About KVO
A community-based organization protecting nature and empowering people in the shadow of the Karakoram.
30+
Years of Conservation
8
Partner Villages
5,544
km² Protected Area
145K+
Annual Visitors
Our Story
About Khunjrab Villagers Organization
Khunjrab Valley lies along the Karakoram Highway, connecting Pakistan with China, and has historically been shared pastureland for local communities. In 1975, the Government of Pakistan declared the area Khunjrab National Park, covering 5,544 sq. km, to protect its wildlife and natural resources.
With support from World Wide Fund for Nature, a Joint Management Plan was developed in 1992 to promote conservation and sustainable resource use. The Khunjrab Village Organization (KVO) was established in 1993 as a community organization and registered in 2009 under the Companies Act 1984.
In 2000, an agreement with the concerned authorities formally recognized community participation in the management of Khunjrab National Park. A multi-institutional steering committee—chaired by the Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan and including IUCN, WWF, AKRSP, and KVO—was formed to oversee management. This committee later evolved into the GB Wildlife Board.
Our Purpose
Mission & Vision
Mission
To protect and sustainably manage the wildlife and natural resources of Khunjrab National Park buffer zone while empowering local communities through equitable benefit-sharing.
Vision
A thriving mountain ecosystem where communities and wildlife coexist, serving as a global model for community-led conservation and sustainable development.
Values
Community ownership, environmental stewardship, equitable development, indigenous knowledge, transparency, and self-reliance without dependency on external agencies.
History
Key Milestones
- In 1993, the Khunjrab Wildlife Conservation Project was launched with support from UNDP and GEF.
- The first Himalayan Ibex trophy hunt took place in December 1993, generating income for local communities.
- A special grant for conservation was allocated by Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, former President of Pakistan.
- To protect wildlife, a community-based check post was established along the Karakoram Highway near Sost in 1993.
- The trophy hunting program formally began in 1993, with the first Himalayan Ibex harvested by Shakeel Durrani, then Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan.
- The park entry fee system for Khunjrab National Park was also introduced in 1993 by the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Conservation
Programs & Achievements
- In 2004, a Snow Leopard Conservancy Project was launched with support from Snow Leopard Conservancy (USA). The community successfully released three snow leopards back into the wild and assisted in rescuing injured animals. One snow leopard was transferred for research to Bronx Zoo in New York City.
- In 2000, a 6 km pony track with footbridges was developed to Blue Sheep habitat at Sokhtorabad with support from AKRSP.
- Blue Sheep trophy hunting licenses were introduced in 2004. A world-record Blue Sheep was harvested in 2018, and KVO was recognized by Safari Club International (USA) in 2020.
- To improve wildlife habitat in Givejerab Valley, the community built 8 suspension bridges, 40 km of trails, and 5 equipped huts. Pastureland improvement programs—including rotational grazing and reseeding—were implemented with support from IUCN (MACP).
- Predator-proof corrals and livestock guards were introduced to protect community livestock from wildlife.
- Community development initiatives include disaster preparedness training for 46 schools in Gojal, tourist rest points in Khunjrab National Park, solar-powered drip irrigation systems in Moorkhun, and fruit and non-fruit tree plantation programs supported by PARC.
Activities
Achievements & Activities
- KVO members participated in World Park Congress in 2003 at Durban, South Africa.
- Trans Border Community Exchange program for experience sharing in wildlife conservancy.
- Valley Conservation Fund (VCF) was established in 2003 for conservation activity.
- Women Empowerment Fund (WEF) was established in 2003 for women development projects.
- Agri farming assistance to community members in 2003–2006.
- Khunjrab Pamir Culture Festival 2015.
Governance
Organizational Structure
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Board of Directors
Natural Resource Management
Educational Health & Social Welfare
Livestock & Agriculture
Finance & Planning
Information & Publication
Women Activities
Eco-Tourism
Our Community
Eight Villages, One Purpose
KVO represents the people of eight villages in Upper Gojal, Hunza District.
Ghalapan
Upper Gojal
Moorkhun
Upper Gojal
Jamalabad
Upper Gojal
Gircha
Upper Gojal
Sarteez
Upper Gojal
Nazimabad
Upper Gojal
Sost
Upper Gojal
Hussainabad
Upper Gojal