The MoU stipulates that both countries can exchange information related to wildlife crime through the South Asia Wildlife Law Enforcement Network (SAWEN) to control and regulate international wildlife crime.
What you should know
The governments of Nepal and India have signed a bilateral agreement on biodiversity conservation. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of Nepal's Minister for Forests and Environment, Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, and India's Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav.
The MoU was signed by Nepali Ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma on behalf of Nepal and Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Tanmay Kumar on behalf of India. High-ranking officials of the governments of Nepal and India were present on the occasion, said Forest Ministry Spokesperson Maheshwar Dhakal.
Nepal and India are parties to various international conventions on biodiversity and other environmental protection under the United Nations. There are protected areas and biological routes in the border areas of both countries, and many wild animals including elephants, rhinos and tigers cross the border freely and unhindered in those areas.
Therefore, this MoU is expected to play a role in coordinating and cooperating with each other in the areas of protected areas, biodiversity and wildlife crime control, adopting a common strategy on biodiversity, and developing the capacity of employees working in the field.
In addition, the MoU will support the control and regulation of poaching and illegal trade of wildlife in cross-border areas, conduct research and monitoring on wildlife, and develop public awareness and capacity at the local level, said Forest Minister Chaulagain.
The implementation of the MoU is expected to support the conservation of biodiversity of both countries by organizing regular patrols and meetings in the border areas of both countries to exchange experience and knowledge, develop and expand good practices, and promptly exchange information on wildlife and illegal trade.
The MoU stipulates that both countries can exchange information on wildlife crimes to the South Asia Wildlife Law Enforcement Network (SAWEN) to control and regulate international wildlife crimes.
On behalf of Nepal, the Ministry and its subordinate Departments of Forest and Soil Conservation and National Parks and Wildlife Conservation at the center, and the Ministries of Forest and Environment, Protected Areas and Divisional Forest Offices of the respective provinces at the local level will coordinate and cooperate to implement the MoU.
The agreement will be automatically renewed every five years and reviewed every three years unless one of the countries notifies in writing through diplomatic channels. The agreement states that if any problem arises during the implementation of the agreement, it will be resolved through mutual agreement.
