Declaration of commitment of the Indigenous Karen People to preserve the wildlife in the Salween River Basin (Way Boo Hta Declaration)

To increase collaboration on wildlife protection and wildlife law enforcement; promote Karen Indigenous knowledge and practices in the management of wildlife and natural resource management; and to comply with KFD wildlife regulations, the local communities of the Salween River Basin, along with representatives of Mutraw District Administration, the Karen National Liberation Army’s (KNLA) Brigade #5, the Salween Peace Park Governing Committee and its working groups, the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN), Kheshorter Community Forest, local boat drivers, and hunters convened a second gathering on April 17 – 18, 2025 at Way Boo Hta Village, Htee Ler Poo Village Tract, Butho Township, Mutraw District/Brigade #5 under the theme: Promotion of Karen Traditional Knowledge, practices of wildlife conservation and management in the role of community rangers. The meeting resulted with the declaration of commitment of the Indigenous Karen People to preserve the wildlife in the Salween River Basin also known as Way Boo Hta Declaration. Please see the declaration for details.