Kathmandu, September 10, 2026: Bangladesh Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has called for stronger regional cooperation in South Asia to combat the growing threat of transnational and organised wildlife crime.
Speaking at the first General Assembly of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) in Kathmandu on Thursday, the minister stressed the need to strengthen regional intelligence sharing, coordinated law enforcement and joint operations.
He said wildlife and ecosystems do not recognise political borders, while criminal networks are increasingly using borders, transport routes, trade channels, online platforms and financial systems to conduct wildlife trafficking.
The minister called for law enforcement agencies to go beyond wildlife seizures and arrests and identify the organisers, financiers and wider criminal networks behind such crimes. He also urged authorities to use every seizure as an opportunity to gather intelligence on the source, routes, people involved, financing and intended destinations.
Mintoo highlighted the importance of online monitoring, cyber investigations and digital evidence to tackle wildlife crime conducted through digital platforms. He also called for financial investigations, asset tracing and anti-money laundering measures in major wildlife crime cases.
He stressed greater use of wildlife forensics, DNA analysis, digital forensics and geospatial technologies, alongside joint training and expert exchanges among member states. He also called for stronger regional cooperation in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation.
Referring to the proposed SAWEN Strategic Plan 2026–2030, the minister said it provides an important opportunity to turn regional priorities into a practical and implementable programme focusing on intelligence sharing, law enforcement, criminal justice, digital and financial investigations, science and forensics, capacity building and demand reduction.
He said the first SAWEN General Assembly offers a unique opportunity to translate political commitments into concrete action. Bangladesh, he added, remains ready to work with SAWEN member states, international organisations and development partners to build a stronger and more effective regional wildlife law enforcement system.
Nepal’s House of Representatives Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, Agriculture, Forest and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary, SAWEN Secretary General Dr Krishna Prasad Acharya, and representatives from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan, Maldives and Bangladesh attended the assembly.
