KARACHI (NPTV/UN): The UNGA has proclaimed 24th May the International Day of the Markhor and first such jour is being observed on Friday.
The Markhor is an iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia, including Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The greatest threats to the survival of the Markhor are habitat loss, illegal hunting and climate change.
The Markhor was categorized as “near threatened” in 2014 and is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Preserving the Markhor and its natural habitat is an ecological imperative.
It supports the regional economy, foster conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism.
Pakistan, that presently harbors some 3-5000 Markhors, allows hunting of few Markhors during the season and 80% of the money is given to the community.
Newspakistan.tv/APP/UN