GB to Auction Markhor, Blue Sheep and Ibex Hunting Permits

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Parks and Wildlife Department is preparing to auction hunting permits for three Astore markhors, 14 blue sheep and 100 Himalayan ibexes as part of the region's 2026-27 trophy hunting programme. The open bidding is scheduled for September 10 at the Forest Complex in Jutial, Gilgit, with the new hunting season set to begin in October.

The department has placed the highest base price on the Astore markhor permits at $200,000 each. Blue sheep permits will start at $25,000, while the baseline for Himalayan ibex permits has been fixed at $11,000. Officials said four Astore markhors were included in the exportable quota, but one permit was carried forward from the previous season, leaving three new permits to be auctioned this year.

According to the official auction notice, hunting under the programme will be permitted only in designated conservation areas and will operate under the Gilgit-Baltistan Trophy Hunting Guidelines 2019. The 2026-27 season is scheduled to run from October 15 until April 10, 2027. Authorities said the number of permits was determined on the basis of annual wildlife surveys conducted by experts.

Chief Conservator Parks and Wildlife Zakir Hussain said the previous season generated about Rs35 million through auctioned permits against a target of Rs55 million. Several permits remained unused, including those covering two Astore markhors, five blue sheep and 10 exportable Himalayan ibexes. Officials have linked the shortfall to disruptions that discouraged foreign hunters from completing planned visits to the region.

The trophy hunting programme has become an important source of income for communities involved in wildlife protection across Gilgit-Baltistan. Around 80 per cent of the revenue earned from hunting licences is allocated to local communities for conservation and related development activities. The initiative began with community participation in Bar Valley, Nagar, in 1990 and has since expanded across designated conservation zones.

However, local business owners and tour operators have raised concerns about repeated increases in permit prices. They argue that higher baseline rates could make Gilgit-Baltistan less competitive for international hunters and reduce the number of permits ultimately purchased. Hunting equipment businessman Ikram Beg said stakeholders believe pricing decisions should take greater account of market conditions, community interests and the long-term sustainability of the programme.

The debate highlights the balance authorities are attempting to maintain between revenue generation, wildlife conservation and international demand. Trophy hunting remains controversial, but supporters of the regulated programme argue that limiting hunts to surveyed quotas and directing a substantial share of income to local communities creates financial incentives to protect wildlife from illegal hunting. Gilgit-Baltistan is home to several rare species, including markhor, ibex, blue sheep, snow leopards, lynx and brown bears.

Attention will now turn to the September 10 auction and whether international hunters and outfitters are willing to meet the new baseline prices. The level of participation will determine how much revenue the programme generates for conservation communities and whether concerns over pricing persist ahead of the October opening of the hunting season.