“Local Communities’ role key to Markhor Conservation” – SACM on Wildlife Pir Musavir Khan
“Local Communities’ role key to Markhor Conservation” – SACM on Wildlife Pir Musavir Khan
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Wildlife, Forests, Environment, and Climate Change, Pir Musavir Khan, has emphasized the pivotal role of local communities in the conservation of the Markhor species noting that community support is vital for wildlife conservation.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony organized by the Wildlife Department in Chitral to distribute community share cheques from the revenue generated through the Markhor and Ibex hunting program.
The event was attended by Member of the Provincial Assembly Fateh-ul-Mulk Ali Nasir, Chief Conservator of Wildlife Northern Region Safdar Ali Shah, senior officials, and local residents.
During the ceremony, SACM Pir Musavir Khan distributed cheques worth approximately Rs. 240 million among Village Conservation Committees (VCCs) established for wildlife conservation. Eighty percent of the revenue generated from the trophy hunting program is reinvested into the local community for welfare and development purposes.
Speaking on the occasion, Pir Musavir Khan reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to involving local communities in the protection of natural resources and wildlife conservation. He noted a steady increase in the Markhor population, attributing it to the active involvement of local communities.
“The trophy-hunting program creates an environmentally sustainable balance between wildlife and human populations. As a result of the program, Markhor population in the province has now exceeded 6,000,” he said.
He urged local communities to continue supporting the Wildlife Department in protecting valuable wildlife species and reiterated his commitment to ensuring all possible support for their socio-economic uplift.
