South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) in collaboration with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB, Central Level), Government of Nepal organized a training on wildlife law enforcement to officials from National Investigation Department (NID), Nepal on 24-26 February 2021 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

An inauguration program was held in presence of Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal, Director General of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and Chief Enforcement Coordinator (CEC) of SAWEN and Mr. Laxman Gurung, Investigation Director, NID, Nepal. Mr. Gurung shared the objectives of NID and strong associations of information sharing in wildlife crime control like other crimes. He had shown his belief on course coverage and participants' enthusiasm to intake additional knowledge which will be implemented in the field that ultimately support to achieve the objectives of law enforcement agencies and also SAWEN. Chairperson, Dr. Kharal recalled the importance of information and intelligence in combating wildlife crime and reminded the biodiversity conservation as citizen and official liability for habitable nature.

Twenty-five participants from the Kathmandu Valley and adjoining districts participated in three days training. The training was primarily focused on wildlife crime and related subject matters incorporating biodiversity conservation, human wildlife conflict, wildlife crime issues on global context to national scenario and more. The participants gathered knowledge on conservation practices in Nepal, protected species, role of law enforcement agencies, coordination mechanism, illegal wildlife trade in local, national, regional and global scale, identification techniques of major illegally traded species and prevailing wildlife laws in Nepal. Active participation of trainees and noble facilitation created the learning environment more conducive.

In the last day of training, a brief closing program was organized in chairpersonship of Dr. Kharal and in presence of the chief guest Mr. Ganesh Prasad Adhikari, Chief Investigation Director, NID Nepal. Mr. Pradeep Bhattarai, Senior Environment Officer, SAWEN recalled the course content along with discussed points during the training sessions. Mr. Bed Kumar Dhakal, Planning Officer (Tech.), DNPWC and SAWEN Secondary Focal Person of Nepal passed vote of thanks to invited guests, participants, and facilitators. Congratulating the participants, the chief guest, Mr. Adhikari highlighted on information collection to deter such crime including wildlife crime falls under NID objective and pointed out for enhanced coordination among law enforcement agencies. He has expected in sharing SAWEN member countries' experience in information collection and developing intelligence in similar nature of crime. Commitment in inclusion of wildlife crime in NID curriculum was also shared during his address. Chairperson, Dr. Kharal congratulated all the trainees for successfully completing the training and wished for application of enhanced knowledge while discharging the duties. Dr. Kharal shared his happiness for increasing more collaborative efforts in recent time than before to conserve the natural heritage with collective responsibilities.