Exotic species

They are opposite of native species.
They are animals and plant species introduced from other countries and which are not otherwise found locally are termed exotic.
These introduced or exotic species can adversely affect the ecosystem.

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN (The World Conservation Union). The text of the Convention was finally agreed at a meeting of representatives of 80 countries in Washington, D.C., the United States of America, on 3 March 1973, and on 1 July 1975 CITES entered in force.

CITES is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration organizations adhere voluntarily.
CITES is legally binding on the Parties, but it does not take the place of national laws of parties. States have to adopt their own domestic legislation to implement its goals.
It is administered through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Geneva, Switzerland.
The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices i.e, I, II and III, according to the degree of protection they need and they are vulnerable

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change has issued an advisory notice that there will be compulsory screening of the exotic live species which are imported.
The move comes as the outbreak of COVID19 has raised global concern about illegal wildlife trade and zoonotic diseases.
Exotic live animals according to the government means, animals which have been listed in Appendix I, II and III of CITES
From now on the exotic species importer shall obtain a no-objection certificate from the Chief Wildlife Warden ( CWLW) of the State.
For those who already have these species, they have been asked to voluntarily disclose its presence to the Chief Wildlife Warden of their respective states.

The Chief Wildlife Warden is the statutory authority, under the Wildlife Protection Act, who heads the Wildlife Wing of the department and exercises complete administrative control over Protected Areas (PAs) within a state.

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