A trophy hunting permit for Pakistan’s national animal, the Markhor, has been auctioned for a record-breaking Rs100 million (approximately $370,000) in Gilgit-Baltistan, the highest amount ever under the region’s annual Trophy Hunting Program. The permit, issued for the Nanga Parbat Conservancy Area, was acquired by the owner of “Shikar Safaris,” setting a historic milestone for the program. The auction, held at the Forest, Parks, and Wildlife Complex in Gilgit, attracted participation from local and international hunters, government officials, and wildlife conservation experts. For the 2025–26 hunting season, authorities announced permits for 118 animals, including four Astor Markhors, 100 Himalayan Ibex, and 14 Blue Sheep, reflecting the region’s strict regulation of trophy hunting to balance ecological protection with sustainable economic opportunities.Officials confirmed that 80 percent of the revenue from the program is allocated directly to local communities, with funds earmarked for wildlife conservation, community development, and sustainable tourism initiatives. Conservationists stressed that the record-breaking bid highlights not only the program’s economic significance but also growing global recognition of Gilgit-Baltistan’s unique biodiversity and conservation success. The program, first introduced in the 1980s, has been credited with helping to revive endangered species populations by incentivizing local communities to protect wildlife. Experts added that while trophy hunting remains a controversial practice globally, in Gilgit-Baltistan it has become a model of community-led conservation, where financial benefits encourage local stakeholders to preserve fragile mountain ecosystems.
Markhor Trophy Permit Fetches Record Rs100 Million in GB
