WOODEN PRODUCTS EXPORTERS FACILITATED ON CITES NORMS
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) vide Notification to the parties No. 2016/063 dated 29th November 2016, have placed the entire genus of Dalbergia spp. in Appendix II of the CITES. As a consequence of this action, all exports from India, which are made with any material containing Dalbergia species (Sheesham or rosewood) would henceforth need a CITES permit to be exported to international markets.
EPCH took up the matter with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and CITES Secretariat at Geneva requesting for a reservation in the matter and also proposing comparable document to be issued by EPCH in lieu of CITES permit.
Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director EPCH stated that in order to initiate an active engagement with the CITES Secretariat at Geneva, a delegation from EPCH visited Geneva and through the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) met with officials of the CITES Secretariat and placed before them India’s concern and how it is going to affect India’s exports of wooden handicrafts which is worth Rs. 4000 crores and the livelihood of the thousands who are engaged in cultivation and production of wooden handicrafts from India.
EPCH with Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, has been successfully able to negotiate necessary amendments in the notification issued by CITES. The CITES Secretariat at Geneva accepted India’s reservation in the matter and also proposed comparable document to be issued by EPCH in lieu of CITES permit. The MoEFCC nominated EPCH vide memorandum dated 16th February 2017 to issue the Vriksh Shipment Certificate to the wooden handicrafts exporters.
Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, EPCH, further added that the acceptance of Vriksh shipment certificate as the comparable document to CITES permit has brought much needed relief to wooden handicrafts exporters who were staring at the potential loss of business, owing to the November 2016 notification of CITES.
Sheesham and rosewood constitute one of India’s premier timber species, having multiple uses in the wooden furniture, handicrafts, wooden gifts, musical instruments and plywood/veneer industries. The industry supports over 3000 factories, and over 5000 artisans in clusters of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Saharanpur, Cochin etc. and caters to a large local market in addition to catering to premium markets of Europe, North America and other first world countries. The volume of trade in these timbers is in excess of Rs. 1000 crores, which was in danger of being severely affected due to the movement of the species into Appendix II of CITES. However, the present action of EPCH has come at an opportune time, to facilitate the industry to meet their export commitments, and continue the promotion of the species as a valuable agro-forestry species in India.
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between 183 Countries. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The exports of handicrafts during the latest period April- January 2016-17 have registered a growth of 13.06% in Rupee terms and stands at Rs. 20282.18 crores. However, the growth in dollar terms is 9.43% with exports of US $ 3018.58 million. The export target of US$ 3600 million (Rs. 23560.00 crores) is set for the year 2016-17 and going by the current trend we hope to achieve the target informed Shri Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – EPCH
