Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025; 2nd Annual Day
Sponsor: United Nations
Objectives:
The International Day of Markhor is observed annually for the following purposes:
- Foster Conservation of the Markhor: Recognize the importance of and promote the conservation of the Markhor, an endangered “near threatened” species of wild mountain goat in Central and South Asia, along with its natural habitat.
- Reaffirm the Value of Wildlife: Emphasize the intrinsic value of wildlife and its various contributions, including ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic contributions to sustainable development and human well-being.
- Address Biodiversity Decline: Highlight the urgent need to address the unprecedented global decline in biodiversity by preventing the extinction of threatened species, improving and sustaining their conservation status, and restoring and safeguarding ecosystems.
Inception:
The first International Day of Markhor was observed on 24th May 2024.
History:
On 2 May 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/78/278 at its 78th session, proclaiming 24 May the International Day of the Markhor, to be observed annually. The resolution was proposed by Pakistan and eight other countries.
Background:
The markhor (Capra falconeri) is an iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia, including Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It is the national animal of Pakistan and is known for its long, corkscrew-shaped horns, which can grow up to 63 inches. The markhor is adapted to mountainous terrain, ranging from 600 to 3,600 meters in elevation, with open woodlands, scrublands, and light forests.
The markhor faces challenges such as habitat loss, illegal hunting, and the impacts of climate change. Since 1992, it has been included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In 2014, the markhor was categorized as “near threatened” and it is currently listed on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The global population of mature markhor individuals is approximately 5,700.
Official website:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/markhor-day
