A record-breaking bid of $370,000 was placed for an Astore markhor hunting permit during the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Wildlife and Parks Department auction for the 2025–26 trophy hunting season. The auction featured permits for 118 animals, including four Astore markhors, 100 Himalayan ibex, and 14 blue sheep.
The highest bid came from Shikar Safari’s owner, Raja Farhad Maqpoon, who secured the permit for the Nanga Parbat conservancy in Astore. Other Astore markhor permits were sold for $286,000, $270,000, and $240,000.
Trophy Hunting Revenues and Community Benefits
Gilgit-Baltistan’s trophy hunting programme has been credited with supporting conservation by engaging local communities. Around 80 percent of the revenue generated is distributed to these communities for development and wildlife protection projects. Supporters argue that the programme has played a significant role in safeguarding endangered species like the Astore markhor.
However, the steep rise in permit fees has sparked concerns among outfitters and conservationists. While the programme was designed to balance conservation with sustainable tourism, many now fear that the recent price hikes could make it unsustainable in the long run.
Rising Permit Prices
For the 2025–26 season, the base price of an Astore markhor permit was raised to $200,000. Blue sheep and Himalayan ibex permits were priced at $30,000 and $10,000, respectively. In comparison, last year’s rates were considerably lower at $150,000 for markhor, $9,000 for blue sheep, and $5,500 for ibex.
The highest bid for a blue sheep permit this year reached $40,000, while a Himalayan ibex permit was sold for $13,000. Both were secured by an outfitter from Markhor Safaris.
By contrast, in the 2024–25 season, the highest bid for a markhor stood at $161,000, earning the GB government over Rs30 million. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the highest bid for a markhor permit reached $271,000 in Chitral.
Concerns from Outfitters and Stakeholders
Despite the impressive figures, local outfitters warned that the sudden surge in prices is discouraging international hunters and harming their businesses. They argue that inflated costs are reducing participation and cutting into community revenues that depend heavily on the programme.
Ikram Beg, a Gilgit-based outfitter, noted that participation has declined sharply due to the new fee structure. He warned that without careful management, the initiative risks becoming a “failed experiment” rather than a model of conservation.
He emphasized that trophy hunting was originally designed as a community-driven conservation project, not as a commercial venture. According to him, the shift towards profit-driven pricing undermines the very foundation of the programme.
Similarly, Safari Club International Pakistan Chapter Chairman, Syed Sumsam Ali Bokhari, cautioned that higher prices threaten Pakistan’s competitiveness in the regional trophy hunting market. He added that hunters may prefer neighbouring countries with lower permit costs, further straining Pakistan’s wildlife conservation model.
Balancing Conservation and Sustainability
While trophy hunting has long been seen as a success story in Gilgit-Baltistan, experts believe the sharp increase in prices could change the dynamics. The challenge now lies in maintaining a balance between generating sufficient revenue for conservation and keeping the programme attractive to international hunters.
The record $370,000 bid highlights global interest in hunting rare species like the Astore markhor. Yet, unless managed with long-term sustainability in mind, this surge in fees could deter participation and weaken the very conservation model it was meant to strengthen.
