Trophy hunting: Cheques distributed among VCCs

PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Wildlife, Forests, Environment, and Climate Change, Pir Musavir Khan, distributed cheques worth approximately Rs 240 million among Village Conservation Committees (VCCs) established for wildlife conservation in Chitral.

Eighty percent of the revenue generated from the trophy hunting programme is reinvested into the local community for welfare and development purposes, said a handout.

Speaking on the occasion, Pir Musavir emphasised the pivotal role of local communities in the conservation of the markhor species noting that community support is vital for wildlife conservation.

The ceremony was organized by the Wildlife Department in Chitral to distribute community share cheques from the revenue generated through the markhor and ibex hunting programme.

Member Provincial Assembly Fateh-ul-Mulk Ali Nasir, Chief Conservator of Wildlife Northern Region Safdar Ali Shah, senior officials and local residents attended the ceremony.

Pir Musavir Khan reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to involving local communities in the protection of natural resources and wildlife conservation. He noted a steady increase in the Markhor population, attributing it to the active involvement of local communities.