The Forests Of Afghanistan: A Natural Treasure Amidst A Fragile Landscape

Afghanistan does have forests, but they are sparse and located mainly in the eastern and northern parts of the country, where the climate is influenced by the monsoons. The East Afghan montane conifer forests ecoregion covers a series of unconnected forests along the border with Pakistan, at elevations of 2,000 to 3,400 meters above sea level. The forest type is mostly determined by altitude, with dry coniferous forests at lower altitudes and deciduous Deodar cedar trees at higher altitudes. The Nuristan and Kunar provinces in eastern Afghanistan are home to some of the region's densest, oldest, and most ecologically diverse forests. However, these forests have faced severe threats from illegal and unsustainable logging, with the forest cover in Nuristan reduced by more than 50% between 1977 and 2002.

The East Afghan Montane Conifer Forests ecoregion is home to endangered species such as the white-rumped vulture and the sociable lapwing

Afghanistan is a country in Central Asia with a varied topography, from vast plains to mountainous regions with great rivers flowing through its numerous landscapes. Its natural resources are rich and varied, ranging from coal, oil, and gas to precious stones and rare earth elements. The country features a collection of forests, woodlands, and deserts. The biodiversity of flora and fauna is seen as a livelihood resource for the majority of the Afghan population.

The East Afghan Montane Conifer Forests ecoregion is a series of unconnected forests along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, at elevations of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) to 3,400 metres (11,200 ft) above sea level. The ecoregion is known for its coniferous and deciduous trees, including pines, firs, cedars, cypresses, spruce, juniper, pine, yew, and redwood. The forest type varies with altitude, with drier forests at lower altitudes and denser forests at higher altitudes due to increased rainfall from the monsoon. The East Afghan Montane Conifer Forests ecoregion is home to a variety of endangered and vulnerable species, including the white-rumped vulture and the sociable lapwing.

The white-rumped vulture (*Gyps bengalensis*) is a large bird of prey that is critically endangered. It is found in the East Afghan Montane Conifer Forests ecoregion, particularly in the northern areas that intersect with the proposed Nuristan National Park. The species is also found in other parts of Asia, including India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia. The white-rumped vulture is a scavenger and feeds mainly on carcasses of dead animals. It has a bald head and neck, with dark brown to black upper parts and a pale brown ruff.

The sociable lapwing (*Vanellus gregarius*) is another critically endangered bird species found in the East Afghan Montane Conifer Forests ecoregion. It is a wading bird that breeds in the steppes of southern Russia and Ukraine and winters in the Middle East and South Asia, including Afghanistan. The sociable lapwing has a black crown, white supercilium, and yellow wattles. It feeds on insects and other small invertebrates.

The East Afghan Montane Conifer Forests ecoregion is not only home to these endangered bird species but also to other vulnerable and critically endangered species, such as the Balochistan Forest dormouse, the steppe eagle, the saker falcon, the Kashmir vulture, and Pallas's fish-eagle. The ecoregion also supports the near-threatened Markhor (*Capra falconeri chiltanensis*), known as the Screw-horned goat, which is the national animal of Pakistan.

The forests of Afghanistan are under threat from illegal logging, which has reduced ecosystems to shadows of their former selves

Afghanistan's forests are under threat from illegal logging, which has reduced ecosystems to shadows of their former selves. The country's woodlands, already rare and majestic, are struggling to shake the echoes of war, desperation, and poverty. The eastern province of Nuristan, a green oasis in a country largely in the grip of desertification, is a prime example of this. With its tree-covered mountains and clear rivers winding through lush, narrow valleys, Nuristan is home to some of the region's densest, oldest, and most ecologically diverse forests.

However, during the past few decades, relentless and mostly illegal logging has taken a heavy toll. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) reported that between 1977 and 2002, the forest cover in Nuristan's neighboring province of Kunar had shrunk by nearly 30%. The situation in Nuristan was even worse, with a 53% reduction in forest cover. This has had a devastating impact on the province's wildlife, with excessive tree felling damaging the natural habitats of many bird and animal species.

The illegal timber trade has been a crucial income source for multiple groups vying for power in eastern Afghanistan, including the Taliban and, more recently, 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 the timber trade and the creation of the "Green Unit" to protect Afghanistan's forests, there is little evidence of effective enforcement on the ground.

The complex web of competing needs makes the situation challenging. Loggers, many of whom are poor laborers with no alternative income, face a difficult choice between feeding their families and destroying their environment. The economic uncertainty in Afghanistan further exacerbates this dilemma, with well-paying jobs hard to come by. The deep green pine and cedar forests are often the only real resource available to communities, who rely on them for livelihood and building materials.

The combination of logging and climate change has led to increased erosion, flooding, and forest fires across eastern Afghanistan. The effects of deforestation are becoming increasingly apparent, with disastrous flooding striking areas like Nuristan in 2021 and 2022, causing loss of life, destruction of businesses, and damage to agricultural land.

