ISLAMABAD, March 28: Local communities in Chitral have accused the wildlife department of violating an agreement and withholding their Rs7 million share of the proceeds of markhor trophy hunting in the Chitral Gol National Park. For conservation of the endangered species, local communities and the department had reached an agreement in 1999 under which a markhor intruding into community fields was allowed free graze and, in fact, protected by the communities. As a result, the Gol Park has now the highest population of markhor in the country.

In return, the communities were to get funds for development of their areas. For this purpose, a trophy hunting scheme was introduced to generate the required money. According to the agreement, 80 per cent of the proceeds of the scheme go to the village conservation committees, whereas the remaining money is taken by the government. Within a short period, the number of the endangered species in the area increased by 100 per cent and the trophy hunting paid handsome dividends.

The system made it obligatory on the department to auction hunting permits to the highest bidding outfitters. Besides, the government notifies all the village conservation committees about a planned hunt while seeking their proposals about trophy-worthy animals identified by them in their respective areas.

However, smooth functioning of this efficient system was too much for officials of the department to stomach, as they had other plans up their sleeves. They planned to create a rift between the communities who were demanding that the department should reimburse the outstanding amount from the previous years’ hunt proceeds.

It may be mentioned that the hunters deposit permit fees in the wildlife department’s bank account four months prior to hunt. The communities said the department violated the terms of partnership and without paying them outstanding amount or even informing them of new hunting, it tried to go for the current seasons hunting.

They said they would not allow trophy hunt until the department stopped violating the agreement and paid the outstanding dues to the communities. The communities also urged President Pervez Musharraf to intervene in the matter and resolve the issue in the interest of the local people.