of wetlands.

maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

28.4. CITES •
The Parties have adopted a 5-year strategic vision to
guide CITES through 2013.
•
In the early 1960s, international discussion began focus-
ing on the rate at which the world’s wild animals and The plan sets the following goals:
plants were being threatened by unregulated interna-
tional trade.
• Ensure compliance with and implementation and en-

forcement of the Convention.

•
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered
• Secure the necessary financial resources and means for
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an interna- the operation and implementation of the Convention.
tional agreement between governments entered into
force in 1975, and became the only treaty to ensure that • Contribute to significantly reducing the rate of biodi-
international trade in plants and animals does not versity loss by ensuring that CITES and other multilat-
threaten their survival in the wild. eral instruments and processes are coherent and
mutually supportive.
•
Currently 176 countries are Parties to CITES.
• CITES is administered through the United Nations En-
Do you know?

vironment Programme (UNEP). A Secretariat, located

in Geneva, Switzerland, oversees the implementation of The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is all set to
the treaty and assists with communications between usher in the introduction of solar energy technology
countries. to drive biodiversity conservation and livelihood ac-
tivities at Chilika.
Protecting Species from Unsustainable Trade
• Species for which trade is controlled are listed in one of

three Appendices to CITES, each conferring a different 28.5. T R AFFIC: THE WILDLIFE TR ADE
level of regulation and requiring CITES permits or cer-


MONITORING NETWORK
tificates.
•
TRAFFIC is a joint conservation programme of WWF
Appendix I: and IUCN.
• Includes species threatened with extinction and pro-

•
It was established in 1976 by the Species Survival Com-
vides the greatest level of protection, including restric- mission of IUCN, principally as a response to the entry
tions on commercial trade. Examples include gorillas, into force during the previous year of the Convention
sea turtles, most lady slipper orchids, and giant pandas. on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Appendix II: Fauna and Flora (CITES).

• Includes species that although currently not threatened •

TRAFFIC is an international network, consisting of
TRAFFIC International, based in Cambridge, UK with

with extinction, may become so without trade controls.

It also includes species that resemble other listed species offices on five continents.
and need to be regulated in order to effectively control •
Since its founding, TRAFFIC has grown to become the
the trade in those other listed species. world’s largest wildlife trade monitoring programme,
and a global expert on wildlife trade issues.
Appendix III:
• This non-governmental organization undertakes its ac-
• Includes species for which a range country has asked

tivities in close collaboration with governments and the

other Parties to help in controlling international trade. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Spe-
Examples include map turtles, walruses and Cape stag cies of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat.
beetles.
Goal
• Until CoP13, these meeting were held every two years;
• To ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not

since then, CoPs are held every three years.

a threat to the conservation of nature.

• CoP16 is scheduled to occur from March 3-14, 2013 in

Bangkok, Thailand. Vision

CITES Role in Conservation • Is of a world in which trade in wild animals and plants

will be managed at sustainable levels without damaging

• Over the last several decades, CITES has helped ensure

the integrity of ecological systems and in such a manner

global conservation of species.
 that it makes a significant contribution to human needs, •
The development of models tailored according to the
supports local and national economies and helps to mo- conservation needs throughout the migratory range is
tivate commitments to the conservation of wild species a unique capacity to CMS.
and their habitats.
India signs Raptor MOU
28.6. C ONVENTION ON THE

• The Indian Government has signed ‘Raptor MoU’, on

CONSERVATION OF MIGR ATORY Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and

SPECIES (CMS) Eurasia, with the Convention on Conservation of Migra-
tory Species (CMS), or Bonn Convention, under the aus-
•
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Spe-
pices of the United Nations Environment Programme
cies of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or Bonn Con- (UNEP). The CMS aims to conserve migratory species
vention) aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian throughout their range.
migratory species throughout their range.
• India had become a party to the CMS since November
• It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the

1, 1983. The ‘Raptor MoU’ is an agreement under Article

aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme, IV paragraph 4 of the CMS and is not legally binding.
concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats The ‘Raptor MoU’ extends its coverage to 76 species of
on a global scale. birds of prey, out of which 46 species, including vul-
•
The Convention’s has membership of 117 Parties from tures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, etc.
Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and also occur in India. India has become the 56th signatory
Oceania. State to sign the ‘Raptor MoU’ that was concluded on
October 22, 2008 and came into effect on November 1,
•
The only global convention specializing in the conserva-
2008.
tion of migratory species, their habitats and migration
routes, CMS complements and co-operates with a num-
28.7. C OALITION AGAINST WILDLIFE
ber of other international organizations, NGOs and


TR AFFICKING (CAWT)
partners in the media as well as in the corporate sector.
•
The Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) aims
Appendix I to focus public and political attention and resources on
• Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed ending the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products.
•

on Appendix I of the Convention.

