Forging a regional alliance to strengthen South Asia’s fight against wildlife crime and protect biodiversity through coordinated action.
In 2025, the Environmental Foundation (EFL) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN), marking a major step in regional collaboration to combat wildlife crime and advance EFL’s long-standing pursuit of Justice for Nature.
SAWEN, an intergovernmental body formed in 2011 and comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, works to strengthen coordination, intelligence exchange, and capacity building to address the transnational nature of wildlife crime. Operating from its Secretariat in Kathmandu, SAWEN has facilitated information-sharing and joint action among member states to protect biodiversity and curb illegal trade.
EFL, Sri Lanka’s pioneering public interest environmental organization since 1981, has played a central role in environmental litigation, policy reform, and advocacy. Over the past four years, EFL has spearheaded one of the country’s most comprehensive initiatives to counter wildlife trafficking- enhancing multi-agency coordination, improving regulatory mechanisms, and fostering collaboration among enforcement bodies and regional partners. Its approach recognizes the intersection between wildlife crime, financial misconduct, and corruption, emphasizing the need for systemic responses that tackle both environmental and governance dimensions.
The MoU between EFL and SAWEN establishes a framework for sustained partnership through joint research, training, and strategic interventions. It reflects a shared commitment to strengthen enforcement networks, support evidence-based policymaking, and build long-term resilience against biodiversity loss in South Asia. This collaboration symbolizes a united regional front-transforming shared challenges into opportunities for collective action and lasting protection of the region’s natural heritage.
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