What would you like to search for?

Countering wildlife trafficking
© WWF-Bhutan
About the project

Countering wildlife trafficking in South Asia region through wildlife crime prevention framework

The project aims to counter illegal wildlife trafficking in South Asia regions through strengthened capacity, enhanced regional cooperation and access to effective tools and technologies. South Asia is a major source and transit hub for illegal wildlife trade. The region has limited capacities in terms of awareness of the law enforcement agencies on legislations related to wildlife, and inadequate technical capacities for detection, investigation and prosecution of wildlife crimes. Access to tools and technologies are also limited, and there is a lack of coordination among countries. Therefore, the project seeks to strengthen the capacities of the law enforcement agencies in effective countering of illegal trade and wildlife crimes through various capacity strengthening programs at the national and regional levels. The projects activities are also designed to enhance the regional cooperation across the South Asian Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Through the network, law enforcement agencies such as investigator and prosecutor come together for knowledge exchange, discuss issues and challenges and way forward for better coordination among agencies at the national and regional levels.

curve

Objectives

  • 1. Enhance investigative and enforcement functions to target the transit of wildlife products
  • 2. Increase interdiction of the illegal trade of wildlife
  • 3. Enhance prosecutorial and judicial capacity to prosecute traffickers
  • 4. Enhance cross-border coordination and information sharing to investigate networks of wildlife trafficking

Project Approach

The project interventions are focused on capacity strengthening of law enforcement agencies in the SAWEN countries for effective interdiction, investigation and prosecution of wildlife crimes.

Through the project, training and workshops are organized at the regional and country levels. Project activities will enhance the technical capacity of the law enforcement agencies and strengthen coordination and collaboration among different agencies, both at the regional and national levels, for effective countering of wildlife-related crimes. To complement the technical capacity of enforcement agencies, appropriate tools and technologies is leveraged for increased interdiction, detection, and monitoring works.

Geographic Coverage

The project is being implemented through the WWF Network offices in Bhutan, India and Nepal and the activities are implemented across the SAWEN countries.

Partners

  • Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, Pangbisa, Paro

  • Department of Forests and Park Services

  • SAWEN

Implementing Partners

  • Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, Pangbisa, Paro

  • Department of Forests and Park Services

  • SAWEN Member Countries

h