South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network

South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network Latest News

Recently, member countries of the South Asia  Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) have adopted the “Kathmandu Declaration” to strengthen regional cooperation against illegal  wildlife trade and related transnational organised  crime.

About South Asia  Wildlife Enforcement Network

• It is an intergovernmental law enforcement support body of South Asian countries.
• Member Countries: It comprises eight South Asian countries namely: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 
• It was officially launched in 2011 during the second meeting of South Asia Experts Group on Illegal Wildlife Trade held in Paro, Bhutan.
• Aim: SAWEN aims to combat wildlife crime through cooperation, collaboration, coordination, capacity building and communication.
• Secretariat: It was formally established in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2011.
• Objectives
  • To take initiatives for bringing harmonization and standardization in laws and policies of member countries concerning conservation of wild fauna and flora;
  • To document the trend of poaching and illegal wildlife trade, and related threats to the natural biodiversity within and across countries in the region;
  • To strengthen institutional responses to combat wildlife crime by promoting partnership with relevant institutions for research and information sharing, training and capacity building, and technical support; and
  • To encourage member countries to prepare and implement their National Action Plans to combat wildlife crime and to collaborate towards effective implementation of such plans.
• Governance Structure
  • It consists of a General Assembly as an apex body of SAWEN comprising ministers of the concerned ministry or his/her senior level government delegate.
  • Executive Committee (EC): It consists of all principal focal persons of the member countries.
  • Secretariat: It is headed by the Secretary General to perform day to day activities.

Source: News On Air

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