Trophy hunting provides socioeconomic benefits to communities in Gilgit Baltistan. Through community conservation programs, local communities conserve wildlife habitats and populations in return for sharing revenues from permit fees for hunting large trophy animals like markhor, ibex, and blue sheep. Hunting programs have led to increased populations of endangered species. Communities receive 80% of permit fees, providing a significant source of income. This study found that trophy hunting improved local incomes and incentivized conservation, with wildlife populations and trophy sizes increasing in community-managed areas. The programs have educated communities about conservation while supporting sustainable use of natural resources.
1. SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACTSOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACT
OF TROPHY HUNTING ONOF TROPHY HUNTING ON
COMUNITIES IN GILGITCOMUNITIES IN GILGIT
BALTISTANBALTISTAN
BYBY
SHER BAHADUR (M.Sc) ZOOLOGYSHER BAHADUR (M.Sc) ZOOLOGY
KARAKORAM INTERNATIONALKARAKORAM INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY,GILGITUNIVERSITY,GILGIT
2. SUPERVISOR:SUPERVISOR:
MRS. JAMILA BAIGMRS. JAMILA BAIG
CO-SUPERVISOR:CO-SUPERVISOR:
MR. SABIR HUSSAINMR. SABIR HUSSAIN
Department of Biological SciencesDepartment of Biological Sciences
KARAKORAM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITYKARAKORAM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Gilgit - BaltistanGilgit - Baltistan
3. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
Trophy HuntingTrophy Hunting
Trophy hunting is a form of sportTrophy hunting is a form of sport
hunting where people enjoy naturehunting where people enjoy nature
with fulfilling their desire of huntingwith fulfilling their desire of hunting
wild animals. The animals selected aswild animals. The animals selected as
trophies have large horns (36” ortrophies have large horns (36” or
more).more).
5. (CTHPs(CTHPs))
inin GILGIT BALTISTANGILGIT BALTISTAN
CTHPs were developed by IUCN between 1995CTHPs were developed by IUCN between 1995
and 1999 . A CTHP involving two species ofand 1999 . A CTHP involving two species of
CaprinaeCaprinae (wild goat and sheep), markhor and(wild goat and sheep), markhor and
Asiatic ibex, was developed to provide anAsiatic ibex, was developed to provide an
economic incentive for communities to conserveeconomic incentive for communities to conserve
biological diversity, including habitat for wildlife.biological diversity, including habitat for wildlife.
Programs have been implemented in each of thePrograms have been implemented in each of the
areas the Hushey Community Conservationareas the Hushey Community Conservation
Area (CCA) in eastern Baltistan, the SKB trophyArea (CCA) in eastern Baltistan, the SKB trophy
hunting area along the Indus River in westernhunting area along the Indus River in western
Baltistan, the area of Gojal, and the nearbyBaltistan, the area of Gojal, and the nearby
KVO CCA to be opened for blue sheepKVO CCA to be opened for blue sheep (Pseudois(Pseudois
nayaur)nayaur) hunting.hunting.
6. CCHA IN G.BCCHA IN G.B
Name of CCHAName of CCHA Area (Sq km)Area (Sq km)
Khyber HunzaKhyber Hunza 323323
Bar GilgitBar Gilgit 906906
Shinaki GilgitShinaki Gilgit 233233
Gulkin HunzaGulkin Hunza 103103
Karumber GhizerKarumber Ghizer 647647
Hoshey GhancheHoshey Ghanche 582582
Astore DiamerAstore Diamer 696696
S.K.B SkarduS.K.B Skardu 19811981
K.V.OK.V.O 650650
Gulmit/MinapinGulmit/Minapin 210210
Sakwar/Jutial/BarmasSakwar/Jutial/Barmas 7575
Sikanderabad/JafferabadSikanderabad/Jafferabad 4444
8. Hunting SeasonHunting Season
The hunting season for ungulate species shall beThe hunting season for ungulate species shall be
form 1form 1stst
November to 31 March as per theNovember to 31 March as per the
provision in the Northern Areas Wildlife Actprovision in the Northern Areas Wildlife Act
1975.The Chief Wild life warden amended this1975.The Chief Wild life warden amended this
rule in 2006 and extended the hunting period uprule in 2006 and extended the hunting period up
to 20to 20thth
april.april.
