Wildlife Crime Detection Training to Customs Officials Completed

South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, WWF Nepal and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) successfully organized "Training on Wildlife Crime Detection to Customs Officials of Nepal" on 20-22 February 2019 in Godavari, Lalitpur, Nepal. The major objective of the training was to capacitate the Customs Officials in wildlife crime detection with focus in wildlife parts and products identification.

The three-day training program was started with a brief inauguration ceremony. Mr. Pradeep Bhattarai, Senior Environment Officer of SAWEN, welcomed all the participants and highlighted that the efforts of SAWEN in combating illegal wildlife trade was not possible without the empowerment and coordination with the law enforcement officials including Customs.

The program was jointly inaugurated by the Chairperson of the ceremony, Mr. Man Bahadur Khadka, Chief Enforcement Coordinator of SAWEN and Director General of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation; and Special Guest Mr. Toyam Raya, Director General of Department of Customs. Mr. Man Bahadur Khadka emphasized the important role of customs officials in combating illegal wildlife trade as being the frontline law enforcement personnel in border areas and assured to continue such initiative of capacitating Customs Officials in Nepal. Further he stressed on the need of such training to disseminate knowledge and create awareness on illegal wildlife trade to hinder the growing illegal trade in wild species. Special Guest of the ceremony, Mr. Toyam Raya acknowledged the effort of SAWEN, and collaborative partners in attempt to empower Customs Officials on wider aspects of wildlife crime and realizing the role of customs officials in this sector. He also urged the trainees to collect outmost knowledge on this subject matter and requested to spread the knowledge in their working area. Guest for the program, Mr. Shiva Raj Bhatta, Director of Program, WWF Nepal emphasized the importance of biodiversity, its severity in today's context and appealed all the Customs Officials in playing proactive and positive role for their conservation by minimizing illegal wildlife trade.