CHITRAL: Regulated Trophy Hunt Generates Revenue, Supports Conservation and Community Development in Chitral
An American trophy hunter has successfully taken a Kashmir Markhor in the Shasha-Thoshi Community Managed Game Reserve in Chitral, under the oversight of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department.
Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) Chitral, Farooq Nabi, stated in a press release that the hunt was conducted within the framework of strict national and international trophy hunting regulations, specifically in the Thoshi Shasha Conservancy.
The official explained that the hunter secured a legal permit through an international bidding process, bidding $270,000 (approximately Rs756 million). This amount underscores the global importance of the Kashmir Markhor and highlights the success of Pakistan’s sustainable trophy hunting program, which has helped convert wildlife conservation into a viable livelihood for local communities.
The hunter, who chose to remain anonymous, hunted a Markhor with 52-inch horns from a distance of about 510 meters, demonstrating adherence to ethical hunting standards. Wildlife officials were present throughout the process to ensure transparency, compliance with permit conditions, and conservation protocols, Nabi added.
He further noted that 80% of the revenue from trophy hunting would be directly invested into community welfare projects such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and livelihoods related to conservation efforts. This revenue-sharing model has been instrumental in fostering community ownership, reducing illegal hunting, and safeguarding endangered species.
“The Kashmir Markhor is more than just a trophy; it’s a symbol of conservation achievement,” Nabi emphasized. He added that regulated trophy hunting plays a crucial role in ensuring the species’ survival while simultaneously enhancing socio-economic conditions for local populations.
As Pakistan’s national animal, the Kashmir Markhor is classified as near-threatened globally. Community-led conservation initiatives in Chitral have been recognized for reversing population decline and bolstering wildlife protection efforts.
