𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙁𝙚𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙐𝙎$1.2118 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣 — 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙍𝙨. 335.725 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙚
Latif Ur Rehman
Peshawar: Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife, Pir Musavir Khan Ghazi, has said that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is taking effective and result-oriented measures to conserve wildlife, promote the sustainable use of natural resources, and make local communities meaningful partners in the protection of nature.
He said that the auction of four international Markhor trophy hunting permits, administered by the Wildlife Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, generated a record US$1,211,800, equivalent to approximately Rs. 335.725 million. This represents the highest-ever revenue generated through a trophy hunting programme in Pakistan’s history.
Pir Musavir Khan said that 80 percent of the revenue generated through trophy hunting will be directly allocated to the welfare and development of the concerned local communities, while the remaining 20 percent will be deposited into the government treasury.
He said the arrangement provides a practical example of how conservation can become a catalyst for local development. When communities are given a direct share in the benefits generated through wildlife conservation, they become not merely custodians of natural resources but active stakeholders in protecting them—and increasingly connect conservation with their own economic and social progress.
The Advisor said that communities living in the mountains, valleys and remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have maintained a close relationship with nature for generations. The government’s policy of linking wildlife conservation with livelihoods, development and community prosperity is transforming this longstanding relationship into a stronger and more sustainable partnership.
He observed that when local communities receive tangible economic benefits from wildlife conservation, their sense of responsibility towards protecting rare species and natural resources is further strengthened. The community-based conservation model is therefore emerging as an effective bridge between environmental stewardship and economic prosperity—where protected wildlife not only safeguards the province’s natural heritage but also creates new opportunities for the development of local communities.
Pir Musavir Khan said that the Markhor is a distinctive symbol of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s natural heritage and biodiversity, and the government is continuing integrated conservation measures in partnership with local communities.
He clarified that under the trophy hunting programme, hunting permits are issued in strictly limited numbers and in accordance with prescribed scientific and conservation principles, exclusively for mature and old male Markhor, thereby helping maintain ecological balance, protect breeding populations and ensure the long-term sustainability of the species.
He said the success of the programme demonstrates that when conservation is supported by transparency, scientific management and meaningful community participation, wildlife can serve not only as a priceless national heritage but also as a sustainable source of economic opportunity.
The Advisor appreciated the efforts of Chief Conservator Wildlife Dr. Mohsin Farooq, officers and officials of the Wildlife Department, field staff and local communities, saying their collective efforts have further strengthened Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s community-based wildlife conservation model.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi, the provincial government, in line with the Green Vision of Founding Chairman Imran Khan, will continue to effectively implement policies aimed at protecting forests, wildlife and the environment, ensuring transparent governance, promoting sustainable use of natural resources and improving the welfare of local communities.
Historic Auction of Four Markhor Trophy Hunting Permits.
It may be recalled that on Thursday, the Wildlife Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa successfully conducted a historic auction of four international Markhor trophy hunting permits for various Village Conservation Committees in Chitral and Kohistan.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀:
𝙏𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙞-𝙄, 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡: 𝙐𝙎$320,600
𝙏𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙞-𝙄𝙄, 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡: 𝙐𝙎$335,600
𝙂𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩 𝙂𝙤𝙡, 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡: 𝙐𝙎$260,000
𝙆𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙝 𝙆𝙝𝙬𝙖𝙧, 𝙆𝙤𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣: 𝙐𝙎$295,600
The four permits collectively generated US$1,211,800, equivalent to approximately Rs. 335.725 million, marking a historic record for the trophy hunting programme in Pakistan.
According to the Wildlife Department, only a limited number of permits are issued under the trophy hunting programme for the hunting of mature and old male Markhor. The fundamental objectives of the programme are to support wildlife conservation, ensure sustainable management of natural populations, and enable local communities to benefit economically from conservation.
This is more than an auction; it is a success story of a conservation philosophy: when forests are protected, wildlife thrives; when wildlife thrives, communities prosper; and when communities prosper through conservation, the future of nature becomes more secure.
