In Tajikistan’s highland regions, community-managed trophy hunting programs have helped reverse wildlife decline and foster rural development. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, wildlife like the Asiatic ibex and markhor suffered steep population losses due to poaching and habitat degradation. In response, community conservancies were established beginning in 2008, placing wildlife stewardship in the hands of local hunters who combined indigenous knowledge with modern conservation techniques.
Under these programs, hunting is tightly regulated with scientific quotas. Revenue from ibex and markhor hunts—sometimes reaching $78,000 per animal—is reinvested into schools, clinics, clean energy, and local infrastructure, while also funding anti-poaching efforts and employment for rangers, guides, and administrators. This model has created hundreds of jobs and indirectly supports 20,000 people.
Former poachers now protect wildlife, and women increasingly serve as monitors and guides. Wildlife populations, especially markhor and snow leopards, have rebounded significantly. While challenges remain—such as governance gaps and transparency issues—Tajikistan’s model shows how sustainable, community-led hunting can drive conservation and socio-economic resilience in remote regions.
