The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department has successfully auctioned an exportable trophy hunting permit for a markhor in Upper Kohistan for more than $200,000. This makes it one of the highest bids ever recorded under the province’s conservation-based hunting program.
According to the department, 80 percent of the total revenue from the auction will go to the Kaigah Conservation Community, which manages wildlife protection efforts in the region. The initiative aims to encourage local participation in conservation while providing sustainable financial benefits to the community.
Divisional Wildlife Officer Noor Mohammad confirmed that Upper Kohistan is home to both Kashmiri and Astor species of markhor. He said, “We recently handed over a cheque worth over Rs. 46 million to the local community for three hunts completed during the last season.”
He added that two of those hunts were exportable, allowing foreign hunters to take their trophies — including horns — back to their home countries. The Kaigah Conservation Area, located about 20 kilometers from Dasu, currently shelters more than 600 markhors.
The department also sold a non-exportable permit for the upcoming season for $75,000. Noor Mohammad noted that the markhor population in Upper Kohistan has now crossed 1,200, a sign of strong conservation outcomes supported by community involvement.
Trophy hunting in Upper Kohistan began in 2005, with 80 percent of proceeds consistently directed to local communities. This approach has been credited for boosting wildlife populations and promoting responsible tourism.
Former Wildlife Officer Kath Baz Khan, who supervised last season’s hunts, highlighted that the Kaigah markhors are famous for their large horns. He said a record 53-inch horn was once found in Kohistan, while a foreign hunter recently claimed a 44-inch trophy in March 2025.
The growing markhor population in Upper Kohistan reflects the success of Pakistan’s community-led conservation model, which links wildlife protection with sustainable economic growth.
In other news read more about: Markhor Hunting Permit Sold for Record $186,000
