GILGIT: Russian citizen Shirokov Evgeny hunted Astore Markhor in Sikandarabad valley of Nagar on Thursday, making it the fourth hunt of the ongoing trophy hunting programme in Gilgit-Baltistan and the first in the district. According to wildlife department officials, Mr Evgeny had paid 82,500 US dollars permit fee for the 49-inch-long horn-sized hunt.

Four permits were issued for the highest-rated markhor hunt for the current season. The Russian shot dead the animal at distance of 700 feet on a mountain in Nilt village.

“Ten local climbers brought the trophy down to the village two days after the hunt. Later, a ceremony was held in the honor of the foreign hunter in Sikandarabad arranged by local conservation committee.

The Russian appreciated the support of local community in the successful hunt. He said the body structure of Nagar markhor was different from others.

Ayub Waziri, a conservation committee member and president of Nagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said 80 per cent fee of the trophy hunting would be utilised on conservation of wildlife in the area, and the remaining would go to the government. He said the conservation area of the district would be extended further as the local community had been mobilised to stop illegal hunting.

Nagar district is habitat of rare species, including markhor, ibex and blue sheep.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2020