COP19: CITES relaxes restrictions on export of Indian shisham products

Subject :Environment

Context:

In news-

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)relaxed restrictions on the export of furniture and handicrafts made of North Indian rosewood or shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) from India November 21, 2022.
Earlier, India had sent a proposal for delisting the species to CITES ahead of COP18 held in Sri Lanka.

Shesham-

India has two species of Dalbergia, of which D. latifolia (Indian rosewood) is classified ‘vulnerable’, while D. sissoo or North Indian rosewood is widely grown.
Dalbergia sissoo is native to the foothills of the Himalayas ranging from Afghanistan in the west to Bihar, India, in the east. It also occurs naturally in Iran.

Common uses of shesham-

Timber
Fuel wood
Traditional medicine (The tree’s seed oil and powdered wood are used in the treatment of skin ailments. Dalbergia sissoo may also have efficacy in the treatment of stomach and blood conditions.)
Tooth brushes
Pesticide (An ethanolic extract of the fruits of D. sissoo exhibited molluscicidal effects against eggs of the freshwater snail Biomphalariapfeifferi.)
Construction

Restrictions on shisham export-

The restrictions on export of all shisham products were imposed when CITES added the species to Appendix II of the Convention in 2017.
This dealt a long-term blow to the country’s furniture and handicrafts industry.
At present, every consignment of handicrafts and furniture weighing above 10 kilograms requires a CITES permit.
Due to this restriction, exports of furniture and handicrafts made of shisham from India fell to Rs 500-600 crore per year after the listing, from an estimated Rs 1,000 crore per annum before the listing.

India’s demand at CITES-

India wanted D. sissoo or North Indian rosewood to be removed from the CITES Appendix II.
But it was opposed by 55 nations, including countries of the European Union, Canada and Argentina.

What are the relaxed norms for shesham export-

The delisting of the species from Appendix II on India’s behest could not happen due to a lack of technology for distinguishing different species of Dalbergia in the finished goods.
Considering India’s proposal, the parties and the CITES Secretariatagreed to allow Indian artisans to ship any number of items made of North Indian rosewood, each weighing under 10 kg, without the CITES permit in a single consignment.
It was also agreed upon that only the net weight of timber in the handicraft or furniture will be considered, and all other items like metal, glass or resin will be ignored.