Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The governments of Nepal and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on biodiversity conservation.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Nepal’s Minister for Forest and Environment Madhav Prasad Chaulagain and Indian Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav.

Nepali Ambassador to India Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma and Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Tanmaya Kumar signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments.

Spokesperson at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Dr Maheshwor Dhakal told RSS that high-ranking officials of Nepal and India were present on the occasion.

Nepal and India are signatories to the United Nations (UN) international conventions on biodiversity and other environmental protections. There are protected areas and bio-corridors along the border between the two countries and many wildlife, including elephants, rhinos and tigers, cross the border freely and freely.

Therefore, both countries are expected to play a role in coordinating and cooperating with each other in the areas of protected areas, biodiversity and wildlife crime control, adopt a common strategy on biodiversity and enhance capacity of the employees working in the field, according to the statement.

The MoU would also help control and regulate poaching and smuggling of wildlife taking place across the border, carry out study and research on wildlife and develop public awareness and capacity building at local level, said Chaulagain.

The implementation of the MoU is expected to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity of both the countries by organizing regular patrolling and holding meetings and regular patrolling in the areas adjoining the border, sharing experiences and knowledge, developing and expanding good practices and exchanging information on wildlife and illegal trade.

The MoU also stipulates that both countries may exchange information related to wildlife crime to the South Asia Wildlife Law Enforcement Network (SAWEN) for the control and control of wildlife crimes.

The Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Protected Areas and Divisional Forest Office will coordinate and cooperate in implementing the agreement at local level.

As per the agreement, the agreement will be automatically renewed in every five years unless informed in writing by any country through diplomatic channel and it will be reviewed every three years. It is stated in the MoU that if any problem arises during the implementation of the MoU, it will be resolved through mutual understanding.