Initiated in 2005, CAWT is a unique voluntary public-
private coalition of like-minded governments and or-
•
CMS Parties strive towards strictly protecting these
ganizations sharing a common purpose.
animals, conserving or restoring the places where they
live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling CAWT is leveraging the combined strengths of
other factors that might endanger them. Besides estab- government and nongovernmental partners to:
lishing obligations for each State joining the Convention, • Improve Wildlife Law Enforcement by expanding en-
CMS promotes concerted action among the Range States

forcement training and information sharing and

of many of these species. strengthening regional cooperative networks.
Appendix II •
Reduce consumer demand for illegally traded wildlife
by raising awareness of the impacts of illegal wildlife
•
Migratory species that need or would significantly ben-
trade on biodiversity and the environment, livelihoods,
efit from international co-operation are listed in Appen-
and human health; its links to organized crime; and the
dix II of the Convention. For this reason, the Convention
availability of sustainable alternatives.
encourages the Range States to conclude global or re-
gional Agreements. • Catalyse high-level political will to fight wildlife traffick-

ing by broadening support at the highest political levels

CMS as a framework Convention. for actions to combat the illegal trade in wildlife.
•
The Agreements may range from legally binding trea- The Coalition complements and reinforces existing na-
ties (called Agreements) to less formal instruments, tional, regional and international efforts, including the
such as Memoranda of Understanding, and can be work of the Convention on International Trade in Endan-
adapted to the requirements of particular regions. gered Species, which monitors and regulates international
trade in endangered and threatened species and their de- Principal Functions
rivatives. The following are the principal functions in order to
The CAWT organisation is not directly involved in any achieve its objective
enforcement activities.
• To facilitate implementation of forest-related agree-
ments and foster a common understanding on sustain-
28.8 T HE INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL


able forest management;

TIMBER ORGANIZATION (ITTO)
• To provide for continued policy development and dia-
•
ITTO is an intergovernmental organization, under UN logue among Governments, international organizations,
(1986) promoting the conservation and sustainable including major groups, as identified in Agenda 21 as
management, use and trade of tropical forest re- well as to address forest issues and emerging areas of
sources. Its members represent about 80% of the concern in a holistic, comprehensive and integrated
world’s tropical forests and 90% of the global tropical manner,
timber trade.
• Like all commodity organizations it is concerned with
• To enhance cooperation as well as policy and pro-
gramme coordination on forest-related issues
trade and industry, but like an environmental agree-
ment it also pays considerable attention to the sustain- • To foster international cooperation and
able management of natural resources. • To monitor, assess and report on progress of the above
• It manages its own program of projects and other ac- functions and objectives
tivities, enabling it to quickly test and operationalize its • To strengthen political commitment to the management
policy work. , conservation and sustainable development of all types
• ITTO develops internationally agreed policy documents of forests.
to promote sustainable forest management and forest • Enhance the contribution of forests to the achieve-
conservation and assists tropical member countries to ment of the internationally agreed development goals,
adapt such policies to local circumstances and to imple- including the Millennium Development Goals, and to
ment them in the field through projects. the implementation of the Johannesburg Declaration
• In addition, ITTO collects, analyses and disseminates on Sustainable Development and the Plan of Imple-
data on the production and trade of tropical timber and mentation of the World Summit on Sustainable De-
funds a range of projects and other action aimed at velopment, bearing in mind the Monterrey Consensus
developing industries at both community and industrial of the International Conference on Financing for De-
scales. velopment;
• Encourage and assist countries, including those with
28.9. U
 NITED NATIONS FORUM ON low forest cover, to develop and implement forest con-
FORESTS (UNFF) servation and rehabilitation strategies, increase the area
• The Economic and Social Council of the United Na- of forests under sustainable management and reduce
tions (ECOSOC), established the United Nations Forum forest degradation and the loss of forest cover in order
on Forests (UNFF) In October 2000, a subsidiary body to maintain and improve their forest resources with a
with the main objective to promote “the management, view to enhancing the benefits of forests to meet pre-
conservation and sustainable development of all types sent and future needs, in particular the needs of indig-
of forests and to strengthen long-term political com- enous peoples and local communities whose livelihoods
mitment to this end” based on the Rio Declaration, the depend on forests;
Forest Principles, Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 and the • Strengthen interaction between the United Nations
outcome of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests Forum on Forests and relevant regional and subregional
(IPF) / Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) Pro- forest-related mechanisms, institutions and instru-
cesses and other key milestones of international forest ments, organizations and processes, with participation
policy. of major groups, as identified in Agenda 21 and relevant
The Forum has universal membership, and is composed of stakeholders to facilitate enhanced cooperation and ef-
all Member States of the United Nations and specialized fective implementation of sustainable forest manage-
agencies. ment, as well as to contribute to the work of the Forum
IPF/IFF Process (1995-2000) 28.10. IUCN
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and the

