The second bilateral meeting between Laos and Thailand on wildlife law enforcement was held in Vientiane last week, aiming to explore and develop methods and mechanisms to ensure the efficient exchange of information and communication, in order to strengthen law enforcement in the respective countries.
The two parties aimed to seek an undertaking and identify joint activities between agencies and departments, which may include joint enforcement operations, investigations, capacity building and training activities.
The meeting served as a forum for exchanging knowledge and information relevant to the illegal wildlife trade occurring in and between Laos and Thailand as origin, destination and transit countries. The participants placed special emphasis on specific wildlife species and locations of illegal trade.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Ty Phommasak, along with delegations from the sectors of Forestry Inspection, Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Import and Export, Customs, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and soldiers, police and related law enforcement agencies from Laos and Thailand.
“Wildlife is important for natural ecosystems and humans living in the world, so we are all bound to protect them, especially the protected wildlife and species that have nearly disappeared,” Dr Ty said.
To combat the illegal wildlife trade and crime effectively in Laos and Thailand, each country should have good mechanisms and measures for management and prevention, he stressed.
Each agency related to wildlife management in Laos and Thailand has a responsibility to raise awareness among the community about the importance of wildlife, organising activities and formulating policies and measures to this effect.
Dr Ty said he expected that through sharing experience and discussion among meeting participants, they will boost cooperation, information shari ng and joint wildlife law enforcement between the two counties. The two sides will further the development of a strategic plan for joint activities of mutual interest on wildlife law enforcement, communication and public outreach, including the possibility of holding a third meeting, cognisant of international, regional and national commitments.
Some markets in Laos are currently still trading wildlife for consumption and local people are still hunting wildlife for their consumption and sale. Some species command high prices and are prized for their bones and pelts, bound for affluent markets in the region.
In the past, Lao authorities have seized 1,000kg of protected wildlife species, both live and dead, which were hunted from the rivers and forests of Laos.
Information Source: Vientiane Times Newspaper
Please share your feedback below and help us improve our content.