Centre, KP at odds over ‘ban’ on Markhor, Ibex hunting

A new rift has emerged between the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments in light of the Centre’s decision to ban the hunting of non-exportable markhor, ibex and grey goral. In a letter addressed to the KP’s wildlife secretary, the wildlife chief conservator has said that the federal government has banned the hunting of said animals, citing the lack of permission. However, it adds that the management authority (CMA) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) in October 2024 had approved the hunting of six markhors under the non-exportable quota in Kohistan and Chitral.