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8 - 26 November 2009
Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
Background and Rationale
Southeast Asia is a known hotspot for illegal wildlife trade where poaching, trafficking, and consumption of wildlife are rampant. The ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) reported that the scale of illegal wildlife trade in Southeast is alarming. However, due to the nature of illicit trade, it is difficult to obtain exact figures, but some experts estimate the value of the illegal wildlife trade at 10 to 20 billion U.S. dollars annually. Almost all wild species including illegally cut timber, birds, reptiles, and mammals are traded in the region. The pangolin is the most heavily traded mammal.
One of the most critical parts of managing protected areas and forests is enforcing laws. Forest crimes are rampant in the ASEAN region. Illegal logging and forestland encroachment are among the infamous forest crimes. The most significant impact of these crimes is the degradation or loss of habitats for species. Natural forests are natural repositories of biodiversity resources from genetic to species levels. Their destruction or conversion to other land uses removes the condition for which the diversity and stability of the ecosystem is maintained. For instance, in many parts of the region, the conversion of forest lands for agricultural purposes has caused some local extinction of endemic plant and animal species.
Similarly, replacing natural forests with plantation forests do not warrant the return of species and their natural habitats that are lost during the process of conversion. Without proper enforcement of laws, the region stands to lose so much of its natural resources. Thus, it is crucial for forest rangers to learn how to patrol confidently and safely in a tropical forest environment.
Park managers and staff in the ASEAN region need to continuously enhance their technical expertise to effectively manage key environmental areas. To strengthen the capacity of enforcement officers to prevent and combat illegal wildlife trade, ASEAN-WEN, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), and Freeland are conducting an “Enforcement Ranger Basic Training Course at the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand from 8 to 26 November 2009.
Course Overview
The Enforcement Ranger Basic Training Course has been designed to train armed Government Officers tasked with enforcing the laws in protected areas, or forests within Southeast Asia.
This is an intense field-training course with the average instructional day starting at 05:00 hrs and finishing at 20:00 hrs. The majority of lessons will be conducted in a field environment, regardless of season or weather and practical hands-on application and scenarios during lessons are predominant.
The course will produce a ranger trained with the minimum knowledge required to conduct all tasks of patrolling confidently and safely in a tropical forest environment.
Course subject matter
- Apply Basic First Aid
- Apply Basic Navigation
- Enforcement Ranger
- Weapon Handling
- Patrolling Operations
- Hostile Engagement
- Arrest, Secure and Search
- Conduct Vehicle Check Points
Partners
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ASEAN Biodiversity Events 