Markhor Hunting Permit Auctioned for Rs. 5.6 Crore

In a major milestone for wildlife conservation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department has successfully auctioned an exportable trophy hunting permit for a markhor in Upper Kohistan for over $200,000. This marks one of the highest bids in the province’s ongoing conservation efforts.

The auctioned permit allows foreign hunters to take a markhor trophy, including the prized horns, back to their home countries. The revenue generated from the sale will play a vital role in the Kaigah Conservation Community, which is tasked with wildlife protection efforts in the region. According to officials, 80 percent of the revenue will be allocated to the local community for conservation and other wildlife-related initiatives.

Divisional Wildlife Officer Noor Mohammad revealed that Upper Kohistan is home to both Kashmiri and Astor species of markhor. He shared, “We recently handed over a cheque worth over Rs. 46 million to the local community for three hunts carried out during the last season.”

The markhor population in Upper Kohistan has been steadily growing, with estimates suggesting there are now over 1,200 markhors thriving in the region’s rugged mountainous terrain. The Kaigah Conservation Area, situated approximately 20 kilometers from Dasu, is home to more than 600 of these magnificent creatures.

The department also sold a non-exportable trophy hunting permit for the upcoming season, from December 2024 to March 2025, for $75,000. The trophy hunting program, which began in 2005, has consistently directed 80 percent of the proceeds back to the local communities involved in the conservation efforts.

Former Wildlife Officer Kath Baz Khan, who supervised last season’s hunts, highlighted the impressive size of Kaigah markhors, noting the record-breaking 53-inch horn from Kohistan and a 44-inch trophy hunted by a foreigner in March 2025.

The success of the auction not only contributes to the region’s economy but also plays a critical role in sustaining wildlife protection efforts in Upper Kohistan.