Trophy hunting proceeds distributed in KP

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Trophy hunting Program started in 1998 in Pakistan
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Wildlife Department distributed cheques worth Rs 91.269 million among local communities of Chitral and Kohistan districts.
The amount has been accrued from the auctions of the trophy hunting permits.
A statement issued here said minister for forestry, environment and wildlife Ishtiaq Urmur was the chief guest at the cheques distribution ceremony.
The Special Secretary Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department Mr. Matiullah Khan, and Dr.Mohsin Farooque, Chief Conservator Wildlife also participated in the event.
Cheques worth Rs. 91.269 million were distributed among representatives of 26 communities of Chitral and Kohistan as their share from Markhor Trophy Hunt for the year 2019-20 and 2020-21.
The Chief Conservator Wildlife welcomed the participants and gave a brief presentation about wildlife conservation initiatives in the province.
He apprised the participants about the Trophy Hunting Program which started in 1998.
Total 78 Trophy Hunts of Markhor have been conducted successfully by the outfitters.
During 2019-20 one Markhor permit was sold on 150,000 US dollar in the interest of the local communities which was the highest record rate in the world.
Out of the total bid amount of trophy hunts 80% share goes to the communities where the hunt has been conducted while 20% is retained as government share.
The local communities spend the amount through the set procedure for their socio-economic development of the area.
They also raised the point that projects like Billion The tree Tsunami Project have no involvement of communities that is not fair.
Communities must be involved in umbrella projects like trophy hunting programs.
A community representative from Chitral Sikandar-ul- Mulk pointed out to the chief guest that natural resources e.g. Forests can’t be protected till the provision of alternate energy resources like electrical stoves, hydel powers schemes, and gas stoves at nominal rates to the local communities.