Urial trophy hunting resumes after two-year hiatus

LAHORE:

Trophy hunting of the Punjab Urial, a national animal of Punjab, has resumed after a two-year pause. The first hunt was carried out by an American hunter in the Chakwal region, marking the reopening of this conservation-driven programme.

The Ministry of Climate Change, in coordination with Punjab Wildlife, issued 16 permits for trophy hunting.

These permits, auctioned for a total of $328,000 (approximately Rs91.5 million), were sold at $20,500 each, with an additional fee of $500 per permit.

Wildlife officials revealed that many of these permits were purchased by outfitters, who subsequently sold them to hunters.

The Punjab Wildlife Department facilitated the hunt, ensuring foreign hunters successfully targeted trophy-sized animals. The horns of the first hunted urial measured an impressive 30 inches, highlighting the animal's health and size. Hunters are allowed a one-week window to complete their hunts.

The delay in trophy hunting over the past two years was due to the registration of Community-Based Conservancies (CBCs). However, with the concerted efforts of Director General Punjab Wildlife, Mudassir Riaz Malik, the registration process was completed, allowing the program to resume.

As a significant achievement for wildlife conservation in Punjab.

A Punjab Wildlife spokesperson emphasised that 80% of the revenue generated from trophy hunting will be allocated to local CBCs. These funds will be used for wildlife protection, conservation, and population growth initiatives in their respective areas.

The program is modelled on the successful approach implemented in Gilgit-Baltistan, where trophy hunting generates substantial revenue annually. This income supports community welfare and sustainable wildlife management, serving as an example of effective conservation practices.