Nepal's Wildlife Crime Investigators Facing Hurdles that Need Addressing

A poached rhino in Chitwan National Park

Nepal is renowned for its biodiversity, due to its variety of different habitats from snow-covered mountains to lush evergreen forests and grasslands. These habitats support a rich variety of wildlife. However, the diversity has attracted the threat of poaching and wildlife smuggling. Despite the efforts to curb poaching and ensure protection of the country's endangered species, several frontline wildlife crime investigators face challenges such as lack of proper training in forensic investigations and legal agendas. According to Hemanta Malla Thakuri, a former deputy inspector general for the Nepal Police who began training the investigators last year, the way they operated was similar to the police almost forty years ago. These investigators are local officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), who are based at various protected areas across Nepal and are entitled to investigate wildlife crimes (and in some cases give verdicts) inside the areas and neighboring buffer zones. Then there are investigators from provincial divisional forest offices, who investigate crimes that occur outside the protected areas and buffer zones.

Confiscated wool of the Tibetan antelope

Many of these investigators are generally forestry graduates lacking training in legal issues. One of those investigators is Salina Kadal, an assistant forest officer at the Bhaktapur division, who pointed out that she and other students were only taught the theoretical aspects of conservation law and once they joined the government service, they were directly authorized to work as investigation officers. She further added that there are times when the officers would destroy the evidence at the crime scene since they do not know how to keep it safe. Karuna Karki, who is stationed at the Nawalpur division, indicated that another challenge for the officers is that investigations come along with administrative work that they have to do. She also added that local officials and politicians try to influence the result of investigations.

View of Kathmandu Valley in Bhaktapur district

Before the proclamation of Nepal's current constitution, in 2015, forest offices and offices in protected areas were entitled to investigate as well as give verdicts in all wildlife crime cases. Now, they can only pass verdicts in cases that only carry a sentence of less than one year while more serious cases should be tried in district courts. Kadal, who has worked on cases both before and after the 2015 change, indicated that guaranteeing a conviction is far more difficult in court than in the forest office. In addition, it is easier to produce missing evidence as expected by the semijudicial forestry officer since the hearing takes place in the same office. However, the judge is not that flexible. Kadal further added that the government of Nepal does not manage an updated database of wildlife crimes and convicts. Not only does this make it more hard for investigative officers across the country to work together on related cases, but also repeat offenders who should face stiffer sentences for their crimes get off with more lenient punishment required for first-time offenders. Despite these drawbacks, the investigative officers are undeterred and are doing their best to ensure convictions. Several governmental and nongovernmental organizations are also working to address the challenges faced by Nepal's wildlife crime investigators. The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) recently carried out a progressive wildlife crime scene procedure for 24 frontline investigators, with funding from the U.S State Department.

Chitwan National Park

I strongly feel that the challenges wildlife crime investigators in Nepal are facing should be given full attention to. Despite their dedication to protect Nepal's wildlife from various crimes, they are presented with hurdles which need serious addressing. For example, many of them are only taught theoretical aspects of conservation law and never received proper training before joining the government service. This includes how to properly safeguard crime scene evidence, instead of destroying it. Otherwise, how would it help in prosecuting the perpetrators for the crimes they committed? Furthermore, when politicians influence the outcome of investigations, it can have frustrating consequences like repeat offenders being granted leniency. This allows them to further commit crimes in Nepal's wild places. In addition, the government does not maintain an updated database of such crimes and convicts. It is highly essential to address these issues and take steps in improvising Nepal's fight against wildlife crimes.

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