PAKISTAN - CHITRAL: Members of the community overpowered two hunters, who killed a Markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri) in Chitral where a wildlife conservation programme is underway by The World Conservation Union (IUCN). The hunted animal was dead by the time it was found out in the deep forest. The hunters were arrested once the villagers arrived to block all escape routes. The story was also reported in the national press on July 11, 2005. The two hunters were later handed over to the police and a criminal case was registered against them under the Wildlife Act, 1975. This event demonstrates the result of on-going conservation efforts and communities’ awareness about their natural assets. The Markhor is a protected animal and efforts are underway by the Mountain Areas Conservancy

Project (MACP) to conserve this species in the wild. It may be mentioned that trophy hunting of Markhor is allowed on permit as per annual quota granted by the CITES. MACP is also running a community based trophy hunting programme. Last year’s price for trophy hunting of Markhor was as high as US $45,000.

The Mountain Areas Conservancy Project (MACP) is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the goal to research and practice new paradigms to conserve the biodiversity with the help of local communities and ensure its sustainable use in Pakistan’s Karakorum, Hindu Kush, and Western Himalayas mountain ranges.

MACP Website: www.macp-pk.org
IUCN Pakistan: www.iucnp.org