SAWEN's 8 Join Hands to Save Wildlife
SAWEN's 8 Join Hands to Save Wildlife
Earth is a planet with rare biodiversity compared to the seemingly barren planets that surround it. Preserving ecological balance is critical for the well being of the planet and all its inhabitants. South Asian nations along with the ecological experts from regional as well as international organisations have now come together to combat wildlife crimes and prevent poaching, in a bid to maintain this crucial balance.
At a 4 day meeting of the SAWEN or South Asian Wildlife Enforcement Network, held at Kathmandu in Nepal, the 8 nations vowed to fight against poaching and wildlife crimes through joint efforts. SAWEN is a mechanism formed by the governments of the 8 Asian countries to strengthen the regional alliance and cooperation for combating illegal wildlife trade.
"Delegates at the meeting will boost trans-boundary cooperation and collaboration among countries and organisations via intelligence sharing and exchange of knowledge and skills," Megh Bahadur Pandey, SAWEN's chief enforcement coordinator was quoted as saying.
The SAWEN statute was also adopted at the meeting. This provides details about the complete vision as well as the objectives and functions which will be incorporated into the action plan for battling wildlife crime. This was the second meeting held since SAWEN was formed in the year 2006.
The 8 SAWEN nations are Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka as well as Pakistan. Participants from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Interpol, the World Bank and United Nations Office on Drug and Crime.
Nepal's Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya opened the meeting by urging the 8 nations to review and revise policies and plans for curbing trans-boundary illegal wildlife trade in case it is required.
“Strengthening trans-boundary co-operation and collaboration for intra-country law enforcement initiatives through intelligence sharing on poaching and trade trends, along with exchanging knowledge and skill for fighting wildlife crime across South Asia” was the unanimous stand taken by the nations present.
South Asia is home to around 15% of the flora of the world as well as 12% of its fauna and this includes several iconic species. South Asia is known for its rich biodiversity and it has often been the target of poaching and wildlife crime syndicates. Apart from well known species such as rhinos, elephants and tigers, there are numerous medicinal plants as well as timber and marine species. Apart from these, there are birds and reptiles which are also threatened by crime syndicates.
It was with the purpose of countering such threats that the South Asian Wildlife Enforcement Network was established in the first place. SAWEN has a massive task ahead of it. Hopefully, it will succeed.
