UNGA declares May 24 as int’l day of Markhor

The United Nations General Assembly has officially endorsed a resolution, championed by Pakistan and backed by eight other nations, designating May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor.

This resolution urges global participation in honoring the Day and calls upon all relevant stakeholders to prioritize international and regional collaboration in safeguarding the Markhor, recognizing its pivotal role within the broader ecosystem.

Renowned as the "screw-horned goat" and proudly hailed as Pakistan's national animal, the Markhor holds a special place in the resolution. It also extends an invitation to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to facilitate the commemoration of this significant day.

Emphasizing the Markhor's status as an emblematic and ecologically vital species inhabiting the mountainous terrains of Central and South Asia, the resolution stresses the imperative of preserving both the Markhor and its natural habitat. It underscores the ecological necessity and economic potential of Markhor conservation, advocating for sustainable tourism, economic growth, and the advancement of conservation efforts.

In Pakistan, Markhors roam the regions of Chitral, Kohistan, and Kalam in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and parts of Azad Kashmir.

Despite once facing the threat of extinction, Markhor populations have shown remarkable recovery, doubling over the past few decades and experiencing a notable surge since 2014.