Tree felling by electric saws are decimating forests in many provinces. The central government is unveiling a new programme to restore the country’s green cover.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has a plan that will offset the problems to the economy and agriculture caused by global warming.
The three-year strategy would be implemented from next year. There are hopes that it forests and pasture lands for livestock would regrow. “Many of our countrymen would get jobs and natural resources that have vital value would be protected,” according to a statement issued by the ministry.
Meanwhile, from Kunar to Paktia forests are vanishing. A look at some provinces starting with Khost:
Bostan Walizai, a civil society activist in Khost says, “Earlier the smugglers used to cut the forests manually but now they are using electrical saws so that they can cut fast.”
Kabeljan Bedarn, another activist from the province, believes the forests may be wiped out unless steps are taken by the government to stop the felling. “The government has no programme to protect the forests,” he says.
A week ago, Hokom Khan Habibi, governor of Khost, expressed concern about the destruction of forests. “We have arrested 11 tree smugglers in Spera and Tani districts borders; they had three loaded trucks and equipment for cutting trees,” he says. Habibi says the government will work with people to save their joint wealth. “I call upon all the people – this natural wealth is the right of all citizens, it should not be wasted and we should not spare any efforts in this regard.”
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock implemented a sapling project to plant pine nut trees valued at 11 million Afs (165,200 USD) in Khost province but it failed.
Kunar
Densely-forested Kunar has also been the target of wood smugglers. Zabihullah Sahebulhaq, head of youths’ council in Damkalai village says, “The mafia of forests is working in Kunar province since three decades – cutting trees with electric saws and the government has not been able to prevent it.”
Azizullah, a resident of Dangam district, accuses the government of being a “friend” of the smugglers. “If the government was not friend with them, it would be impossible that they could cut and smuggle forest trees,” he says.
Colonel Shah Mahmood Khan, tribal leader, makes the same allegation. “When they (government) speak in meetings about solving the crisis, they see themselves as representatives of people, speaking in public interest, but when it comes to practice they don’t act since the fact is that they themselves have a hand in cutting of forests,” says Col Khan.
Kunar Governor Wahidullah Kalimzai agrees the forests are being cut in some of the insecure areas but he says that he is trying to prevent tree felling and smuggling. He urges people to assist the government. “We are trying to stop the forest cutters according to our ability; they commit treason and should be punished. But I also ask the help of people of Kunar to help us in countering smuggling,” he says.
Many people think teams of youth should be assigned to protect forests. Shazada, a tribal leader in Manogai district, says forests are a rich natural resource, and no one should be permitted to destroy the wealth. “The government cannot do anything so we ourselves have decided to protect the forests,” he says.
Nuristan
Tribes in Nuristan have decided to prevent cutting of forests and punish those who perpetrate this. Provincial authorities say the decision was taken by tribal leaders and religious authorities.
Hafez Abdul Qayoom, governor of Nuristan told the media that tribal leaders and the local government would not let anyone plunder national wealth. “Nuristan will maintain its natural beauty and the (central) government must support the people of Nuristan.”
Paktia
Some tribal leaders have threatened to “seriously” punish anyone found cutting forests. This has stopped tree felling in Chamkani, Zaziaryoob, Lajimangal and Patan districts but not to the extent expected. Everyone from youth to civil society activists, religious authorities and tribal leaders are involved in stopping tree felling in the mountainous areas. Janat Khan, a tribal leader, says that if the people are not jobless, their agreement can be implemented easily. “Most residents of Paktia are living in mountains and villages and depend on the forests for their day-to-day needs. If the government was to satisfy their needs, I don’t think they would cut the forests,” he says.
Tribal leaders wish the government would find jobs for people and have a comprehensive plan to protect the forests. The provincial department of agriculture and livestock has plans to implement projects for youth so they keep away from the smuggling trade. Zabihullah Hasan, head of the department believes it is joblessness that forces the youth into clandestine activities.
Badakhshan
The department of agriculture and livestock reported in June 2016 that planting of saplings of pistachios was going on over 100 hectares in five districts. Since 2012, hundreds of hectares of land have been planted with pistachio in an effort to reverse the destruction of forests in the past three decades of conflict. Much more has to be done by the government to protect and rehabilitate forests.
