Interagency co-op must for fighting wildlife trade

Interagency cooperation needs to be strengthened, while criminal justice system needs to be reformed to control illegal wildlife trade as wildlife offenders have a very strong international network, speakers said yesterday.

Illegal wildlife trade is booming globally day by day and the wildlife offenders are using very sophisticated technology as well as changing their trafficking pattern frequently. So, government officials also have to stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends and use of internet to track offenders, the speakers said at an international workshop titled "Wildlife Trade and CITES".

Representatives from the Secretariat of the CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and Interpol participated in the workshop held at the Forest Department's office in the capital.

Stressing the need for collaboration among countries, Dr Haruko Okusu, the capacity building coordinator, CITES Secretariat, Geneva, said wildlife crimes can be controlled if countries reform their national laws in line with the CITES and ensure their implementation.

Sarwoer Alam, executive magistrate, Rapid Action Battalion suggested building a strong network among the national and international stakeholders.

John Kimani, criminal intelligence officer from the environmental sub directorate of Interpol, spoke at the event where Edward Van Asch, associate programme manager officer of International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime, Modinatul Ahsan from Wildlife Crime Control Unit, and Abu Naser Mohsin, assistant conservator of forest, presented papers.

Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, secretary to the environment and forests ministry, was present as chief guest while Md Yunus Ali, chief conservator of forest, Forest Department, chaired the event also attended by police, Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh and Navy members.