Wildlife trafficking puts national security at risk

Speakers at a seminar yesterday opined that illegal wildlife trade poses a serious threat to national security and regional stability.

"Illegal wildlife trade needs to be recognised as a serious crime in our legislation," said Iqbal Abdullah Harun, additional secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims to help countries ensure that trade does not put wild populations at risk and remains sustainable, he said.

Also known as the Washington Convention, CITES is a multilateral treaty designed to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade.

Iqbal said this while addressing the fifth national seminar titled "Strengthening Compliance with CITES in Bangladesh" as the chief guest, held at a city hotel.

The environment ministry and the forest department jointly organised the seminar in association with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Senior representatives from different ministries, departments, and law enforcement agencies participated at the event.

The seminar was arranged to enhance understanding of CITES, recognise progress made regarding the issue, and decide on the steps needed to improve compliance with CITES obligations.

As a party to CITES since 1981, Bangladesh has made commendable progress in addressing its requirements, particularly by aligning national protection for threatened sharks and rays, and training law enforcers in identifying protected species or their parts valued in international markets.

Imran Ahmed, conservator at Forests, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, Department of Forest, said, "We must pursue CITES compliance to safeguard our biodiversity and ecosystems as those are essential for our food security, livelihoods, and economic growth."

SM Zobaidul Kabir, joint secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said, "Ensuring sustainability of the country's vital fisheries is among our key mandates. We are committed to working with other departments to improve CITES compliance in fisheries and fish trade."

Luke Warwick, director of WCS Global Shark and Ray Conservation Programme, said, "Bangladesh has made impressive progress towards implementing CITES shark and ray listings through an amendment to the Wildlife Act, interagency technical training, and improved public awareness."

He added that WCS is committed to continuing to support Bangladesh in implementing CITES commitments in this regard.

"We have agreed to institutionalise capacity building and initiate collaborations to develop a national strategy for improving CITES compliance and combating illegal wildlife trade," said Amir Hosain Chowdhury, chief conservator at the forest department.