ANIMALS in Pakistan are in danger owing to overhunting and poaching. This has resulted in a decline of different species.

Gilgit-Baltistan is a popular region for tourism and is also home to a variety of plants and animals, including the ibex, markhor, snow leopard, wild cat, bears and many others.

Recently, the GB wildlife department auctioned off hunting permits for 18 rare species under the trophy hunting programme 2018 and 2019 (particularly for the Astore markhor and blue sheep).

The rate for the hunting permit for the Astore markhor was fixed at $75,000, blue sheep $8,000 and Rs100,000 for an ibex. The money made is spent on the local community projects focusing on health and education.

While the money is being used for good, I would like to remind these officials that the permits will increase the rate of extinction for these animals.

Pakistan is home to many rare species of plants and animals but they are in danger.

Our government should take notice of this and make laws to stop this.

Z.N. Baloch
Kolahoo, Balochistan

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2018