CITES Listed Plants of Nepal and their Trade Status for Last 50 Years

Abstract

Over the past 50 years, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has played a significant role in regulating and controlling the unsustainable international trade of wildlife and plants, protecting significant number of species. Nepal, as the 12^th party to CITES, has actively participated in these conservation efforts. This review examines the history of Nepalese plant inclusion and deletion in CITES appendices, compiles a comprehensive list of Nepalese plant species listed under CITES, and assesses their trade status. The analysis was based on CITES COP documents related to amendment of Nepal’s CITES listed plants, their relevant resolutions, the CITES trade database, Nepalese customs data. Currently, 509 Nepalese plant species are listed under CITES, comprising 504 species in Appendix II and five species in Appendix III, with none included in Appendix I. Between 1977 and 2024, a total of 118 plant species were exported from Nepal for commercial purpose including 82 native and 36 non-native species. Nardostachys jatamansi has remained in continuous trade since 2008 except 2019, while no trade has been recorded for Appendix III species. The findings highlight the challenges of delisting the species once included in Appendix I and II and also suggest to include those species in Appendix III which are traded in high volume. Outreaching the stakeholder for awareness, promoting propagation, regular funding for supporting research, strong implementation of relevant plans, policies and legislation are keys for conservation of endangered plants species.