IUCN was founded in October 1948 as the International
Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) represent Union for the Protection of Nature (or IUPN) following an
five years of international forest policy dialogue. international conference in Fontainebleau, France.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF), estab-

The organization changed its name to the International
lished by the Commission on Sustainable Development Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(CSD) for two years (1995-97) to provide a forum for in 1956 with the acronym IUCN (or UICN) with its head
forest policy deliberations. quarters in Gland, Switzerland.
• Subsequently, in 1997, ECOSOC established the Inter-

Vision
governmental Forum on Forests (IFF), for three years
(1997-2000). Just world that values and conserves nature.
Global Objectives on Forests Missionss
Member States reaffirm the following shared global objec- To influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the
tives on forests and their commitment to work globally, world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and
regionally and nationally to achieve progress towards their to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and
achievement by 2015 ecologically sustainable.
The four Global Objectives seek to: IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects
Reverse the loss of forest cover worldwide through sustain- globally and brings governments, non-government organ-
able forest management (SFM), including protection, izations, United Nations agencies, companies and local
restoration, afforestation and reforestation, and in- communities together to develop and implement policy
crease efforts to prevent forest degradation; IUCN Members include both States and non-governmental
Enhance forest-based economic, social and environmental organizations.
benefits, including by improving the livelihoods of A neutral forum for governments, NGOs, scientists, busi-
forest-dependent people; ness and local communities to find practical solutions to
Increase significantly the area of sustainably managed for- conservation and development challenges.
ests, including protected forests, and increase the pro- Priority Areas oF IUCN
portion of forest products derived from sustainably
managed forests; and •
Biodiversity
Reverse the decline in official development assistance for •
Climate change
sustainable forest management and mobilize signifi- •
Sustainable energy
cantly-increased new and additional financial resources • Human well-being
from all sources for the implementation of SFM.

•
Green economy
Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of
Forests (NLBI) 28.11. THE GLOBAL TIGER FORUM (GTF)
• The Seventh Session of the UNFF adopted the Non-Le-
The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is an inter-governmental
gally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests on and international body established with members from
April 2007. willing countries to embark on a worldwide campaign,
• It is the first time Member States have agreed to an

common approach, promotion of appropriate programmes
international instrument for sustainable forest manage- and controls to save the remaining five sub-species of ti-
ment. gers in the wild distributed over 14 tiger range countries
• The instrument is expected to have a major impact on

of the world.
international cooperation and national action to reduce Formed in 1994 with its secretariat at New Delhi, GTF is
deforestation, prevent forest degradation, promote sus- the only inter-governmental & international body cam-
tainable livelihoods and reduce poverty for all forest- paigning to save the TIGER worldwide.
dependent peoples. The General Assembly of GTF shall meet once in three
• The instrument is voluntary and non-legally binding

