Moratorium on Marco Polo sheep hunting moratorium impedes implementation of ecological programs in GBAO, local official says

02.02.2009 08:45

Author: Shonavruz Afzalshoyev


DUSHANBE, February 2, 2009, Asia-Plus -- A two-year moratorium on hunting Marco Polo sheep introduced by the Tajik government on January 1 , 2009 is impeding implementation of the ecological programs in Gorno Badakhshan, deputy head of the GBAO directorate for environmental protection, Farhod Mamadnazarbekov, told reporters in Khorog on January 29.

According to him, hunting for this rare sheep has been the main source of revenues of the directorate, supporting local environmental protection projects. Due to the moratorium, the issue of financing of the environmental protection activities in the region this year still remains unsolved, Mamadnazarbekov said.

The environmental official noted that 1.6 million somoni were transferred to the public purse from hunting Marco Polo sheep last year. Of this amount, 200,000 somoni went to supporting implementation of the environmental protection projects in Gorno Badakhshan. These funds have allowed purchasing fodders for wild animals, compensating the cost of coal for residents of the Murgab district, as well as organizing a number of other biotechnical activities, developing fishery development support projects, laying out new gardens and so forth, Mamadnazarbekov said.

The two-year moratorium on hinting Marco Polo sheep and other rare animals in Eastern Pamir (Murgab district in Gorno Badakhshan) is dedicated to protect fauna of the region. According to experts, fauna of the region has seriously suffered from both legal hunting and poaching over the past two decades.

However, fauna may suffer from decreasing biotechnical activities as well, the environmental official said. “Last year, the government allocated 310,000 somoni for these activities and we hope that the committee for environmental protection will provide necessary funds this year as well,” Mamadnazarbekov said.

During the press conference, it was noted that last year, hunters paid 40,000 somoni per one Marco Polo sheep and 320 somoni per one Asiatic ibex (also known Siberian ibex).

Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii) is a subspecies of sheep, specifically of Argali, that takes its name from famed explorer Marco Polo, who described the species during his crossing of Afghanistan (ancient Mount Imeon) in 1271. The Marco Polo sheep is particularly known for its long horns. The longest horn ever found on a sheep was found on a Marco Polo sheep and measured 191 centimeters.

The Marco Polo sheep is endangered. According to official data, it now numbers 10,000-12000 in the Murgab district.

Protection for Giant Wild Sheep Angers Tajik Hunters

By Shahoda Saipnazarova

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 31, 2009 (ENS) - A two-year moratorium on hunting the arkhar, or argali, an increasingly rare species of giant wild sheep found in the mountains of Tajikistan, has angered hunters in the remote Tajik region of Badakhshan.

Imposed January 1 by the Tajik government, the ban will result in the killing of more, not fewer, arkhar, say critics, including a hunter in Murghab who did not want to be named.

"Look at South Africa, it flourishes because of hunting tourism," he said. "They don't have a ban, and [hunting] companies breed animals as well as conserving them, so they have a value as trophies."


Also called Marco Polo sheep, Ovis ammon polii, the species takes this name from Venetian explorer Marco Polo who described the animals during his crossing of Afghanistan in 1271.

The arkhar is a giant among sheep. The largest animals weigh in at 200 kilograms, with curving horns that can extend for two meters.

Sport hunters who want trophies of the world's largest sheep are willing to pay a high price for such a trophy. Revenue is raised on tourism and expedition costs to hunting camps located at 12,000 to 13,500 feet, helping local peoples by providing an important source of currency.

Environmental expert Alikhon Latifi says hunting firms in Tajikistan contribute a lot to the local economy through investment and job creation and are developing sustainable tourism.

"This ill-thought-out, unjustified hunting ban could prompt these firms to leave," he said, adding that if the legitimate companies go, "their place will be filled by poachers."

"Secondly, anyone who has a firearm will start shooting arkhar without any controls," Latifi continued. "It's no secret that there are a lot of weapons in Badakhshan. Not all the arms left over from the [1992-97 civil] war have been seized yet. I believe we'll lose significant numbers of arkhar in a matter of years."

But Firuza Abdurahimova of the Nature Protection Volunteers, a nongovernmental organization, is against trophy hunting.

She says that "because the arkhar is listed as an endangered species internationally, there should be no killing at least until an accurate estimate is made of the number of animals living in Tajikistan and a quota can be established."

The species is listed as Vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because it is believed to be in significant decline.

Argali is also on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which lists species that may not now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. CITES permits are required for trade in this species or its parts.

According to Tajik official data, there are some 12,000 Marco Polo sheep in Badakhshan, Radio Free Europe reported in January.

An argali census in 2008 by U.S. zoologist George Schaller of the Wildlife Conservation Society was unable to determine a reliable population estimate for Tajikistan.

The census, conducted in the Pamir Mountains, where the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Kunlun ranges meet, attempted to estimate numbers of Marco Polo sheep in four range states - Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Schaller wrote, "Hunting for meat has decimated the Marco Polo sheep populations in all four countries but with better protection they appear to be on the increase in China. Transboundary cooperation is essential if the species is to be adequately protected and managed as argali readily cross international borders, and a four-country Pamir Peace Park has been proposed and is under discussion."

{Institute for War and Peace Reporting contributed to this report.}

Couldn't they wait just one more year???

quote:

Environmental expert Alikhon Latifi says hunting firms in Tajikistan contribute a lot to the local economy through investment and job creation and are developing sustainable tourism.
"This ill-thought-out, unjustified hunting ban could prompt these firms to leave," he said, adding that if the legitimate companies go, "their place will be filled by poachers."
"Secondly, anyone who has a firearm will start shooting arkhar without any controls," Latifi continued. "It's no secret that there are a lot of weapons in Badakhshan. Not all the arms left over from the [1992-97 civil] war have been seized yet. I believe we'll lose significant numbers of arkhar in a matter of years."

Alikhon posts good comment, I would like to add there is a possibility for opening of Marco Polo hunt next year. It is just speculative moratorium.

Emil,

I really hope that Marco Polo sheep hunting will occur this year. We have several friends who are booked and ready to go.

Please post if you hear anything on this situation.

Thank you.