World Record Deer Hunt in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan — In world history, the Markhor, the national animal of Pakistan, has been in the limelight again. The horn length of a Markhor that was legally hunted by a trophy hunter was a world record. The hunt was made in the mountainous Giltig-Baltistan area, which is home to international trophy hunters and eco-tourism enthusiasts.
Wildlife officials said that the measurement of the horn of the hunted Markhor was bigger than any ever recorded in the history of trophy hunting.
Pakistan Trophy Hunting Program.
Introduced in the 1980s, the Community-Based Trophy Hunting Program (CBTHP) of Pakistan governs hunting of endangered and rare species such as the Markhor, Ibex and blue sheep. In a given year, few permits are auctioned on an international basis.
The government provides 80 percent of the revenue to the local communities and the remaining 20 percent to support wildlife conservation and administration.
Such a unique strategy has contributed to changing local perceptions toward wildlife. The protection of the Markhor has also given a livelihood to the villagers who previously hunted the animal illegally.
Local Communities Economic Impact.
The most recent trophy hunt raised an unprecedented permit fee, reflecting the international interest in hunting rights in Pakistani north. The success was celebrated in local communities in Gilgit-Baltistan since the funds will be directly invested in development projects including:
- Construction of schools in the rural areas.
- Bettering healthcare facilities.
- Improving the simple infrastructure.
- Livelihood development among the locals.
- This system has made conservation an economic lifeline to many mountain communities.
Conservation Success Story
Markhor, which was once an endangered species, experienced population decline through poaching and habitat loss. Trophy hunting revenues have however radically altered its fate through conservation efforts.
In 2015, the Markhor was raised to near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Population has been on a steady rise, especially in shielded valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to wildlife experts, the success of the program demonstrates that sustainable, controlled hunting can be used as a means of wildlife conservation.
Debate Over Trophy Hunting
The trophy hunting program remains a controversial topic around the world even though it seems to be successful.
Advocates believe that game hunting finances conservation and discourages illicit poaching.
Opponents argue that regardless of the regulation, killing endangered animals jeopardizes conservation ethics and advances the commodification of wildlife.
Animal rights groups have often demanded alternative forms of eco-tourism such as wildlife photography safaris that may provide revenue without causing injury to the animals.
The Markhor: Quintessence of Pakistan.
Not only is Markhor the national animal of Pakistan, due to its spiral corkscrew horns and stature, it is also an icon of strength. Locally it is venerated as the protector of mountains and a being of hallowed power.
This world record also solidifies the Markhor as both a wildlife conservation success story and a global hunting icon.
Conclusion
The Markhor trophy hunt in Gilgit-Baltistan is record breaking and highlights the multifaceted linkage between conservation, economy, and ethics. Although the program has helped revive local wildlife populations and bring prosperity to isolated communities, the issue of trophy hunting remains highly contested all over the world.
To Pakistan, though, the Markhor is both a living example of how effective community-based conservation can be — a spiral-horned behemoth that soars high in both legacy and history.
