GILGIT-BALTISTAN has rich flora and fauna. Some rare species are found here including Marco Polo sheep, ibex, markhors, blue sheep, lynx, snow leopard, leopard cat, brown and black bears, fox, wolf, marmot, chakor, ram chakor and golden eagle.

But with the increasing illegal hunting and auction permits provided to amateur foreign hunters by the GB wildlife department, the population of already endangered species has been shrinking rapidly.

Some of the rare species are on the brink of extinction.

Until recently, in Astore district, an American citizen was given the permit to hunt markhors. The markhor had 43-inch-long horns. The markhor of Astore region are considered one of the most rare and highly expensive species.

Similarly, back in September 2018, GB wildlife department auctioned the permit for the hunting of 113 rare species. Besides, illegal hunting from some of the locals is also making these species extinct.

The local administration claims that 80 per cent of income of this hunting is used on the development of education, health and other sectors of progress. However, one cannot see any progress in the region so far through this income.

The authorities concerned only fill their pockets with this revenue. This should be stopped. These species are great blessings and we should preserve them instead of making them extinct for money.

Zahid Ali

Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2019