CHITRAL, 02 Jan 09: Although game hunting specially that of the rare animals like Markhor is not allowed but recently government had allowed a controlled hunting of Markhor in special reserve areas.
A Norwegian rare game Hunter Mr. Oyvind Christensen hunted a Kashmiri Markhor of 47 inches trophy at the Tooshi game reserve.
Mr. Christensen paid US$ 81200 as permit fee for this hunt. Talking to local newsmen Mr. Christensen said that Chitral is a very peaceful place & the people of Chitral are very friendly, civilized and cooperative people.
Deputy Forest officer Wild Life Mr. Imtiaz Hussain said that Chitral has more than 2000 Markhor population and other wild life like Ibex, snow leopard and rare birds. He said Chitral issues 3 to 4 hunting permits per season. 20% of total amount is taken by wild life department, 40% is given to local community and 40% to conservation committee.
Talking to this scribe Shahzada Gul general secretary of Al-Burhan village conservation committee said that Chitral was having over 2000 Markhors but wild life was issuing only 3 permits. He demanded from high ups of wild life to increase number of permits from 3 to 6 permits per year to compensate the local community and volunteers of village conservation committee
Tooshi Game Reserve, along the paved road to Garam Chashma in Chitral’s Lutkho district, covers 1000 hectares and is proposed to be reclassified as a wildlife sanctuary, as it has a large (about 160) and readily viewable markhor population. The markhor are best seen along the road at dusk. The jeep ride is just 20 minutes from Chitral town.
For details of organising such adventures and safaris in these areas please contact us
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