EPCH requests MoEFCC to delist Sheesham from CITES Appendix II

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) vide Notification to the parties No. 2016/063 dated November 29, 2016, had 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.

EPCH took up the matter with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 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. The Dalbergia Sissoo has been placed in appendix II of the CITES and are grown by farmers in India as an agro forestry crop.