Trophy hunting season likely to be postponed this year

Decision to be taken after a survey in all provinces

LAHORE:

The Ministry of Climate Change is likely to postpone this year's trophy hunting programme, which could cause a loss of millions of dollars in foreign exchange.

A survey is expected to be conducted, following which the quota for trophy hunting will be released to the provinces, depending on its results.

The auction for the permits was expected to begin in the coming weeks, however, if the event faces a delay, the permits will not be auctioned.

According to the Punjab Wildlife Act, while there is no fixed period for the trophy hunting season, hunters head to Pakistan from December to February.

Read More: The story behind why Gilgit-Baltistan allows trophy hunting

Punjab Wildlife Deputy Director Mudassar Hassan said last year that the trophy hunting quota of 16 urials was given by the federal minister of climate change, out of which 14 permits were issued. The permit for hunting of a urial was auctioned for $18,100 and the reserve price will remain the same this year as well.

Per wildlife officials, it has also been decided to add the black buck, chinkara and wild boar to this year's trophy hunting quota.. An application in this regard has been sent to the ministry. Thus far, only the Punjab urial has been added to the trophy hunting process.

A major part of the proceeds will be spent on the welfare of the local community.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, a member of the Punjab Wildlife Board and Forestry said community-based organizations (CBO) are playing an important role in the conservation of wildlife, and endangered wild species all over the world.

He further said that currently there are over 65 CBOs in Gilgit-Baltistan and a good number in Balochistan as well. However, instead of creating more CBOs in Punjab, those that are already functional are closing down.

The official also added that the federal government should conduct trophy hunting as soon as possible and increase the quota as well. This, he suggested, would bring in foreign exchange to the country and wildlife conservation would improve.