Gilgit, Sept 3, 2025: The Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Wildlife and Parks Department auctioned 118 hunting permits on Wednesday for the 2025–26 season.
The permits included four Astore markhors, 100 Himalayan ibex, and 14 blue sheep. The top highlight was the sale of Astore markhor permits.
Raja Farhad Maqpoon, owner of Shikar Safari, won the highest permit for $370,000 in the Nanga Parbat conservancy area. Other winning bids were $286,000, $270,000, and $240,000. The base price for an Astore markhor permit had been set at $200,000.
Bids for blue sheep and Himalayan ibex permits were also strong. Muhammad Ali Nagri of Markhor Safaris won a blue sheep permit for $40,000 and a Himalayan ibex permit for $13,000, above their base prices of $30,000 and $10,000 respectively.GB’s trophy hunting programme involves local communities.
Communities receive about 80% of the revenue to fund conservation and development projects. Officials say the programme protects endangered species. However, experts warn that rising permit prices could threaten its long-term sustainability.
The auction took place at the Forest, Parks, and Wildlife Complex in Gilgit. It drew a large number of outfitters and hunters eager to secure permits.
GB Conservator for Parks and Wildlife, Khadim Abbas, stressed that controlled hunting supports both wildlife conservation and community development.
Story originally published in dawn.com
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