Markhor, the national animal of Pakistan, is currently under threat as its population is gradually declining in other parts of the world. However, the country has offered its assistance in international conservation efforts.
Markhor, locally known as “snake-eater”, is an exotic species of Capra, primarily found in the mountainous areas of Asia, particularly the Karakoram and the Himalayas. In Pakistan, Markhor can be found in Chitral, Kohistan and Kalam regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, besides various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Due to the unique shape of its horns, the species finds itself at the center of various myths. The same horns, which resemble snakes, are prized among trophy hunters, leading to the species becoming endangered.
Pakistan understood the importance of conserving its Markhor population early and took various initiatives, including the trophy-hunting policy, which restricts hunting to 12 animals per season. The permit is costly, thus limiting the activity to a select few. The permit for hunting one animal was issued for $186,000 in March this year, which is $26,000 more expensive than the permit that held the record in 2021. Notably, 80 percent of the proceeds go towards the local communities in the form of government expenditures and scholarships. The incentives brought by the licensing of Markhor hunting make it attractive for the locals to work towards the maintenance of the species.
On July 24, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram, highlighted the significance of Pakistan’s national animal during an event held by the United Nations Environment Program in collaboration with Tajikistan’s Mission. The envoy made it clear that while the global population of Markhor was decreasing, Pakistan’s conservation efforts led to the population increasing within the country during the past 10 years. Today, he highlighted, the population ranges between 3,500 to 5,000 animals. He also extended support for international efforts, saying that Pakistan was willing to share its experience in this domain.
Markhor’s iconic status has been recognized globally. Earlier this year, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution, proclaiming May 24 as the International Day for the Markhor. This designation of May 24, which came about due to the sponsoring of the resolution by Pakistan and eight other countries, was a significant step in the preservation of the species.
For Pakistan, the matter is not merely about the preservation of its national animal, rather it is about the ecological significance of the species in the mountainous parts of Asia. Moreover, the country believes that the preservation of the animal in its natural habitat can help promote conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices.
In January, the country was elevated to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Category I. CITIES is an intergovernmental treaty to prevent the exploitation of fauna and flora in international trade, and this elevation was an acknowledgement of Pakistan’s efforts for wildlife conservation and its regulation of imports and exports in this regard.
