Findings from a recent survey indicate that the population of Marco Polo sheep, which had been endangered in recent years, is now increasing.

Faiz Rahman Ebrahimi, the head of the Badakhshan Environmental Protection Directorate, said that in the past, this rare animal was hunted excessively, but now its hunting has been stopped.

The Marco Polo sheep, a rare species with global fame, lives in the mountain ranges of the Wakhan and Ishkashim districts of Badakhshan province. The head of Badakhshan’s Environmental Protection

Agency, said: "A preliminary survey that took about 18 days and was conducted in the regions of Little Pamir, Big Pamir, and Wakhan shows that the population of Marco Polo sheep and other rare animals is on the rise."

The Marco Polo sheep, also known as the Marco Polo argali, lives for 16 to 18 years, and its horns grow to 60 to 70 inches. This wild animal was named after the Italian traveler Marco Polo, who visited the Pamir region of Badakhshan in 1269 AD.

Ziaul Haq Kamran, an environmental expert, said, "When the explorer Marco Polo traveled with his father from China to Afghanistan in 1269 AD, he encountered the Marco Polo sheep in the Pamir region and registered it under his name. Since then, this animal has become famous by that name."

The residents of Badakhshan believe that the presence of wildlife, especially the Marco Polo sheep, has had a positive effect on increasing tourism in the Pamirs.

Bik Mohammad Ahmadi, a resident of Badakhshan, said, "We request the authorities to prevent the ruthless hunting of wildlife, as the existence of wildlife has attracted tourists to Badakhshan."

Shahpoor Faizi, another resident of Badakhshan, said, "Our request to the Islamic Emirate is to stop illegal hunting."

The Wakhan Corridor was declared the country's second national park by the previous government in 2014, and according to information from the Badakhshan Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 30 rare species of wildlife and more than 270 species of birds live in this area.