Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has generated a record $1.21 million, equivalent to approximately Rs335.7 million, through the auction of four international Markhor trophy hunting permits. The revenue is the highest ever recorded by a trophy hunting programme in Pakistan, according to a statement issued by the provincial Wildlife Department on Friday. The auction covered conservation areas in Chitral and Kohistan, with a significant share of the proceeds earmarked for local communities.
Among the four permits, Toshi-II in Chitral received the highest bid of $335,600, followed by Toshi-I, also in Chitral, at $320,600. The permit for Kigah Khwar in Kohistan fetched $295,600, while Gahirat Gol in Chitral secured a bid of $260,000. Wildlife officials described the results as a major milestone for conservation efforts, highlighting the programme's role in protecting wildlife, discouraging illegal hunting and supporting communities living near natural habitats.
Latifur Rehman, spokesperson for the KP Wildlife Department, said the programme allows only a limited number of permits for mature and old male Markhor. The controlled approach is intended to promote sustainable wildlife management while protecting the long-term survival of the species. Under the revenue-sharing arrangement, 80 per cent of the proceeds will be allocated to the relevant local communities for welfare and development projects, while the remaining 20 per cent will be deposited into the government treasury.
The funds are expected to support local development and encourage residents to protect wildlife and its natural habitat. By giving communities a direct financial stake in conservation, the programme aims to strengthen efforts against poaching and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. The Markhor, Pakistan's national animal, is an important part of the country's biodiversity and natural heritage, particularly in the mountainous regions of Chitral and Kohistan.
Despite the economic and conservation benefits cited by supporters, trophy hunting remains controversial internationally, with critics questioning the ethics of killing wild animals for sport. Advocates of regulated programmes argue that carefully managed hunting can generate funding for conservation and provide local communities with incentives to protect wildlife populations. The KP government maintains that its approach combines environmental protection with community development, and the record auction revenue is expected to reinforce the role of community-based conservation in safeguarding the province's wildlife.
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