years.
 Goal:
To highlight the rationale for tiger preservation and pro- illegal trade in wildlife and for scientifically managing
vide leadership and common approach throughout the tiger landscapes in the face of mounting and varied
world in order to safeguard the survival of the tiger, its threats;
prey and its habitat. • To curtail international demand for tiger parts and
Objectives: other wildlife that has been responsible for drastic de-
clines in tiger populations;
• To promote a worldwide campaign to save the tiger, its
prey and its habitat; • To develop mechanisms for safeguarding habitats from
development through planning ‘smart, green’ infra-
• To promote a legal framework in the countries involved
for bio-diversity conservation; structure and sensitive industrial development;
• To increase the protected area network of habitats of • To create innovative and sustainable financing mecha-
the tiger and facilitate their interpassages in the range nisms for tiger landscapes including protected areas;
countries; • To build strong local constituencies for tiger conserva-
• To promote eco-development programmes with the par- tion through development of economic incentives and
ticipation of the communities living in and around pro- alternative livelihoods for local people;
tected areas;
• To spread the recognition among governments, inter-
• To urge countries to enter into relevant conventions for national aid agencies and the public that tiger habitats
conservation of tiger and elimination of illegal trade; are high-value diverse ecosystems with the potential to
• To promote and carry out scientific research to generate provide immense benefits-both tangible and intangible
information useful for tiger, it’s prey and its habitat to
disseminate such information in an easily accessible 28.12 T
 HE STOCKHOLM CONVENTION
manner; ON POP
• To promote the development and exchange among The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollut-
themselves , of appropriate technologies and training ants was adopted at a Conference of Plenipotentiaries on
programmes for scientific wildlife management;
22 May 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden and entered into force
• To encourage range countries to prepare and implement on 17 May 2004,
their individual action plans for protection and growth
of the tiger population and its prey base. Improvement POPs
of the habitat and common preservation programme can Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are organic chemical
be taken up bilaterally by the range countries having substances, that is, they are carbon-based. They possess a
adjoining habitats, but their implementation should be particular combination of physical and chemical properties
carried out separately by the respective range countries. such that, once released into the environment, they:
• To involve inter-governmental organisations in the pro- • remain intact for exceptionally long periods of time
tection of the tiger; (many years);
• To set up a participative fund of an appropriate size to • become widely distributed throughout the environment
engender awareness in all places where people consume
tiger derivatives for eliminating such consumption of as a result of natural processes involving soil, water
tiger products, and identifying substitutes, in the inter- and, most notably, air;
ests of conservation. • accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms in-
Global Tiger Initiative cluding humans, and are found at higher concentrations
at higher levels in the food chain; and
An alliance of governments, international agencies, civil
society, and the private sector united to save wild tigers • are toxic to both humans and wildlife.
from extinction In addition, POPs concentrate in living organisms through
Goals of GTI another process called bioaccumulation. Though not solu-
ble in water, POPs are readily absorbed in fatty tissue,
• To support capacity-building in governments for re- where concentrations can become magnified by up to
sponding effectively to the transnational challenge of
70,000 times the background levels.
The 12 initial POPs wastes” based on their origin and/or composition and their
Initially, twelve POPs have been recognized as causing ad- characteristics, as well as two types of wastes defined as
verse effects on humans and the ecosystem and these can “other wastes” - household waste and incinerator ash.
be placed in 3 categories: Principal aims:
1. Pesticides: aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin,

• The reduction of hazardous waste generation and the

heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, toxaphene; promotion of environmentally sound management of

2. Industrial chemicals: hexachlorobenzene, polychlorin-

hazardous wastes, wherever the place of disposal;
ated biphenyls (PCBs); and • the restriction of transboundary movements of hazard-

3. By-products: hexachlorobenzene; polychlorinated

ous wastes except where it is perceived to be in accord-
dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans ance with the principles of environmentally sound
(PCDD/PCDF), and PCBs. management; and

The new POPs under the Stockholm Convention

• a regulatory system applying to cases where trans-

boundary movements are permissible.

