A SAWEN side event concluded during third ARRCM

SAWEN organized a side event on 04 February 2023 at Kasara, Chitwan, Nepal coinciding with 'Third Asian Rhino Range Countries Meeting (Third ARRCM)'. The program aimed to facilitate trans-boundary cooperation and collaboration through SAWEN in minimizing trans-border wildlife crime among the member countries especially Bhutan, India and Nepal.

Chair of the event Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, CEC of SAWEN, welcomed the delegates from Bhutan, India and Nepal who were also participating in the 'Third ARRCM'. The event was also attended by governmental officers from Nepal and representatives from various support organizations, including ZSL Nepal Office, WWF Nepal, WWF India and International Rhino Foundation (IRF).

The event reemphasized SAWEN's mandate to cooperate with the member countries and collaborate with support organizations, inter-governmental organizations in the region and beyond. Strengths and opportunities of regional cooperation along with its challenges to overcome were also shared during the presentation delivered by Mr. Pradeep Bhattarai, SEO of SAWEN. Delegates and representatives inquired about SAWEN including working modality; trans-border collaboration initiatives; linkages with other inter-governmental organizations such as INTERPOL; institutional set up at the SAWEN Secretariat and more.

Dr. Dhakal and Mr. Bhattarai responded the queries and shared SAWEN's practices and approaches applied since its formal launch in 2011. The event highlighted the recognition of border patrol and trans-border cooperation in combating wildlife crime between India and Nepal. Ongoing trans-boundary meetings were acknowledged as valuable means for sharing best practices and resolving bilateral issues. Reliable information sharing, exchange of strategies, and continuous discussions were remembered. The importance of field-level meetings between national parks and wildlife sanctuaries was deemed crucial. The Trans-boundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA) initiative between Bhutan and India and SAWEN's role in mediating information sharing were highly recognized.