KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation is all set to hold a South Asian level meeting of experts on wildlife crime in the first week of May in the capital. “Experts will discuss issues related to wildlife crime and seek regional cooperation to combat poaching and trading of wildlife body parts,” said Shivaraj Bhatta Spokesperson, Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).

In May 2008, eight member countries of the South Asia Co-operative Programme (SACEP) had pledged to work in tandem and establish South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN).

The meeting is expected to take decisions on

formation of the network. At least three representatives from each SAARC country will be participating in the meeting.

Nepal had hosted Global Tiger Workshop in October last year and an agreement was reached to establish an anti-poaching secretariat in Kathmandu to control wildlife crime.

“We will also discuss establishing the secretariat,” said MoFSC joint secretary Shyam Bajimaya.

The team of experts from each country will include officials from customs department, security forces and forest ministry and departments.

In 2008, ministers from Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Bhutan Bangladesh, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka had met in Jaipur, India and had agreed, in principle, to establish SAWEN.

The countries had endorsed a South Asia regional strategic plan on illegal wildlife trade to focus on key areas of work, including co-operation and co-ordination; effective legislation, policies and law enforcement; sharing knowledge and effective dissemination of information; intelligence networks and early

warning systems; and capacity building.

South Asia is a storehouse of bio-diversity

and is rich in terrestrial, freshwater and marine

resources.

It is also home to 15.5 percent of the world’s flora and 12 percent of the world’s fauna, including endangered species such

as tigers, elephants and

rhinos.