The Hidden Emeralds Of Afghanistan: Discovering Nature's Sanctuaries

Afghanistan is facing a severe environmental crisis, with the country's once-pristine natural environment suffering from the devastating impacts of decades of conflict, violence, drought, earthquakes, unsustainable management practices, and climate change. The country is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events such as droughts, storms, avalanches, and earthquakes.

While Afghanistan itself contributes very little to global warming in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, it is one of the most vulnerable nations to its impacts, ranked 179 out of 185 countries. The effects of climate change are exacerbated by political, geographic, and social factors, including the country's long history of conflict and instability.

One of the most pressing environmental issues in Afghanistan is deforestation, driven by illegal logging, population growth, and agricultural practices. The loss of forests has far-reaching consequences, including soil erosion, increased risk of flooding, and a decline in biodiversity. In addition, the country is facing water scarcity, with drought conditions affecting more than 50% of the population and contributing to food insecurity, malnutrition, and disease.

Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to address the environmental issues in Afghanistan. The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) monitors environmental issues and works to protect and restore the country's natural resources. Initiatives such as the Green Unit, a military unit dedicated to preventing deforestation, and national tree plantation day on March 10, aim to preserve and restore the country's green spaces.

Afghanistan's forests are under threat from illegal logging, which has reduced ecosystems to a fraction of their former selves

The illegal timber trade has been a crucial income source for groups vying for power in eastern Afghanistan, including the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Illegally harvested wood is often smuggled into Pakistan, which provides a consistent market for Afghan smugglers. Despite the Taliban's ban on logging and the creation of the "`Green Unit`" to protect forests, little has changed on the ground. Communities in these valleys are increasingly desperate for income amid dire economic circumstances, and loggers themselves often have no alternative income.

The situation is further exacerbated by the role of local government officials and Afghans connected to the military in the illegal timber trade. Local criminal networks, funded by the timber trade, hold immense power over local officials, bribing or threatening anyone who tries to restrict their business. Additionally, the very people empowered to protect the forests, such as the local communities, have a strong economic incentive to cut them down. As a result, Afghanistan's forest cover has decreased by about 50% over the past three decades, according to the United Nations Environmental Program.

The consequences of deforestation are severe, with flooding, erosion, and forest fires increasing across eastern Afghanistan. The loss of trees also removes a vital natural protection against the destructive effects of heavy rain and flooding, leading to landslides and placing homes and villages in danger. Furthermore, deforestation contributes to the country's environmental crisis, including unrelenting land and pasture degradation.

To address the issue, the Afghan government has launched projects to repair the damage and plans to increase forest areas. Reforestation projects have been undertaken, and the government is working with local communities to prevent further deforestation. However, the government's efforts are hampered by limited control over large swaths of land and the ongoing insecurity in the country.

The country is highly vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with the country already experiencing rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

Rising Temperatures

Afghanistan has experienced a significant increase in temperatures over the past few decades, with a temperature rise of 1.8°C between 1950 and 2010, twice the global average. This upward trend in temperatures has serious consequences, as global warming affects the water cycle, intensifies extreme events such as floods, droughts, glacier melt, and storms, and leads to a rise in sea levels. The continuous movement of water in the atmosphere, from vapour to liquid and solid phases, is called the water cycle. Warmer temperatures also impact the snowmelt that provides water to rivers during the summer.

Changing Precipitation Patterns

Changing precipitation patterns, including erratic rains and rapid changes in snowfall amounts and timing, are severely affecting water sources for many areas in Afghanistan. The mean annual temperature rose by 0.6°C between 1960 and 2008 and by a further 1.2°C between 2009 and 2016, intensifying glacier and snow melt. As a result, major water sources for many areas, such as the Helmand and Farah rivers, have been significantly impacted, leading to water scarcity and drought conditions.

Extreme Weather Events

Afghanistan is among the top ten countries experiencing extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, including droughts, storms, avalanches, and earthquakes. The country is highly vulnerable to these events due to its geography, sensitivity to changing weather patterns, and inadequate infrastructure. Extreme weather events have severe impacts on livelihoods and infrastructure, with flash floods, for example, destroying crops, homes, and taking lives.

The combination of rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events poses a significant threat to Afghanistan's ongoing efforts to combat poverty, reduce food insecurity, and sustainably manage its natural resources. Addressing the impacts of climate change and adapting to the changing environment are crucial for the country's short-term humanitarian situation and long-term developmental challenges.

