Gilgit-Baltistan’s Parks and Wildlife Department will auction hunting permits for three Astore markhor, 14 blue sheep and 100 ibexes under the GB Trophy Hunting Program 2026-27.
The highest base rate has been set at $200,000 for a markhor permit. The base rate for blue sheep has been fixed at $25,000, while Himalayan ibex permits will start at $11,000.
According to the auction notice, four Astore markhor permits were included in the exportable quota, but one permit was carried forward from the previous hunting season. As a result, three new permits will be auctioned in September.
Open bidding for the permits will be held on September 10 at the Forest Complex in Jutial, Gilgit.
The notice said trophy hunting will be conducted under the GB Trophy Hunting Guidelines 2019, from October 15 until April 10, 2027.
Hunting will only be allowed in designated conservation areas.
The trophy hunting quota has been set on the basis of annual surveys conducted by wildlife experts, according to the notice.
GB Chief Conservator Parks and Wildlife Zakir Hussain said last year the department collected Rs350 million through permit auctions against a target of Rs550 million.
He added that permits for two Astore markhors, five blue sheep and 10 exportable Himalayan ibexes went unused in the 2025-26 program, causing a loss of Rs200 million.
Hussain had previously said that law and order issues following violent protests in Gilgit and Skardu led foreign hunters, including Americans, to cancel their plans.
Local business owners and tour operators have opposed the permit rate increases for the past two years, saying the hikes have hurt business and discouraged international clients.
Ikram Beg, a hunting equipment seller, said the conservation program is facing a serious challenge.
He said the Wildlife Department had increased the base prices by more than 300 percent over the last two years without properly considering stakeholders’ recommendations.
Beg warned that the sharp increases were making Gilgit-Baltistan less competitive in the international hunting market and could reduce revenue for both communities and conservation efforts.
He said trophy hunting was introduced as a conservation tool, not just a way to increase government revenue, and its success depends on sustainable pricing, international participation, transparent management and real benefits for local communities.
Local businesses have urged authorities to review the base rates, consult communities and conservation experts, and ensure transparency and compliance with relevant rules.
Despite global criticism, supporters of trophy hunting argue that such programs help reduce poaching, support local communities and contribute to wildlife conservation.
The hunting of these animals is considered extremely difficult because of the region’s rugged terrain, steep slopes and severe weather conditions.
The trophy hunting program began in Bar Valley, Nagar, in 1990 with the involvement of local communities. Around 80 percent of the revenue from permits goes to the community for wildlife protection and conservation.
Last year, the department auctioned permits for 118 animals for the 2025-26 season, with the top Astore markhor permit fetching $370,000.
Gilgit-Baltistan is rich in biodiversity and is home to rare species such as Marco Polo sheep, ibex, markhor, urial, blue sheep, lynx, snow leopard, leopard cat, brown and black bears, wolves, foxes, marmots, chakor, ram chakor and golden eagles. Many of these species remain under threat from illegal hunting, wildlife mismanagement and climate change.
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