The South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN), in collaboration with WWF Nepal and TRAFFIC India, organized a Regional Training of Trainers on Wildlife Crime Investigation, Prosecution, and Legal Documentation from 15 to 19 July 2024 in Sauraha, Nepal. The event brought together 31 participants from five SAWEN member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of forest and law enforcement officials by improving their knowledge and practical skills in handling wildlife crime cases more effectively. 

During his welcome remarks, Mr. Dil Bahadur Purja Pun, Senior Conservation Officer at Chitwan National Park, highlighted the need for skilled and committed professionals in conservation efforts. He added that such capacity-building initiatives would contribute significantly toward achieving these conservation goals.

Mr. Madhav Khadka, Head of Wildlife Trade Monitoring at WWF Nepal, stressed the importance of proper legal documentation from the crime scene to the courtroom. He also underlined the need to link evidence to suspects and manage custody while respecting human rights.

Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), emphasized that addressing transnational wildlife crime requires strong coordination between government agencies and local communities. He noted that the training would help improve legal processes and foster cooperation among participating countries.

Dr. Krishna Prasad Acharya, Secretary General of SAWEN, reaffirmed SAWEN’s commitment to promoting regional cooperation in tackling wildlife crime. He highlighted the importance of continuous learning, sharing best practices, and adopting new strategies as wildlife crime methods continue to evolve.

Over five days, the training focused on developing practical skills in key areas such as crime scene management, investigative techniques, evidence handling, suspect interviewing, and legal procedures. The sessions combined theoretical knowledge with scenario-based exercises and case studies, providing participants with hands-on experience relevant to real-world situations.

This training marked a significant step in enhancing the skills of frontline officers and building a network of proficient law enforcement personnel across South Asia. It also reinforced the importance of cross-border collaboration in effectively addressing wildlife crime at the regional level.

The training was organized under the financial support from Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), USA.