International Day of the Markhor

Markhor is a national animal of Pakistan. It is present in different regions of KPK, and Balochistan, with the majority of the population in KPK particularly in Swat and Chitral district. Markhor has two sub-species that are further divided in to ve types Astor Markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri), Kashmir or Pir Panjal Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis), Kabul Markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros), Suleiman Markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni), and Chiltan Markhor (Capra falconeri chialtanensis). The fifth one Chiltan Markhor is not a true Markhor and considered a crossbreed of Markhor and wild goat. These Markhor species are present in different areas of Pakistan and they differ from each other on the basis of their location and their horns. Its IUCN status is near threatened in Pakistan. The major reasons for its decline are habitat loss, illegal hunting and poaching. Although, a number of conservation programs and various national and international agencies are working for...

 It is reported that different species of Markhor are present in mountainous regions of Balochistan and KPK and threats to biodiversity are noticed. The developing countries are more on the verge of these threats as they need support to build policies for conservation . There must be some conservation programs for the conservationof Markhor . Local inhabitants, non-governmental associations (NGOs) and the public authority have taken steps for biodiversity protection in the northern zones of Pakistan. There is a private preservation program named as Torghar Conservation project (TCP) established in 1986 after discussion with Pathan ancestral pioneers and qualied natural life scientists from the USA. TCP has its fundamental target the reclamation and preservation of the Suleiman Markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros), and the Afghan urial (Ovis orientalis cycloceros in the Torghar that lies in district Killa Saifullah, Balochistan, Pakistan. Some other aims of this project are ...

  With special approval of CITES , the KPK WD launched the community based markhor trophy hunting program in the Province in 1997. This program was launched to encourage nearby communities and their role in the protection of Markhor and other wild species. For this 80% of the permit fee has to be placed into a Village Conservation Fund (VCF). This program worked effectively to change the point of view of locals. The KPK ought to get acknowledgement for this accomplishment since nearby occupants effectively participated in the security of markhors . In 1992, CITES moved all Capra falconeri subspecies and populations from Appendix II to Appendix I. In 1997, the Conference of Parties to the Convention on InternationalTrade in Endangered Species (CITES) issued a resolution permitting an annual export limit of six Markhor trophies from Pakistan's community-based hunt market sectors to  CITES -accredited countries.  Wildlife Conservation Society. The WCS community-based cons...

 All five sub-species of Markhor are at the forefront of threats which include the habitat loss, low reproductive rates, lack of incentives, poaching, lack of operational funds, lack of public awareness and deforestation etc.. One of the major problems is habitat loss which plays a vital role in the extinction of Markhor and other wild animals. The factors which affect the habitat of Markhor are overpopulation of humans, more usage of wood, logs planks, pasturing, foraging and conquering of alien species. In 1975 Wildlife Act a cash reward is announced but no reward for the staff and insufficient investment demoted the workers. Lack of education is a hindrance in conservation. Regional community in KPK are ignorant of the social and economic welfare for renewable conservation of wildlife. So, it is noticed a lack of knowledge about wise use of wild species, lack of concentration, inadequate budget, and topographical isolation are some reasons for the extinction of hoofed species....

Pakistan has a wide variety of wild goats and sheeps belonging to subfamily Caprinae and family bovidae. There are seven Caprinae species which are found in Pakistan, and further partitioned into 12 subspecies . Markhor is one of the members of family Bovidae and subfamily Caprinae, which was rstly portrayed by Wagner in 1839. The word Markhor is imitative of Persian linguistic means snake eater. However, it is mostly considered as Pashto driven word "MAR Akhkar". "MAR" represents snake and "Akhkar" to horns. Later on passage of time, the word became Markhor. On the basis of horns Markhor has two sub-species such as straight horned and are horned Markhor. The straight horned Markhor further divided into Kabul and Suleiman Markhor while, are horned Markhor into Astor and Kashmir Markhor, The markhor is also divided into five types that are found in Pakistan and recognized as Astor Markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri), Kashmir or Pir Panjal Markhor (Capra f...

 Markhor have solid and nearly short legs with expansive hooves. Its fur color is varied with regions and it is from reddish brown to grayish brown or dim. Adult male sizes are between 99-104 cm at the shoulder and total body length is 132- 185 cm. Females are much smaller than males . These animals are diurnal in feeding habits and found very active at early morning and late evening during the summer, however in winter they feed discontinuously during the day. When the ground is covered in snow, Markhor graze mostly on the leaves of oak trees , whereas throughout the summer they consume more forbs and grasses . This showed feeding habits and food priorities are changed with the season and accessibility. The mating season begins in late October and continues till early December. The development gestation period is approximately 160 to 170 days.