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South Asian Media reports: 

The South Asian region is a storehouse of biological diversity and rich terrestrial, freshwater and marine resources. As a result, illegal trade and over-exploitation of wild animals and plants pose a major challenge to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the region.

In a first regional workshop held in Kathmandu, the group agreed to a series of joint action as part of a South Asia Wildlife Trade Initiative (SAWTI). This includes the setting up of a South Asia Experts Group on Wildlife Trade and development of a South Asia Regional Strategic Plan on Wildlife Trade (2008-2013).

The SACEP was established in 1982 for promoting regional co-operation in South Asia in the field of environment.

The group includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The two day workshop of South Asian Cooperative Environment Program      (SACEP )was held on Jan 1 2008. Wild life officials of the member countries attended the workshop to draw out strategies to increase inter-regional cooperation to reduce the wild life trading.

Except for India and Pakistan, all the countries of the South Asian region are not heavily industrialized which is why the forests, rivers, mountains of these countries are still very rich in flora and fauna. Few days ago, I wrote about Bangladeshi dolphins that are becoming extinct. Razib Ahmed also wrote about the rising death of tigers in India. One of the major reasons behind this extinction is the thriving wildlife trading industry in these countries. Since it is not the problem of a single country, collective approach is the best answer. If the SAARC countries are sincere enough, if they can successfully work together, then I am sure this problem can be overcome.

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