GILGIT: A local official hunted Himalayan ibex with horns measuring 44 inches near the Nanga Parbat base camp in Astore district here on Friday.

Masood Sifat, a CSP officer, claimed the trophy hunting after travelling for 14 hours amid snow.

According to the GB wildlife and environmental department, Mr Sifat hunted the ibex in Chorat Rupal Conservancy.

The local hunter had got the hunting permit after paying Rs200,000 to the department. He had also paid Rs50,000 to the local community.

This was the first Himalayan ibex hunt in Astore under the trophy hunting programme.

The purpose of hunting of the Himalayan ibex in Astore is to attract foreign hunters to take part in trophy hunting of wildlife species.

The wildlife, environment and forest department has already auctioned four permits for Astore Markhor, 18 for Blue Sheep and 150 for Himalayan ibexes for trophy hunting programme of 2020-21.

The trophy hunting programme starts in November and ends in April. Foreign, national and local hunters hunt the trophies after getting licences in conservation areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Meanwhile, Diamer district magistrate imposed ban on cutting of forests and transportation of timber.

According to a notification issued on Friday, timber mafia was indulging in illegal cutting of forests and transportation, which was cause deforestation and environmental pollution.

The district magistrate, exercising his authority under section 144, imposed ban on illegal cutting of forests and transportation of timber, and warned that action would be taken against those found violating the ban.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2020