PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in a significant achievement has sold four Markhor trophy hunting permits for Rs 250 million.
According to the Wildlife Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the biggest bid of Rs 150 million was offered for Toshi-1 and Toshi-2 Markhor trophy hunting.
Similarly, one Markhor hunt in Kohistan region would fetch Rs 53.7 million while one Markhor hunt from Ghirat, Chitral would fetch Rs 52.8 million.
The department said that 80 percent of the revenue from the trophy hunting program would be distributed among the residents of the respective areas, while funds were also utilized for the welfare and development of the local community as well as the conservation of wildlife in the area.
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Earlier, In a positive development reported by the wildlife department, the number of wild Markhors has increased significantly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to recent findings, the Markhor population has surged fivefold over the last 37 years.
In 1985, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was home to only 961 Markhors. Fast forward to the present, the latest report indicates a remarkable increase, with the current Markhor population standing at 5,621 in the province.
This substantial growth is not limited to specific areas, as the number of Markhors is rapidly rising in Swat and Kohistan as well.
