Two locals jailed for illegal markhor hunting in GB

A wildlife magistrate court in Gilgit has sentenced two men to two years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs300,000 each for illegally hunting an Astore markhor, a rare and endangered species of wild goat native to the region.

The Forest, Parks, Wildlife, and Environment Department of Gilgit-Baltistan apprehended the accused, Malik Shah and Mansoor Khan, both residents of the Barms area of Gilgit, during a coordinated operation in the Barms Nullah.

Acting on a tip-off, the department, with support from Frontier Constabulary personnel, confiscated nine kilograms of markhor meat, a 7mm rifle, six live cartridges, and a pair of binoculars from the culprits.

The offenders were presented before the Wildlife Magistrate/Divisional Forest Officer for a summary trial. During the hearing, they confessed to their crime.

Based on the evidence and their admission of guilt, the court convicted them under provisions of the Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife Act and Forest Act.

The court ruled that failure to pay the imposed fine would result in an additional year of imprisonment for each convict. It also ordered the immediate auction of the confiscated meat to prevent wastage.

Hunting of protected species, including the Astore markhor, is strictly prohibited except under regulated trophy hunting programmes, which are designed to contribute to conservation efforts.