Trophy hunting scheme: Communities get Rs22.8 million

PESHAWAR, Feb 28: The wildlife department on Thursday distributed cheques for Rs22.8 million among 24 village conservation committees of Chiltral and Kohistan as shares from the trophy hunting of Markhor and Ibex. The ceremony was held at the auditorium hall of the wildlife department where Provincial Minister for Environment Wajid Ali Shah was the chief guest. Secretary Environment Adil Khan and other officials of the department were also present on the occasion. Briefing the participants of the ceremony, Chief Conservator Wildlife Department Syed Mubarik Ali Shah said the trophy hunting scheme was introduced in 1998 with the objective of conserving Markhor and Ibex which were endangered species. At the time when the scheme was launched, the total number of Markhor in KP was 700 which has now swelled to a satisfactory level of 2,200. Similarly, in Kaigah (Kohistan), the number of Markhor was 70 which has now reached to around 200, he added. The Kaigah conservancy will receive a share of Rs4.1 million which is around Rs300,000 per month and Rs10,000 per day. Mubarik Shah said Trophy Hunting was a very successful scheme and it should be replicated in conservation of other endangered species. Under the scheme, permits are auctioned among foreigners for hunting of 10 Markhor and 80 per cent of the earning made through the auction is distributed among concerned communities protecting the wild specie in their respective area. He also disclosed that the wildlife department had so far conducted 24 hunts and earned Rs160 million out of which Rs130 million had been distributed among communities.–APP]]>