While the Afghan government has recognized the environmental damage caused by deforestation and launched projects to repair the harm, enforcement remains a challenge due to limited control over large swaths of land and the involvement of local government officials and military personnel in the illegal timber trade.

The country's woodlands are also affected by erosion, flooding, and forest fires

Afghanistan's woodlands are under threat from erosion, flooding, and forest fires. The country's forests, already diminished by illegal logging, are essential for preventing topsoil erosion and sustaining good air quality. However, deforestation has left the country vulnerable to natural disasters.

The sparse vegetation cover and mountainous terrain of Afghanistan contribute to rapid rainwater runoff, leading to flooding and erosion. The removal of trees has left the soil exposed and unable to absorb rainwater, resulting in cascading torrents of water that quickly erode hillsides and endanger homes and villages. In 2021, flash floods in the northeastern district of Kamdesh destroyed hundreds of lives, businesses, mosques, bridges, agricultural land, and fruit trees. The following year, flash floods struck again, killing hundreds and damaging thousands of homes across the country.

The loss of trees has also exacerbated the impact of drought, with barren land unable to hold water from heavy rains and snowmelt, resulting in flash floods. Afghanistan's challenging environmental conditions, including frequent droughts, have led to accelerated land degradation, desertification, and displacement. More than half of the country's area is now vulnerable to desertification.

Forest fires are another threat to the country's woodlands. War and conflict have caused numerous uncontrolled forest fires, with battles and the Taliban's "scorched earth" tactics destroying thousands of trees. The combined effects of logging and climate change are taking a toll on Afghanistan's forests, and the country may struggle to restore its forest cover without peace and stability.

The future of Afghanistan's woodlands hangs in the balance, with competing needs and priorities at play. While the Taliban has announced a ban on the timber trade and the creation of a "Green Unit" to protect forests, there is scepticism about their commitment to addressing deforestation and environmental issues. The complex interplay between economic needs, environmental protection, and political instability continues to shape the fate of Afghanistan's woodlands.

The Taliban has banned the timber trade and created a Green Unit to protect Afghanistan's forests

Afghanistan's forests are a casualty of timber smuggling. Over the past three decades, the country's forest cover has decreased by about 50%, to just about 2% of the country's land. The main reason is the illegal harvesting and trade of timber.

In 2017, the Taliban stated that planting trees was an Islamic obligation and urged the people of Afghanistan to "plant one or several fruit or non-fruit trees for the beautification of Earth and the benefit of almighty Allah’s creations."

Just weeks after ousting the U.S.-backed Islamic Republic of Afghanistan government from Kabul in August 2021, the Taliban announced a ban on the timber trade. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid issued a tweet stating that cutting down forests, as well as selling or transporting timber, would be strictly prohibited.

Then, in December 2021, Taliban officials announced the creation of the "Green Unit," a special military unit tasked solely with protecting Afghanistan's forests from illegal logging.

Despite the rhetoric, the Taliban has taken few practical steps to address deforestation. Members of the proposed Green Unit have yet to materialize in the areas they are tasked with protecting. When asked about the status of these efforts, a spokesperson for the Taliban's Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) said the unit was "under process."

The Taliban's ban on the timber trade and creation of the Green Unit are positive steps toward protecting Afghanistan's forests. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, as illegal logging and smuggling continue to pose a significant challenge.

The Nuristan province in Afghanistan is known for its majestic forests and clear rivers

Nuristan is a green oasis in a country where desertification is prevalent, with tree-covered mountains and clear rivers flowing through lush, narrow valleys. The province is home to some of the densest, oldest, and most ecologically diverse forests in the region. The East Afghan montane conifer forests ecoregion covers a series of unconnected conifer forests along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, at elevations of 2,000 to 3,400 meters above sea level. The forest type varies with altitude, with drier forests of Chilgoza pine, holly oak, beech, and cedar at lower elevations, and denser forests of spruce, Bhutan pine, Himalayan cedar, and juniper at higher elevations.

The Nuristan province is also known for its rivers, including the Alingar, Pech, Landai Sin, and Kunar rivers. These rivers provide water for agriculture and animal husbandry, which are the primary occupations of the Nuristani people. The Landai Sin River, also known as the Bashgal River, rises in the Hindu Kush range near the Mandol Pass and is fed by glaciers and snow. The Pech and Waygal valleys are also important bird areas, home to migratory and breeding birds such as rails, coots, marsh hens, and black-necked grebes.

Despite its natural beauty and biodiversity, Nuristan has suffered from inaccessibility, lack of infrastructure, and conflict. The province has been a site of heavy guerrilla fighting during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s and the more recent Taliban offensive in 2021. The lack of roads and difficult terrain make transportation a challenge, and the province is often inaccessible during the winter months. The educational sector in Nuristan is weak, with few professional teachers, and the province has a low literacy rate. Additionally, illegal and unsustainable logging has reduced the forest cover in Nuristan by more than 50% since the 1970s, posing a threat to the region's biodiversity and the livelihoods of its inhabitants.

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