Nine new POPs Waste under the Basel Convention
At its fourth meeting held in 2009, the CoP adopted Wastes are substances or objects which are disposed of or
amendments to Annexes A, B and C to the Stockholm Con- are intended to be disposed of or are required to be dis-
vention to list nine new persistent organic pollutants. posed of by the provisions of national law.
1. Pesticides: chlordecone, alpha hexachloro- cyclohexane, Annex

beta hexachlorocyclohexane, lindane, pentachloroben-

Annex I of the Convention, as further clarified in Annexes
zene;
VIII and IX, lists those wastes that are classified as hazard-
2. Industrial chemicals: hexabromobiphenyl, hexabro-

ous and subject to the control procedures under the Con-

modiphenyl ether and heptabro -modiphenyl ether, vention.
pentachlorobenzene, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its
Annex II of the Convention identifies those wastes that
salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride, tetrabro- require special consideration (known as “other wastes”,
modiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether; and and which primarily refer to household wastes).
3. By-products: alpha hexachlorocyclohexane, beta hexa-

Examples of wastes regulated by the Basel Convention

chlorocyclohexane and pentachlorobenzene.
• Biomedical and healthcare wastes

Endosulfan • Used oils

At its fifth meeting held in 2011, the CoP adopted an amend- • Used lead acid batteries

ment to Annex A to the Stockholm Convention to list tech-

nical endosulfan and its related isomers with a specific
• Persistant Organic Pollutant wastes (POPs wastes),

exemption. • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs),

• Thousands of chemical wastes generated by industries

28.13 BASEL CONVENTION and other consumers

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary
28.14 ROTTERDAM CONVENTION
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was
adopted on 22 March 1989 by the Conference of Plenipo- •
It was adopted in 1998 by a Conference of Plenipotenti-
tentiaries in Basel, Switzerland, in response to a public aries in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and entered into
force on 24 February 2004.
outcry following the discovery, in the 1980s, in Africa and
other parts of the developing world of deposits of toxic •
The Convention creates legally binding obligations for
wastes imported from abroad. the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
procedure. It built on the voluntary PIC procedure, ini-
Objective tiated by UNEP and FAO in 1989 and ceased on 24 Feb-
To protect human health and the environment against the ruary 2006.
adverse effects of hazardous wastes. Its scope of application •
The Convention covers pesticides and industrial chem-
covers a wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous icals that have been banned or severely restricted for
 health or environmental reasons by Parties and which fecting some of the most vulnerable people and ecosys-
have been notified by Parties for inclusion in the PIC tems in the world.
procedure.
• The convention aims at adaption and can, on implemen-
Objectives: tation, significantly contribute to achieving the Millen-
nium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as sustainable
• to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts

development and poverty reduction by means of arrest-

among Parties in the international trade of certain haz-
ing and reversing land degradation.
ardous chemicals in order to protect human health and
the environment from potential harm; • The convention promotes sustainable land management
• to contribute to the environmentally sound use of (SLM) as solution to global challenges. Land degrada-
those hazardous chemicals, by facilitating information tion is long-term loss of ecosystem function and pro-
exchange about their characteristics, by providing for ductivity caused by disturbances from which the land
a national decision-making process on their import cannot recover unaided. While Sustainable Land Man-
and export and by disseminating these decisions to agement is focused on changes in land cover/land use
Parties. in order to maintain and enhance ecosystems functions
and services.
Annex III Chemicals
• The chemicals listed in Annex III include pesticides and 28.16. I NTERNATIONAL WHALING
industrial chemicals that have been banned or severely COMMISSION
restricted for health or environmental reasons by two • The International Whaling Commission is the global
or more Parties and which the Conference of the Parties intergovernmental body charged with the conservation
has decided to subject to the PIC procedure. of whales and the management of whaling with head-
• There are a total of 43 chemicals listed in Annex III, 32 quarters in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
are pesticides (including 4 severely hazardous pesticide
formulations) and 11 industrial chemicals.
• It was set up under the International Convention for the
Regulation of Whaling which was signed in Washington
One notification from each of two specified regions triggers DC on 2nd December 1946
consideration of addition of a chemical to Annex III of the
Preamble
Convention. Severely hazardous pesticide formulations that
present a risk under conditions of use in developing coun- To provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and
tries or countries with economies in transition may also be thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling
proposed for inclusion in Annex III. industry.
• Main duty
28.15. UNCCD • To keep under review and revise as necessary the
• Established in 1994, UNCCD is the sole legally binding measures laid down in the Schedule to the Convention
international agreement linking environment and de- which govern the conduct of whaling throughout the
velopment to sustainable land management. world.
• The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up • These measures, among other things, provide for the
approach, encouraging the participation of local people complete protection of certain species; designate speci-
in combating desertification and land degradation. fied areas as whale sanctuaries; set limits on the num-
• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertifica- bers and size of whales which may be taken; prescribe
tion (UNCCD) is one of the Rio Conventions that focuses open and closed seasons and areas for whaling; and
on desertification, land degradation and drought prohibit the capture of suckling calves and female
(DLDD). whales accompanied by calves.
• ‘Desertification’ as defined in the UNCCD refers to land • The compilation of catch reports and other statistical
degradation in the drylands (arid, semi arid and dry sub and biological records is also required.
humid regions) resulting from various factors and does • In 1986 the Commission introduced zero catch limits
not connote spread or expansion of deserts. for commercial whaling. This provision is still in place
• UNCCD with 194 Parties is a unique instrument that today, although the Commission continues to set catch
recognises land degradation as an important factor af- limits for aboriginal subsistence whaling.
•
As well as keeping whale catch limits under review, the the industry and for accessing the Protocol’s Financial
Commission works to promote the recovery of depleted Mechanism in accordance with the requirements stipu-
whale populations by addressing a range of specific is- lated in the Montreal Protocol.
sues. These include ship strikes, entanglement events, • The Ministry of Environment and Forests established
environmental concerns and establishing protocols for