Afghanistan is facing severe droughts, with changes in rain and snow patterns eroding livelihood practices and causing food insecurity

Afghanistan is facing its worst drought in 30 years, with changes in rain and snow patterns severely impacting livelihood practices and causing food insecurity. The country has experienced below-normal rainfall since October 2020, affecting both rain-fed and irrigated agriculture and livestock, as well as water availability for drinking, washing, and sanitation. As a result, the country is facing a severe food insecurity situation, with around 11 million people experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.

The drought has been exacerbated by the impacts of conflict, COVID-19, high food prices, and unemployment. It has also led to displacement within communities, as families are forced to migrate in search of water and livelihood opportunities. The lack of rain and snow has also created ideal conditions for water-borne diseases such as cholera and has contributed to poverty, as farming becomes increasingly difficult.

Changes in precipitation patterns have had significant effects on Afghanistan's major rivers, which originate in the central highlands. Erratic rains and rapid changes in snowfall amounts and timing have significantly impacted water sources for many areas, leading to recurrent droughts and depletion of groundwater levels. This has further exacerbated the water scarcity issue, affecting both surface water sources and groundwater resources.

The impact of the drought has been compounded by deforestation and land degradation, with communities struggling due to reduced incomes and the loss of livestock and livelihoods. Desertification, affecting over 75% of the total land area in the northern, western, and southern regions, has also played a role in reducing vegetation cover and accelerating land degradation.

The convergence of these factors has resulted in a decline in livestock and crop production, forcing people to adopt negative coping strategies such as child marriage and child labour. The situation has been further worsened by the effects of four decades of war, leaving half of the population in acute hunger.

To address the food insecurity and environmental crisis, aid agencies have provided assistance to millions of people. However, the impact of climate change has been underestimated, and immediate action is required to protect the population, especially vulnerable groups such as female-headed families and internally displaced people. There is a need for support in coping with shrinking productive capacity and reinforcing adaptive and livelihood capacities.

The country's mineral wealth could potentially finance a transition to a carbon-neutral future

Afghanistan is believed to be sitting on one of the richest troves of minerals in the world, with an estimated value of $1-3 trillion. The country has vast reserves of gold, platinum, silver, copper, iron, chromite, lithium, uranium, aluminium, and rare earth elements. It is also a source of high-quality emeralds, rubies, sapphires, turquoise, and lapis lazuli.

However, extracting Afghanistan's mineral wealth in a carbon-neutral fashion is challenging. The extractive industries are known for their negative environmental impact, contributing to biodiversity loss and carbon emissions. Additionally, the mining sector faces issues such as worker safety, pollution, and conflict over valuable resources. Furthermore, transitioning to a clean energy future requires minerals like copper, zinc, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, which can be obtained through mining.

To address these challenges, initiatives like the World Bank's Climate Smart Mining aim to promote renewable energy, prevent deforestation, and encourage sustainable land-use strategies and mineral reuse. Afghanistan also has the potential to form an Organization of Mineral-Exporting Countries (OMEC), a cartel that could impose carbon-reducing restrictions on the extraction industry. By regulating mineral extraction, OMEC could help turn Afghanistan into the mineral equivalent of a Gulf State.

While Afghanistan's mineral wealth presents opportunities, it also comes with risks. Without robust policies and a comprehensive strategic approach, the country's mineral resources could become a "resource curse," leading to conflicts and civil war. Proper management of mineral resources is crucial for sustainable economic growth and lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Environmental issues in Afghanistan are monitored by the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA)

Afghanistan faces a range of environmental issues, from the remnants of war to water and resource conflicts, corruption, and climate change. The country's environmental governance has been hampered by ongoing insecurity, but efforts are being made to address these challenges.

The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is Afghanistan's environmental policy-making and regulatory institution, established in 2005. NEPA's role is to regulate, coordinate, monitor, and enforce environmental laws. The agency has been working to address the urgent needs of Afghanistan's climate-affected population and has emphasised the need for $850 million to deal with the impact of climate change on the country.

NEPA's efforts include advocating for Afghanistan's stance on climate change, expediting financial aid processes from global climate finance mechanisms, and submitting Afghanistan's National Determined Contribution (NDC) in accordance with the Paris Agreement. NEPA has also worked to prevent the smuggling of animals and birds, with the acting head of NEPA, Aziz Rahman, stating that the agency prevented the smuggling of 493 birds and wild animals.

In addition, NEPA has examined and provided air filters to over 14,000 facilities, and imposed restrictions on cutting down trees and hunting nationwide. The agency has also formed a comprehensive plan to address sewage issues, in coordination with relevant ministries.

NEPA's work is crucial in addressing Afghanistan's environmental challenges and protecting the country's natural resources.

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