9. Size of Trophy.Size of Trophy.
The minimum male trophy size forThe minimum male trophy size for
Himalayan Ibex, is 36inch.Himalayan Ibex, is 36inch.
Astore Markhore 40inch.Astore Markhore 40inch.
Blue sheep shall be 25 inch;Blue sheep shall be 25 inch;
Shooting of undersize, females and year lings is anShooting of undersize, females and year lings is an
offence as per the Northern Areas Wildlife Actoffence as per the Northern Areas Wildlife Act
1975.1975.
10. MARKHORMARKHOR
Permit Cost: Government permit cost is US$Permit Cost: Government permit cost is US$
40000-00 for each markhor.40000-00 for each markhor.
11. IBEXIBEX
Permit Cost: Government permit cost isPermit Cost: Government permit cost is
US$ 2500-00 for each ibex.US$ 2500-00 for each ibex.
12. BLUE SHEEPBLUE SHEEP
Permit Cost: Government permit cost is US$Permit Cost: Government permit cost is US$
6000 for each Blue Sheep6000 for each Blue Sheep
13. Objective of the studyObjective of the study
The study was carried out to find out the followingThe study was carried out to find out the following
points.points.
Socio –economic condition of communities ofSocio –economic condition of communities of
G.B.G.B.
Impact of trophy Hunting on ecosystem andImpact of trophy Hunting on ecosystem and
development of area.development of area.
Protection and conservation of endangeredProtection and conservation of endangered
specie.specie.
14. Material and MethodsMaterial and Methods
The study was carried out in the trophy huntingThe study was carried out in the trophy hunting
areas of G.B which comprised of 97347 person.areas of G.B which comprised of 97347 person.
The study was conducted through randomThe study was conducted through random
sampling of communities and owners with thesampling of communities and owners with the
help of list prepared from voters list .help of list prepared from voters list .
10 communities were randomly selected to10 communities were randomly selected to
collect the data from entire area.collect the data from entire area.
Interviews were conducted on the basis ofInterviews were conducted on the basis of
especially designed questionnaires and schedule.especially designed questionnaires and schedule.
The questions were asked and filled in by anThe questions were asked and filled in by an
interviewer in a face to face interview withinterviewer in a face to face interview with
respondent.respondent.
16. RESULTSRESULTS
There is no apparent difference in opinion ofThere is no apparent difference in opinion of
respondents. almost all respondents have samerespondents. almost all respondents have same
perceptions about general effect of the conservationperceptions about general effect of the conservation
of wildlife and trophy hunting projects upon theof wildlife and trophy hunting projects upon the
area.area.
Majority 90% of the the local community membersMajority 90% of the the local community members
were the view that the project had brought positivewere the view that the project had brought positive
change in the income of the project area.change in the income of the project area.
21. ConclusionConclusion
Through the study we concluded that these typesThrough the study we concluded that these types
of project are very beneficial for the localof project are very beneficial for the local
communities and also for the improvement ofcommunities and also for the improvement of
environment.environment.
Through the conservation of wildlife and trophyThrough the conservation of wildlife and trophy
hunting projects the people are well aware abouthunting projects the people are well aware about
the wildlife and environment.the wildlife and environment.
The people want to protect the animals forThe people want to protect the animals for
recreational value.recreational value.
The Local person gets employment through theThe Local person gets employment through the
Trophy hunting.Trophy hunting.
The Local people are also getting training inThe Local people are also getting training in
hunting and conservation activities.hunting and conservation activities.
22. RecommendationsRecommendations
Communities are to be involved in theCommunities are to be involved in the
management of natural resources like trophymanagement of natural resources like trophy
hunting considering them to support thehunting considering them to support the
conservation.conservation.
The distribution of quota should be madeThe distribution of quota should be made
through a transparent mechanism involvingthrough a transparent mechanism involving
community representatives.community representatives.
25. Acknowledgment
I am grateful to
Mrs.Jamila Baig (Supervisor)
Mr.Sabir Hussain SDFO (Co-Supervisor)
Ghulam Tahir (Directore)KNP GB
Ghulam Muhammad (D.F.O)
WILD LIFE DEPARTMENT G.B