Two regional Training of Trainers (ToT) were organized by South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) in cooperation with the Government of India and in collaboration with TRAFFIC India, WWF Bhutan, WWF Nepal and financial support from Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, USA. The first ToT was held from 21 to 30 November 2023 and second was from 11 to 19 December 2023 in Dehradun and New Delhi, India. Both of these programmes aimed to strengthen and build the capacity of law enforcement officers from five SAWEN member countries; Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. A total of 68 officials from various law enforcement agencies including Forest/ Wildlife Departments, Police, and paramilitary forces from respective countries attended the training.

Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Chief Enforcement Coordinator (CEC) of SAWEN and Director General (DG) of Department of National Parks Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), during the inauguration ceremony, thanked the governments of respective countries in nominating the officials for the training. He shared about the complex nature of Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and emphasized the importance of building capacity of frontline officials as a means to tackle the IWT. Dr. Dhungana requested all the participants to share their field experiences and learn best practices from each other.

The training sessions included an overview on wildlife crime in South Asia; CITES and its implementation; coordination and cooperation for tackling wildlife crime in Asia; human-wildlife conflict fueling wildlife crime; introduction to wildlife forensics; identification of wildlife parts and products; protocol for mortality of protected and regulated species and other species with case studies; seizure of live animals (exotic/native) and handling; wildlife cybercrime and cyber forensics. Field sessions on search and collection, wildlife crime scene management, evidence collection, and documentation process were also conducted to provide hands-on experience to the participants. 

SAWEN remains dedicated to enhancing the capacity of law enforcement officials and is committed to organizing similar programs in the future to continue the fight against illegal wildlife trade.