Markhor's population up in KP, Balochistan

The population of Markhor, the national animal of Pakistan, has increased significantly from 1,944 to 2,057 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 2,200 to 3,000 in Balochistan. This was revealed by representatives of these provinces in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan.
Representatives of both the provinces said that survey for exact population of the Markhor in their territories was still under way while Balochistan complained that it lacked resources for the survey.
Pakistan's national animal, which is included in list of the endangered animals, was found in Chitral and Targhur areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces respectively.
Senator Mushahidullah Khan highlighted during the meeting that provinces must submit written report to the federal government about population of Markhor on the basis of report. The Ministry of Climate Change will highlight its case in CITIES Conference to increase trophy hunting quota. He also highlighted, "We have no issue of captive breeding of parrot species but they must be managed through legal system."
Speaker Balochistan Assembly Raheela Durrani told the meeting that army had helped protect the population of Markhor in Balochistan. She also suggested providing trainings to officers from Balochistan in wildlife department which was agreed by the participants.
The representative of Sindh Wildlife Department informed, "We have started process of certification of parrots' breeders in Sindh."
The representative of Punjab also informed that they issued trading license to breeders and now they are under tax net.
It was also informed by the Inspector General Forest that European Union had also put condition of certificate on export of any product made from Sheesham. So it was also decided to nominate focal persons from forest department for flora export and certification issues. It was also told that three-year tenure of private members in CITIES Management Authority also ended and new members will be selected.
Later, the first meeting of Houbara Bustard and Migratory Birds Endowment Fund was held and it agreed that accounting procedures will be decided by members and the members would come up with recommendations in the next meeting. Members also authorized the federal minister for climate change to nominate two private members.