GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government on Saturday distributed 80 per cent money received from the trophy hunting programme of 2017-18 among the local communities.

A ceremony in this regard was held at the forest complex in Jutial Gilgit.

GB Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman, Speaker GB Assembly Fida Mohammad Nashad, deputy speaker Jaffarullah Khan, minster for forest Imran Wakeel, tourism minister Fida Khan, wildlife conservation community’s representatives and wildlife officials attended the event.

On the occasion, Mr Rehman said bold decisions would be made to ensure protection of forests and wildlife in the region.

He said GB government had, with support of local wildlife conservation communities, controlled illegal hunting in the region.

He said now a markhor could be hunted after obtaining permit valuing at Rs100,000, and the income was distributed among the local community so that conservation efforts were successful.

He said the natural resources in GB not only benefited local communities, but also helped boost tourism.

The chief minister said 36 conservation communities were working to protect wildlife species across the region.

He suggested that a body of conservation communities should be established to assist government in formulating policy in that regard. GB parks and wildlife annually auctions permits of trophy hunting of wildlife species in the region.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2018