Conservation experts gather in Asia to achieve “zero poaching”
Environment — di Lorenzo Brenna
A symposium titled “Towards Zero Poaching in Asia” has concluded in Nepal, focusing on initiatives to combat poaching across the continent.
Conservation experts gather in Asia to achieve “zero poaching”
A symposium titled “Towards Zero Poaching in Asia” has concluded in Nepal, focusing on initiatives to combat poaching across the continent.
Eradicating the rampant poaching that grips the Asian continent and is seriously threatening the survival of its iconic species such as the tiger (Panthera tigris), the rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the elephant (Elephas maximus).
It was with this aim in mind that wildlife experts representing 13 Asian countries, including Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia and Vietnam, along with anti-poaching authorities from around the world, gathered in Kathmandu, Nepal, for the "Towards Zero Poaching in Asia" symposium.
The meeting, which began on 2 February and concluded on the 6th, was organised by the Nepalese government in collaboration with WWF Nepal, with the aim of broadening cooperation between countries and sharing best anti-poaching practices and technologies.
The symposium was held in Nepal because the country has achieved the very goal that Asia has set itself: zero poaching. In 2014, not a single rhinoceros, tiger or elephant was killed in the small Himalayan nation.
"Nepal has achieved exceptional results in creating a 'zero poaching' model that can be scaled up across Asia and to other parts of the world," said Sharad Chandra Paudel, Nepal's Minister of Forests and Soil Conservation, at the opening of the symposium.
The minister also called on stakeholders, experts and local communities to focus their efforts on putting an end to wildlife crimes, such as poaching and illegal wildlife trade, including through anti-poaching campaigns.
Nepal owes its success in part to its engagement of local communities, who are involved in the management, conservation and use of forest resources. Furthermore, 50 per cent of the revenues generated by national parks is invested in community development activities, such as the construction of schools and infrastructure, indirectly supporting wildlife conservation.
The symposium highlighted that the main factors driving the increase in crimes against biodiversity are poverty, greed, unemployment, corruption, lack of awareness, political instability and weak law enforcement.