Trophy Hunting in Arkari Valley Seen as Model for Wildlife Protection and Community Welfare
In Upper Chitral’s Arkari Valley, local hunter Zeeshan Nasir has marked a significant achievement by successfully hunting a Himalayan ibex during the ongoing trophy hunting season.
According to Wildlife Department spokesperson Latif Rehman, the ibex was 10 years old and carried horns measuring an impressive 43.5 inches, making it a prized trophy. He noted that sustained conservation and protection efforts in Arkari Valley have led to a healthy rise in the ibex population, allowing regulated hunting to continue without harming the species.
Under Pakistan’s trophy hunting framework, 80 percent of the revenue generated from hunting permits is allocated to Village Conservation Committees (VCCs). These funds are invested in local welfare initiatives, including education, healthcare, and community development projects, ensuring that the benefits of conservation are shared directly with residents.
Experts and community members have praised the program as a model of sustainable tourism and wildlife conservation, highlighting how it balances ecological protection with economic opportunity. By channeling resources back into villages, trophy hunting has become a tool for preserving natural habitats while supporting livelihoods in remote areas like Upper Chitral.