an Ozone Cell and a steering committee on the Montreal

whale watching. Protocol to facilitate implementation of the India Coun-
try Programme for phasing out ODS (ozone depleting
28.17. VIENNA CONVENTION substances) production by 2010.
•
Vienna convention adopted in the year 1985 and entered • In order to meet the objectives of the Protocol, the In-
into force in 1988.

dian government has granted full exemption from pay-

•
It acts as a framework for the international efforts to ment of Customs and Central Excise Duties on import
protect the ozone layer however it does not include le- of goods designed exclusively for non-ODS technology.
gally binding reduction goals for the use of CFCs. • India has also been facilitating implementation of the
•

The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Montreal Protocol in South and South East Asia and the
Layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that De- Pacific regions.
plete the Ozone Layer are dedicated to the protection of
the earth’s ozone layer. With 197 parties, they are the 28.18 KIGALI AGREEMENT
most widely ratified treaties in United Nations history. •
Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal
Montreal Protocol Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
held in Kigali, Rwanda amended the 1987 Montreal Pro-
• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the

tocol to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Ozone Layer was designed to reduce the production and
consumption of ozone depleting substances in order to •
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were discontinued under
reduce their abundance in the atmosphere, and thereby the Montreal Protocol when scientists realised they
protect the earth’s fragile ozone Layer. were destroying the ozone layer.
• The treaty was opened for signature on September 16, •
HFCs were introduced in the 1990s as an alternative to
replace chemicals that had been found to erode the

1987, and entered into force on January 1, 1989, followed

by a first meeting in Helsinki, May 1989. Since then, it ozone layer, but turned out to be catastrophic for global
has undergone seven revisions, in 1990 (London), 1991 warming.
(Nairobi), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vi- •
HFCs - though they are greenhouse gases like carbon
enna), 1997 (Montreal), and 1999 (Beijing). dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide - are not dealt with
under the Paris Agreement but under the Montreal Pro-
India and Protection of Ozone Layer
tocol.
• India became a Party to the Vienna Convention for the

• The elimination of HFCs could reduce global warming

Protection of Ozone Layer on 19 June 1991 and the Mon-

by 0.5 degrees by 2100, according to a 2015 study by the

treal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer
Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.
on 17 September 1992.
• Consequently, it ratified the Copenhagen, Montreal and •
However, swapping HFCs for alternatives such as am-
monia, water or gases called hydrofluoroolefins could

Beijing Amendments in 2003.

