Tajikistan wins global conservation awards for protecting Marco Polo sheep
Tajik hunting enterprise honored by Safari Club International for boosting endangered species
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — A Tajik hunting enterprise has received international acclaim for its role in wildlife conservation, winning three awards at the 38th annual convention of Safari Club International (SCI), held from June 6 to 8 in Milano Marittima, Italy.
According to Asia Plus, Bars — a company operating in the Eastern Pamirs since 1989 — was honored for its achievements in trophy hunting, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable wildlife management. One of its most celebrated contributions has been the recovery of the Marco Polo sheep population, a species once severely threatened in the region.
Qaraqul Sohibqulov, head of the Bars enterprise, said the awards reflect not only the organization’s efforts but also Tajikistan’s national progress in conservation. “Our recent survey with the International Union for Conservation of Nature revealed a population of 30,000 Marco Polo sheep in the Eastern Pamirs. This is an excellent result,” he said.
The number marks a dramatic turnaround from the late 1980s, when uncontrolled poaching and lack of oversight had pushed the species to the brink.
Bars attributes the rebound to strict hunting quotas, scientific monitoring, and revenue-sharing models that reinvest license fees into local conservation and community development.
Under Tajikistan’s approach, both local and foreign hunters must acquire licenses to hunt rare species like the Marco Polo sheep and morkhor.
Funds collected are channeled into state wildlife agencies and used for habitat protection, population tracking, and infrastructure improvements in remote mountain areas.
International scientists have described the model as “absolutely outstanding,” citing its mix of ecological integrity and local participation.
“These awards are not just a win for us—they’re a recognition of Tajikistan’s ethical and professional standing in global conservation,” Sohibqulov noted. “They offer opportunities to attract investment into sustainable tourism, wildlife research, and mountain community development.”
Safari Club International, founded in 1971 in the United States, is one of the world’s largest conservation and hunting advocacy groups, with members in over 100 countries.
While often associated with trophy hunting, SCI funds dozens of conservation projects globally and plays an active role in scientific and policy discussions through partnerships with organizations like IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
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