Topic: Endangered species: Markhor goat
District: Kargah, Gilgit-Baltistan
LGS Paragon
In the isolated icy glaciers, and rugged snowcapped peaks of Kargah Region of Gilgit Balitistan,
walks the formidable Markhor, famous for its legendary agility, speed and beauty. With its
corkscrew-like horns and long graceful hair, the Markhor is the undisputed king of the Mountain.
Markhor literally means a “snake eater,” and it is known to hunt even the most poisonous of
snakes found in the region with quite ease.
Pakistan has a diverse and unique variety of fauna and flora, but the Markhor stands out
distinctly as the most unique and precious of all, and has earned for itself the distinction of being
selected as the national animal of Pakistan. But this national animal of Pakistan is under
immense pressure, and due to excessive hunting and degradation of its habitat is fighting its
battle for survival.
There are several threats being faced by Markhor. It is not only famous and treasured in Pakistan,
but the world over. It is the life time dream of every hunter to undertake a markhor hunt to prove
his skills- it is the hunter’s highest trophy. It is hunted not only by local people but also by
international tourists due to the thrill involved in hunting Markhor. It is being hunted down for
games and the government bodies are oblivious and unnerved by the imminent threat being faced
to its survival. Markhor lives are being lost for trophies, hunting and challenges.
Moreover, another major challenge being faced by the straight-horned markhor (Capra falconeri
jerdoni) and Astor Markhor is the loss of their natural habitat. This is occurring due to a number
of reasons such as development of the area to cater to the needs of human population which
results in reduction of their natural habitat and limiting their resources leading to deaths. The
cutting down of trees to provide people with food and their needs for furniture and for fuel in
winters, deprives on the other hand Markhors of their natural homes and takes away their very
camouflaging capability- which is indispensable for their survival- exposing them to their
predators such as Golden eagles and snow leopards. Also adding to the problems is the alteration
and reshaping of mountains to make way for human life, which actually deprives Markhors with
enough steepness to jump from one place to another, taking away the beauty and identity of our
national animal.
The reduction in the number of Markhor, or their very extinction will devastate the economy of
Gilgit Baltistan. The main source of revenue for the region is from its tourism industry, which
relies upon the scenic beauty of the place- and the animals who live there form an integral and an
inseparable part of it. The sight of Markhors in the mountains is a big tourist attraction. But
what’s more important is, that a huge amount is earned by the local government by selling
permits to hunt markhor. A single Markhor permit sells for a whopping 61000 US dollars. The
extinction of markhor would devastate hunting tourism in the region- which is the highest
revenue generating form of tourism in per capita terms in the region. Especially because most
international tourists come to the area for hunting.
Markhor also creates a foamy substance after eating a snake, which is used by locals to cure
snake bites- a very common problem in the local area. Its horns also have several medicinal
purposes a steep reduction in the number of Markhors, and an ever increasing local population
would mean a shortage of such medicines.
Urgent steps need to be taken in order to salvage Markhor from the verge of extinction. But
before deliberating upon a solution, we must realize that the hunting by international tourists is
regulated, as international tourists usually come through proper official channels. But the overhunting is being done by the uneducated local inhabitants, who live in the mountains and it is
very difficult for local authorities to monitor them. To solve this problem, the government must
start an awareness program in the region to educate the local population of the importance of the
animal and the need to preserve it. Further, stricter anti-poaching laws should not only be made,
but also properly implemented and violators should be heavily punished.
Moreover, Zones should be designated and national parks established, where hunting the
Markhors should be prohibited even by hunting-permit holders. All forms of human activity
should be limited in these areas and the natural green habitat should be preserved to provide the
Markhors with an environment to breed freely.
As Pakistanis, it is the duty of every individual to strive to protect our national animal. We have
pillaged our natural environment, cut down trees and caused the extinction of many species- but
the loss of markhor will be the most devastating of all, and must be prevented at all costs. It is
not just another animal- it’s a symbol of Pakistan.