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CITES Eases Export of Agarwood from India, Benefiting Farmers
Context:
India has successfully prevented the inclusion of Aquilaria malaccensisn(agarwood), in the Review of Significant Trade (RST) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
More on News:
- CITES has set a new export quota for the highly valuable agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis) resin and oil from India, starting in April 2024.
- Agarwood is cultivated across various parts of India, especially in the northeast, this new quota will benefit thousands of farmers in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura.
CITES Review and Export Quotas
- Aquilaria malaccensis was first listed in CITES Appendix II in 1995, following India’s proposal at CoP9 in 1994.
- India’s removal from the RST for Aquilaria malaccensis was based on a non-detriment findings (NDFs) study conducted by the BSI and the MMoEFCC. This decision has left many farmers disappointed.
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- Harvesting should not occur from wild populations or protected areas.
- Harvesting is permissible from home/community gardens, leased lands, and various types of plantations.
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- For 2024–2027, the NDF recommended an export quota:
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- Agarwood chips and powder/sawdust: 151,080 kg/year
- Agarwood oil: 7,050 kg/year.
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Research Findings:
- The team conducted over 25 field trips in four months.
- The study revealed that it is one of the most widely cultivated species in Northeast India, with an estimated 13.99 crore plants worldwide.
- Naturally, it forms when fungi and bacteria infect Aquilaria malaccensis after larvae from the stem borer Neurozerra conferta bore into the wood.
- Plants older than seven years are susceptible to fungal infection. In some areas seen in plants as young as under two years.
- It can be artificially induced using physical, chemical, or biological methods or a combination of these.
- This technique is used in regions where natural infection is low or absent. The ideal age for inoculation is six to eight years
- Uses for traditional incense, its extracts are also used in water-based perfumes, air fresheners, and purifiers. The essential oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic, and antioxidant properties.
Impact on India:
- The lack of an export quota and trade restrictions led to a rise in the informal trade of agarwood products to the Middle East and other countries.
- This drove up the costs as India, a major trading nation, has extensive trade relationships with many importing countries.
- Despite the export ban, Between 2017 and 2021, TRAFFIC reported seizures of over 1.25 tonnes of chips and 6 litres of oil/derivatives across six states in India.
- Although having an export quota since November 2021, growers and farmers struggled to trade agarwood legally due to numerous legal restrictions.
About Agarwood:
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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- International Agreement: Signed by 184 parties in 1973 and entered into force in 1975.
- Purpose: To ensure international trade in animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild.
- India Joined CITES in 1976.
- The CITES Secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
