Trophy Hunting & its Impact on Eco-tourism Gojal Valley

Gojal is an enchanted valley famous for high mountains, beautiful lakes, fascinating glaciers, beautiful meadows, breath-taking pastures, educated and hospitable community. Along with natural wealth and beauty, the valley harbors a diverse and endangered mountainous cultural tradition. The total population of the area is about 25000 and majority speaks Wakhi language; while Burushaski and Domaaki languages are also spoken in some villages.

Trophy hunting has visible supporters and opponents. There is still public debate about trophy hunting and still there are questions about the morality of sport hunting and the question about the scope to which the money paid by trophy hunters benefits the population of game animals and the local economy. The concept and practice of trophy hunting should not be confused with poaching, the practice of taking game illegally.

For the people of Gojal, pastures and other natural reserves are important asset, but poor awareness, inappropriate management ,strategies and conflicts over some pastures have increased the insecurity for the wildlife. Now a days trophy hunting is practiced in a controlled way, following with some formal administrative procedures which produce financial and conservation benefits. Percentage of revenue generated from Trophy is used for  infrastructural development and other community support activities, the revenue does not only improves the material condition of the local population, but it also gives them a stake in the wildlife as an incentive to conserve it. 

Photo Credit: Writer 

Number of illegal killings and poaching has been considerably reduced through trophy hunting initiatives. The licensing system introduced by the government with the help of IUCN, WWF and other stakeholders allows wildlife populations to be effectively monitored. Compared with the random and indiscriminate slaughter carried out by poachers, selective culling by hunters is leading to a healthy and balanced population and prevents one species flourishing to the detriment of another.
The locally formed committees and organizations have contributed at their level best to materialize the paper plans prepared by IUCN and WWF. KVO (Khunjrab Village Organization) is considered the role model in trophy hunting and conservancy related effort.  
Trophy hunting initiative is attracting handsome numbers of tourists, but the vague definition and propagation about Northern Areas on national and international media has discouraged number of potential hunters and visitors.  

The locals of Gojal Valley has now agreed and recognized wildlife as a precious resource, the local community has wisely managed their natural resources with result oriented plans. The effort towards conservation has benefited the local tourism industry not in big amount but the effort has a long lasting impact. Through this, Gojal Valley  has got an additional USP to attract tourists, especially those who believe in responsible tourism acivity. Some guideline has been setup for the visitors which are available online and in printed form. These little developments has been streamlined the efforts related to tourism. It also helps to resolve the conflicting interests of human and animal populations. It is in those countries where sport hunting does not take place that the wildlife is at greatest risk