GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Department of Forests, Parks and Wildlife has auctioned 117 trophy hunting permits for the 2026-27 hunting season, with authorities expecting significant revenue from the programme.
The auction was held at the Forest, Parks and Wildlife Complex in Gilgit and attracted a large number of hunters. Permits were offered for Astore markhor, blue sheep and Himalayan ibex.
According to officials, the auction included permits for three Astore markhor, 14 blue sheep and 100 Himalayan ibex.
The highest bids were recorded for Astore markhor permits. The first permit fetched US$356,000, while the second and third were auctioned for US$301,000 and US$294,000, respectively.
The Wildlife Department said an additional Astore markhor permit had also been carried forward from the previous hunting season.
Chief Conservator Parks and Wildlife Zakir Hussain said the highest bid for an exportable blue sheep permit reached US$31,200, while the lowest bid was US$25,100.
For Himalayan ibex, the highest bid in the prime category reached US$13,200, while the lowest bid stood at US$11,500.
Authorities expect the current trophy hunting programme to generate approximately Rs650 million in revenue during the season.
The 2026-27 trophy hunting season in Gilgit-Baltistan is scheduled to run from October 15, 2026, to April 10, 2027.
Trophy hunting and conservation
Trophy hunting remains a subject of debate in wildlife conservation. Supporters of regulated hunting programmes argue that revenues from permits can provide funding for conservation, habitat protection and local communities, while controlled quotas can be used to manage wildlife populations.
However, conservation outcomes depend heavily on effective monitoring, scientifically determined quotas, transparent revenue-sharing mechanisms and strong enforcement against illegal hunting.
For species such as the markhor, blue sheep and Himalayan ibex, maintaining healthy populations and protecting their mountain habitats remain central to long-term conservation efforts.
The Gilgit-Baltistan programme therefore places renewed attention on the balance between wildlife conservation, community benefits and sustainable management of high-value mountain species.
