The Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife and Parks Department has announced a significant increase in hunting permit fees for the 2025–26 season. The base price for an Astore markhor permit has been raised to $200,000. Permits for blue sheep and Himalayan ibex are priced at $30,000 and $10,000, respectively.
The department plans to auction 118 trophy hunting permits this season. This includes four for Astore markhor, 100 for Himalayan ibex, and 14 for blue sheep. The auction will be held at the Forest, Parks, and Wildlife Complex in Gilgit.
Last year, the minimum fees were $150,000 for markhor, $9,000 for blue sheep, and $5,500 for ibex. Despite 118 permits being available in 2024–25, only 60 were sold. The highest bid for a markhor permit reached $161,000.
Officials and hunting outfitters have expressed concerns that the sharp fee increases could discourage international hunters. They warn this may negatively impact local communities in Gilgit-Baltistan that rely on income from trophy hunting.
Syed Sumsam Ali Bokhari, chairman of Safari Club International Pakistan Chapter, said Pakistan is becoming less competitive due to rising costs. He compared it with regional alternatives, noting markhor hunts in Tajikistan cost about $160,000, and ibex hunts in Central Asia are generally below $10,000.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s community-based trophy hunting program, launched in 1990, allocates nearly 80 percent of revenue to conservation and local development. Stakeholders caution that unchecked price hikes may threaten the sustainability of this program and the benefits it provides to wildlife and communities.
The increase in permit fees aims to support conservation efforts while maintaining economic incentives for local residents. Authorities say careful management is essential to ensure the long-term success of hunting programs in Gilgit-Baltistan.
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