Wildlife crime continues to be a persistent and significant threat to conservation, driven by its clandestine nature, high profitability, and transboundary networks. Aligned with the National Zero Poaching Strategy 2025–2029, the Department of Forests and Park Services, under strong leadership, is enhancing institutional capacity, enforcement mechanisms, investigative tools, and prosecutorial functions to address this challenge.
Launched in 2022, the Countering Wildlife Trade Project now enters its second phase (2025–2026), focusing on strengthening enforcement and investigations, increasing interdiction of illegal trade, building prosecutorial capacity, and fostering cross-border collaboration.
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A major milestone in this effort is the Wildlife Species Identification App Development Workshop, held from February 3–6, 2026. The app is designed to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying species at points of interception and to empower citizens to report wildlife offences, roadkill, injuries, and human-wildlife conflict incidents. Equipped with alerts, a dynamic database, and AI-enabled tools, the platform will enhance enforcement, conservation efforts, and public engagement.
We extend our gratitude to GovTech, National Biodiversity Centre, all functional and field offices, as well as the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Department of State, and WWF Bhutan for their invaluable support. Through innovation, citizen participation, and strong institutional collaboration, Bhutan can safeguard its natural heritage for generations to come.
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