prove costly for developing countries with high summer
• India produces CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, Halon-1211,

temperatures, such as India.
HCFC-22, Halon-1301, Carbontetrachloride (CTC), me-
thyl chloroform and methyl bromide. These ozone De-
•
The Kigali Agreement for HFCs reduction will be bind-
ing on countries from 2019.
pleting Substances (ODS) are used in refrigeration and
air conditioning, fire fighting, electronics, foams,aerosol •
Under legally binding Kigali Amendment, 197 countries
fumigation applications. have agreed to a timeline to reduce the use of HFCs by
roughly 85% of their baselines by 2045.
• A detailed India Country Programme for phase out of
• Group 1 - Developed countries must reduce their use of

ODS was prepared in 1993 to ensure the phase out of

ODS according to the national industrial development HFCs by 10 percent by 2019 from 2011-2013 levels, and
strategy, without undue burden to the consumers and then by 85 percent by 2036.
•
A second group of developing countries, including China It also controls the trans-boundary movement of mercury.
and African nations, are committed to launching the It does not include natural emissions of mercury.
transition in 2024. Mercury is considered to be one of the most toxic metals
•
A reduction of 10 percent compared with 2020-2022 known. Once released into the environment, mercury bio-
levels should be achieved by 2029, to be extended to 80 accumulates and bio-magnifies up in the food chain, and
percent by 2045. easily enters the human body and impacts the nervous
•
A third group of developing countries, which include system.
India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Arab Gulf states, must
begin the process in 2028 and reduce emissions by 10 The Minamata Convention requires that party
percent by 2032 from 2024-2026 levels, and then by 85 nations:
percent by 2047. • Reduce and where feasible eliminate the use and release

of mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Do you know?
• Control mercury air emissions from coal-fired power

The Rajasthan government is said to be setting up of a plants, coal-fired industrial boilers, certain non-ferrous
captive breeding centre for the Great Indian Bustard fol- metals production operations, waste incineration,and
lowing a proposal made by the Wildlife Institute of India. cement production.
• Phase-out or take measures to reduce mercury use in
28.19. GLOBALLY IMPORTANT

certain products such as batteries, switches, lights, cos-

AGRICULTUR AL HERITAGE SYSTEMS metics, pesticides and measuring devices, and create
initiatives to reduce the use of mercury in dental amal-
The FAO recognizes the agricultural heritage regions of the
gam.
world under a programme titled Globally Important Agri-
cultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). The purpose of GIAHS • Phase out or reduce the use of mercury in manufactur-

is to recognize “Remarkable land use systems and land- ing processes such as chlor-alkali production, vinyl
scapes which are rich in globally significant biological di- chloride monomer production, and acetaldehyde pro-
versity evolving from the co-adaptation of a community duction.
with its environment and its needs and aspirations for • In addition, the Convention addresses the supply and
sustainable development”.

trade of mercury; safer storage and disposal, and strat-

In our country so far the following sites have received rec- egies to address contaminated sites.
ognition under this programme: • The Convention includes provisions for technical as-

1. Traditional Agricultural System, Koraput, Odisha

sistance, information exchange, public awareness, and
2. Below Sea Level Farming System, Kuttanad, Kerala

research and monitoring. It also requires Parties to re-
port on measures taken to implement certain provi-
In the Koraput system, women have played a key role in the
sions. The Convention will be periodically evaluated to
conservation of biodiversity. The Kuttanad system was de-
veloped by farmers over 150 years ago to ensure their food assess its effectiveness in meeting its objective of pro-
security by learning to cultivate rice and other crops below tecting human health and the environment from mer-
sea level. The Kuttanad System is now attracting worldwide cury pollution.
attention since one of the effects of global warming is sea The Minamata Convention entered into force on August
level rise. It has therefore been an act of vision on the part 2017. The first CoP to the Minamata Convention on Mer-
of Kerala government to have decided to set up an Interna- cury (COP1) took place in September 2017 at the Interna-
tional Research and Training Centre for Below Sea Level tional Conference Centre in Geneva. The COP 2 will take
Farming in Kuttanad. place in November 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for ratifica-
28.20. MINAMATA CONVENTION tion of Minamata Convention on Mercury along with flex-
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to ibility for continued use of mercury-based products and
protect human health and the environment from anthro- processes involving mercury compound up to 2025 and
pogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury depositing the instrument of ratification enabling India to
compounds. It was adopted in 2013 in Kumamoto, Japan. become a Party of the Convention.