For the first time in Punjab, partridge hunting permits in the Salt Range have been distributed through an official auction, introducing a new model of regulated and community-driven wildlife management.
According to the Punjab Wildlife Department, bidding reached as high as Rs. 300,000, marking a major shift toward transparency and organized game hunting in the province. With the start of the hunting season, large territories in Chakwal, Jhelum, and nearby districts have been declared Community-Based Conservancies (CBCs), where all hunting rights are now granted through competitive bidding rather than standard permits.
Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Zahid Ali explained that two conservancies were set up last year in partridge-abundant regions, covering 36 zones, following a system similar to the one used for Punjab urial conservation. This year, the department has expanded the structure by allocating an additional 133 zones and preparing to register more conservancies to manage them.
On the opening day of auctions, permits for 87 zones were sold, bringing in Rs. 3.0827 million. Many permits crossed the Rs. 100,000 mark, with the top bid reaching Rs. 300,000. Officials stated that each zone will issue around nine permits, each allowing the use of up to three rifles and the hunting of six partridges.
Zahid Ali noted that hunting areas are approved only after thorough field surveys confirm healthy bird populations. Consultations with local communities help align hunting practices with conservation goals. Under the new model, 80 percent of the auction proceeds will go back to local residents to improve bird habitats and curb illegal hunting activities.
Hunting will only be allowed on Sundays, and each permit will be valid for a single day within the designated zone. Although the official partridge permit fee is Rs. 1,000, the auction system has generated far greater revenue.
Officials hailed the initiative as a milestone that strengthens community involvement, enhances accountability, and supports long-term wildlife protection across the Salt Range.
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