A South Asian Regional Governance of Environmental Crime

Environmental crimes have in the last few decades received global attention due to their detrimental impact on the environment. In South Asian nations, environmental crime is one of the most emergent, high-profile and economically significant fields of criminal activity. Asia, being a treasure of natural resources and home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, is under pressure to combat such crimes. However, despite the potentially grave consequences of environmental crime, specifically in the areas of illegal trade of hazardous waste and endangered species, these crimes frequently fail to elicit the necessary response and initiatives from the governments and communities. It is high time for the Asian population to wake up and show the political will to confront the offenders plundering our planet for their own benefit. The chapter aims to advance discussion on this issue by examining emerging forms of crime that have a serious impact and identifying key issues and challenges from the victim’s perspective that require further research and action.