Auction of Trophy Hunting Permits for Markhor, Urial, Sindh Ibex and Gazelle by Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department

The Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department invites bids for trophy hunting permits in community-based game reserves for the 2026–27 season. The hunting period is 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027. National and international bidders registered with the CITES Management Authority of Pakistan may offer sealed bids to the Chief Conservator Wildlife, Balochistan, Head Office, Sarab Road, opposite the University of Balochistan, Quetta.

The permits initially announced are: STEP, 64 Suleiman Markhor and 7 Afghan Urial; DEWS, 16 Blanford Urial, 16 Sindh Ibex and 10 Kennion Gazelle; WWS, 3 Blanford Urial, 6 Sindh Ibex and 5 Afghan Urial; TGCS, 3 Blanford Urial, 7 Sindh Ibex and 2 Kennion Gazelle; and PWCS, 6 Blanford Urial and 6 Sindh Ibex. An enhancement request has been submitted to the CITES Management Authority: STEP Afghan Urial to 10; DEWS Blanford Urial to 17, Sindh Ibex to 18 and Kennion Gazelle to 11; WWS 4 new Kennion Gazelle permits and Afghan Urial to 6; TGCS Sindh Ibex to 8 and Kennion Gazelle to 3; and PWCS Blanford Urial and Sindh Ibex to 8 each. Enhanced allocations depend on approval and would be included in the bidding process.

The 64 Suleiman Markhor permits for Torghar will be auctioned through open bidding on 24 November 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., before STEP representatives. Sealed bids for other permits will be received that day until 1:30 p.m. and opened at 2:00 p.m. by the Trophy Hunting Auction Committee in the presence of bidders, authorized representatives and representatives of community-based game reserves.

Bidders must deposit 80% in the bank account of the relevant community-based conservancy and 20% through bank challan receipts into the Endowment Fund account maintained at NBP Civil Secretariat Branch (0173), titled Conservation of Wildlife Finance Department, Government of Balochistan. Successful bidders will be notified within three working days by fax, WhatsApp or email and must confirm acceptance within three working days. Permits are governed by Section 39 of the Balochistan Wildlife Act, 2014 and Rule 15 of the Balochistan Wildlife Rules, 2015.

Special-rate security deposits for successful bidders or outfitters in the Chief Conservator Wildlife's name are Rs. 1,500,000 for Suleiman Markhor, Rs. 300,000 for Afghan/Blanford Urial, Rs. 260,000 for Sindh Ibex and Rs. 100,000 for Kennion Gazelle. Foreign bidders must purchase permits through open or sealed bidding, starting at reserved rates of USD 88,000 for Suleiman Markhor, USD 20,000 each for Afghan Urial and Blanford Urial, USD 5,000 for Sindh Ibex and USD 2,500 for Kennion Gazelle. Local bidders offering the highest bids for combined species are encouraged.

Successful hunters must additionally obtain a Big Game Shooting Licence: Rs. 25,000 for Straight-Horned Markhor, Rs. 15,000 each for Afghan Urial and Blanford Urial, Rs. 5,000 for Sindh Ibex and Rs. 5,000 for Kennion Gazelle/Chinkara. Hunting is limited to the conservancy named on the permit. If a bidder declines, the permit may pass to the next-highest bidder. Trophy hunting fees are non-refundable.

Outfitters and conservancy representatives are responsible for hunter security, safety, travel clearances and NOCs. Only animals with huntable-size horns may be hunted. Hunters must report personally to the Chief Conservator's office before hunting and leaving the province, and arrange CITES export and inter-provincial export permits. The Chief Conservator reserves the right to reject any or all bids without assigning a reason. Office telephone: 092812445792.