Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC).
TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Only 1
Only 2
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
TRAFFIC is an international network that monitors trade in wild animals and plants.
It was established in 1976.
It was established through the cooperation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
TRAFFIC is not a bureau under the United Nations Environment Programme. Therefore, Statement 1 is not correct.
Its mission is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.
It studies the patterns, scale and impacts of both legal and illegal wildlife trade.
Its work includes collecting wildlife-trade data, conducting scientific analysis, assessing risks and providing policy recommendations.
TRAFFIC also provides technical assistance to national enforcement agencies in identifying illegal wildlife trade and trafficking.
It provides useful support for implementing the objectives of CITES, which regulates international wildlife trade.
TRAFFIC itself is neither the Secretariat of CITES nor a statutory enforcement agency.
It works with governments, conservation organizations, scientists, businesses and local communities.
In India, the TRAFFIC programme operates in association with WWF-India.
Its objective is not to eliminate all wildlife trade, but to ensure that trade is legal and sustainable and does not threaten the survival of species.