Trophy hunting quota for new season announced

KARACHI: The Federal Ministry for Climate Change issued on Thursday quota for trophy hunting of different species across the country including Sindh. Five wild sheep and 15 markhor will be allowed for hunting under the new quota in this season.

According to the rules, old animals including males can be hunted. Aryal, ibex, Markhor and blue sheep are the four species allowed by the ministry.

Pakistan’s total quota for markhor hunting is 12; Balochistan aryal 19, Blenfords aryal 9; Punjab aryal 16; Sindh aryal 5, Himalayan ibex 65, Sindh ibex 31, and blue sheep quota is 8.

Price of markhor is $40,000, blendfords aryal $10,000, Punjab aryal $12,500, Sindh aryal $10,000, and blue sheep $6,250.

Hunting season: American hunter claims Markhor trophy in G-B

Eighty per cent of the income from trophy hunting is spent on the welfare of local population, including education, health, construction of roads and provision of cattle. Rest of the income is spent on the officers who regulate the hunting activities.

The wildlife department earns $130,000 annually from hunting.

The Sindh government has sent a summary about the hunting quota to the administration and after its approval, advertisements will be placed in newspapers for auction.

There are 15 outfits companies which offer hunting facilities in the country including Shikar Safari, Zone Safari, Hunting Safari, Indus Safari and Karakoram Track.