GILGIT: An amount of Rs50 million was distributed among the representatives of the 18 Community Controlled Hunting Area (CCHA) in Gilgit-Baltistan as the community’s share in the annual trophy hunting programme fee.

Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan distributed the cheques at a ceremony here on Tuesday.

It is to mention here that 80 per cent share of the trophy hunting fee goes to the community.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid said the trophy hunting programme was a success story of the local community as it was being copied across the world.

“It became possible through the participation of the members of the conservation committees,” he said.

The chief minister said protection of forest, wildlife species, glaciers and ecosystem could become the most benefiting business in the region to help boost the tourism sector.

He said the natural resources needed protection, and lauded the efforts of GB wildlife and forest department in that regard.

Mr Khurshid said GB people were most vulnerable to climate change and natural catastrophes, including flooding, landslides and snow avalanches.

He said tree plantation and restoration of ecosystems was necessary for mitigating climate change impacts.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2021