PESHAWAR, Dec 8: Pakistan’s annual quota for trophy hunting of Markhor, a rare wild goat with beautiful horns, has been doubled from existing six animals to 12 animals.

The approval of this quota enhancement was obtained by a two-member team of Wildlife department of Pakistan from CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora), during its recent conference held in November 2002 in Chile (South America).

This was stated by Chief Conservator Wildlife, NWFP, Dr Mumtaz Malik, who headed the team.

He said the increase in trophy hunting quota will not only improve revenue generation of the country, but also have a salutary effect on efforts for conservation of markhor.

“The government attaches great importance to conservation of wildlife through involvement of communities,” he observed. At the conference, the Pakistan representatives pleaded for the removal of quota restrictions on trophy hunting.

The country, they said, has the largest population of markhor and due to meagre quota was facing difficulties in distribution of funds generated through this practice among communities caring for the protected areas.

—APP