The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Parks and Wildlife Department cancellation of bids for auctioned trophy hunting permits for the 2024-2025 season, citing lower-than-expected earnings. The decision affects the exportable category of the auction, while the non-exportable and national categories remain unchanged.
Wildlife Conservator Khadim Hussain confirmed on an English news channel website that the bids for all animals in the exportable category, including markhor, blue sheep, and ibex, were significantly lower than anticipated, prompting the cancellation. A new auction is scheduled for November 25.
On October 30, the department initially offered 118 permits for auction, allowing the hunting of rare species in community-controlled hunting areas (CCHAs) across Gilgit-Baltistan. These included four permits for the Astore markhor, 14 for blue sheep, and 100 for Himalayan ibex. Permits were successfully auctioned for four markhor, 12 blue sheep, and 86 ibex, but the bids were notably lower compared to the previous year.
The highest bids for two Astore markhor permits in the Danyore and Buji CCHAs reached $107,000 each, a significant drop from last year’s record high of $181,000. The remaining two permits, allocated for Sikanderabad and Tangir CCHAs, were auctioned for $106,000 each, compared to last year’s bids of $171,000 to $180,000.
For the Himalayan ibex, the top bid for an exportable trophy was $6,700, while bids for non-exportable trophies reached Rs. 1.8 million. Local hunters placed the highest bid at Rs. 760,000 for ibex permits. Blue sheep trophies attracted bids of $11,200 for exportable permits and Rs. 1.65 million for non-exportable ones. These figures were significantly lower than the previous season, where international permits saw bids between $26,000 and $35,000, and local permits reached up to Rs. 1.8 million.
The department’s decision to cancel the auction highlights the challenges faced in maintaining the economic viability of trophy hunting, a practice that supports conservation efforts and local communities through revenue generation. The upcoming auction on November 25 aims to attract higher bids and ensure the sustainability of these initiatives.
