Frontline enforcement needs to monitor the wildlife trade in Nepal

The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) originates in wildlife habitats and often follows a lengthy trade route. To control it effectively, the role of the frontline enforcement agencies working along the way is crucial. To understand the needs of enforcement staff working at checkpoints in Nepal’s two key trade routes from Kathmandu to the Tibetan region of China, we interviewed 73 of them at their duty stations. In this policy brief, we highlight the critical role of frontline enforcement agencies in IWT control, focusing on their current practices in detecting IWT and identifying seized species/parts. It summarises key steps on the ways to strengthen Nepal’s frontline enforcement capacity and enhance its effectiveness.