Zubair Qureshi
In order to conserve and protect the population of the national animal of Pakistan, Markhor (screw-horned goats) and their habitats in the country, Pakistan Post in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund, (WWF) Pakistan issued postage stamps on Friday showcasing Kashmir Markhor.
These stamps were released during the launching ceremony organized at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences building. According to experts, the Kashmir Markhor in Pakistan faces numerous conditions which jeopardize its survival. The major threats to the Markhor population include habitat loss, agricultural expansion, illegal hunting, climate change, and infrastructure development.
These threats have led to a drastic decline in Markhor population across its habitat range. Considering multiple challenges to the Markhor population, experts call for comprehensive conservation efforts to protect and preserve this iconic species.
This national animal is a large wild goat species native to South Asia and Central Asia, mainly existing in Pakistan, India, the Karakoram Range, parts of Afghanistan, and the Himalayas.
Since 2015, it has been classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Often based on their horn configuration, Markhor has been divided into five sub-species namely Astor Markhor, BukharanMarkhor, Kabul Markhor, Kashmir Markhor, and Suleiman Markhor.
HammadNaqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan while speaking on the occasion said the postage stamp not only celebrated the existence of Kashmir Markhor but also highlighted the need for concerted conservation efforts to safeguard their future. This initiative also aimed at drawing attention to the species threatened status and the pressing need for habitat preservation and anti-poaching measures.
