Conservation group applauds South Asian countries' 'wildlife anti-trafficking' decision

New Delhi, Feb 1 (ANI): A conservation group has appreciated eight South Asian countries' "milestone" decision to share information on wildlife trafficking.

The BBC quoted a spokeswoman for the Traffic anti-smuggling body as saying that the move was "an essential effort to conserve a region of outstanding biological richness".

The agreement to form the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (Sawen) was made in Bhutan at the weekend to safeguard animals like tigers, elephants and rhinos that are under threat from being trafficked.

"Sawen will help Bhutan to link up with authorities and officials across the region to share good practices and resources to co-operate and co-ordinate actions to apprehend poachers and traffickers," Pema Jamtsho, Bhutan's Minister for Agriculture and Forests said in the statement.

Backers say that India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bangladesh will for the first time share information on poaching and wildlife trafficking. (ANI)