About South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network:
- It is an intergovernmental law enforcement support body of South Asian countries.
- Member Countries: It comprises eight South Asian countries namely: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- It was officially launched in 2011 during the second meeting of South Asia Experts Group on Illegal Wildlife Trade held in Paro, Bhutan.
- Aim: SAWEN aims to combat wildlife crime through cooperation, collaboration, coordination, capacity building and communication.
- Secretariat: It was formally established in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2011.
- Objectives
- To take initiatives for bringing harmonization and standardization in laws and policies of member countries concerning conservation of wild fauna and flora
- To document the trend of poaching and illegal wildlife trade, and related threats to the natural biodiversity within and across countries in the region
- To strengthen institutional responses to combat wildlife crime by promoting partnership with relevant institutions for research and information sharing, training and capacity building, and technical support
- To encourage member countries to prepare and implement their National Action Plans to combat wildlife crime and to collaborate towards effective implementation of such plans
- Governance Structure:
- It consists of a General Assembly as an apex body of SAWEN comprising minister of the concerned ministry or his/her senior level government delegate.
- Executive Committee (EC): It consists of all principal focal persons of the member countries.
- Secretariat: It is headed by Secretary General to perform day to day activities.
