Islamabad -UNS: The International Day of the Markhor is being observed across the world today to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and the protection of fragile mountain ecosystems.
The United Nations General Assembly officially declared May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor through a resolution adopted in 2024. Led by Pakistan and supported by several countries, the initiative aims to promote conservation of the endangered markhor and its natural habitat.
This year’s theme, “Markhor and Mountain Biodiversity: Strengthening Global Efforts for Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Development,” emphasizes the importance of preserving biodiversity in mountainous regions.
Known for its distinctive spiral horns, the markhor is the national animal of Pakistan and is found in mountainous areas of Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
In Pakistan, several subspecies including the Astor, Kashmir and Suleiman markhor are mainly found in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Conservation experts warn that the species still faces threats such as habitat destruction, illegal hunting, poaching and climate change. However, community-based conservation programmes in Pakistan have contributed to a steady recovery in markhor populations through wildlife protection initiatives and regulated trophy hunting policies.
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QUETTA -UNS:At least 14 people, including three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, were martyred and several others injured in a powerful blast near a railway track close to Chaman Phatak in Quetta on Sunday, according to the Government of Balochistan. Several women and children were among the injured and were shifted […]
