New York, July 25 2024 (TDI): Pakistan has emphasized the importance of strengthening community governance structures for sustainable natural resource use. This is crucial for building renewed capacity for wildlife management.
Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted Pakistan’s successful conservation policies. He spoke at the high-level side event on “Conserving the Markhor” convened by the Permanent Mission of Tajikistan in collaboration with UNEP and IUCN.
Pakistan’s Trophy Hunting Policy
Pakistan formulated a trophy hunting policy that allows a quota of 12 Markhors to be hunted per season. This policy is recognized under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Community Engagement and Benefits
Local communities are trained to monitor and manage Markhor populations and trophy hunts independently. They retain 80% of the trophy permit fees. This creates strong incentives for conservation.
So far, the policy has led to significant livelihood improvements and community development projects. Proceeds are spent on enhancing Markhor breeding spaces and habitats.
Markhor Significance
The Markhor plays a vital ecological role. It offers opportunities for conservation, tourism, and economic growth.
Ambassador Akram said that for Pakistan, the Markhor holds special significance as the national animal, inhabiting the mountainous regions of Chitral, Kohistan, and Kalam, as well as northern Gilgit-Baltistan, southwestern Balochistan, and parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan’s conservation programs have increased the Markhor population. It has grown to 3,500-5,000 over the past decade.
“Globally, the Markhor population is declining, with fewer than 6,000 mature individuals remaining. However, in Pakistan, proactive conservation programs and community engagement have led to an increase in the Markhor population over the past ten years,” he stated.
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International Collaboration
Ambassador Akram offered to share Pakistan’s Markhor conservation knowledge with other countries. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of GA resolution 78/278. This resolution promotes collaborative efforts for Markhor preservation on International Day of the Markhor.
International Relations Graduate (Gold Medal), Author at The Pakistan Today and The Geopolitical Monitor, Former Research Intern at the Center for International Strategic Studies, Sindh (CISSS)
