The Jungles Of Afghanistan: Unveiling A Hidden Landscape

Afghanistan is one of the world's most mountainous countries, and most of the country is too high for trees to grow. However, the country does have some wooded areas, particularly in the north, where precipitation is more abundant, and in the east, where the climate is influenced by the monsoons. The East Afghan montane conifer forests ecoregion, which spans from the Eastern Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan to the centre north of Pakistan, is covered by coniferous and deciduous trees. The forest type is mostly determined by altitude zones. At lower altitudes, dry coniferous forests are found, where Holm Oak and Chilgoza pine are dominant. At higher altitudes, the monsoon rains are continuous, and temperate deciduous Deodar cedar trees dominate. The forest may become dense and include Morinda spruce, Bhutan pine, and Himalayan cedar. The protection of these forests is a priority, with threats including illegal and unsustainable logging, overgrazing by livestock, and expanding agriculture and human settlements.

The East Afghan Montane Conifer Forests ecoregion

The soil in the northern area is gravel and organic matter over a clay substrate. In the south, the bedrock is limestone. The climate of the ecoregion is a Humid continental climate, warm summer (Köppen climate classification (Dfb)). This climate is characterised by large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over 10 °C (50 °F), but no month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F). The average precipitation in the ecoregion is 200-400 mm/year, with an average temperature of 9.2°C, with an average maximum of 28.2°C and an average minimum of -11.4°C. The prevailing climate is cold semi-arid.

Only about 40% of the ecoregion is covered in vegetation, generally shrubs, herbaceous cover, and open forest. The forest type is mostly determined by altitude zones. From 2,100-2,500 meters elevation the forest is drier, with Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana), holly oak (Quercus baloot), species of the beech family (Fagaceae), and cedar (Cedrus). Understory at this stage features Indigofera gerardiana (a legume) and Danewort (Sambucus ebulus). From 2,500-3,100 meters, the rains from the monsoon are picked up and more deciduous trees are found among the conifers. This forest may become dense, and includes Morinda spruce (Picea smithiana), Bhutan pine (Pinus wallichiana), Quercus semecarpifolia, and Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara). Above 3,100 meters the forest transitions to more juniper (Juniperus seravschanica).

The ecoregion supports the near-threatened Markhor (Capra falconeri chiltanensis), known as the Screw-horned goat, the national animal of Pakistan. The forests of the ecoregion have been heavily thinned for timber. About 9% of the ecoregion is officially protected. These protected areas include Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park, Sasnamana Wildlife Sanctuary, Zawarkhan Game Reserve, and Nuristan National Park. The park in Nuristan Province, the northernmost sector of the ecoregion, was declared a National Park of Afghanistan in July 2020.

The impact of illegal logging

Afghanistan's forests are under dire threat from illegal logging, which has far-reaching economic, social, and environmental consequences.

Economic Impacts

Illegal logging results in significant financial losses for governments due to lost revenue from taxes, duties, and corruption. It distorts markets by pushing down the price of timber, creating unfair competition and hindering efforts to implement sustainable forest management. 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).

Social Impacts

Illegal logging undermines respect for the rule of law and is often associated with corruption, negatively impacting the legitimate rights of concession holders. It can also result in a lack of recognition of the land and resource use rights of forest-dwelling communities, affecting their livelihoods and leading to conflicts over resource use and tenure. Additionally, it can fund national and regional armed conflicts.

Environmental Impacts

Illegal logging contributes to forest degradation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to global climate change. It can also result in soil erosion, increased flooding, and landslides, posing threats to human life and infrastructure. The loss of certain tree species also impacts the stability and productivity of forests, as they provide structural support, habitat, and seed sources.

The impacts of illegal logging are not limited to Afghanistan but have global ramifications, affecting climates and ecosystems worldwide.

The Taliban's ban on the timber trade

Afghanistan's forests have been a casualty of timber smuggling for decades. In 2002, Afghanistan's then-president Hamid Karzai banned logging across the country. However, the government struggled to enforce the ban due to the remoteness of the communities where logging was taking place, a lack of resources, and corruption among local officials. Despite the ban, illegal logging continued unabated, with local communities and officials often complicit in the trade.

In August 2021, shortly after retaking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban announced a ban on the timber trade. A Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated that cutting down forests, as well as selling or transporting timber, would be strictly prohibited. The Taliban also announced the creation of the "Green Unit," a special military unit tasked with protecting Afghanistan's forests from illegal logging.

However, there are doubts about the Taliban's ability or intention to enforce the ban. The group has a history of profiting from illegal logging and other natural resource exploitation, such as mining and drug production. Additionally, the "Green Unit" has yet to materialize in the areas it is supposed to protect. Some observers believe that the Taliban's ban on logging is primarily a way for the group to exert control over the flow of money from the timber trade rather than a sincere environmental protection effort.

The ban on the timber trade has had mixed effects. On the one hand, it has disrupted the logging industry and may have led to a decrease in deforestation. On the other hand, it has also driven up the price of timber, making it even more lucrative for smugglers and contributing to widespread poverty among those who depend on the trade for their livelihood.

The future of Afghanistan's forests remains uncertain. While the Taliban has taken some steps to protect them, the country continues to face economic and political instability, and the "Green Unit" has yet to become active. Additionally, other militant groups, such as the Islamic State, have been exploiting the timber trade to fund their activities, further complicating enforcement efforts.

The role of forests in the ecosystem

Forests play a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth and are essential for the well-being of both people and the planet. Covering around one-third of the Earth's land surface, they provide a multitude of benefits that contribute to the health of the planet and support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.

Habitat and Biodiversity

Forests are home to an incredible array of plant, animal, and insect species, with over 80% of terrestrial biodiversity found in forest ecosystems. The complex interdependence of life within forests means that the loss of even one element can disrupt the entire ecosystem. From orangutans and ants to endangered birds and insects, forests provide habitats and nourishment for a diverse range of species.

Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration

Forests are a natural defense against climate change, acting as carbon sinks that absorb and store carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. They play a vital role in removing carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away, preventing the planet from warming to more extreme temperatures. Additionally, forests generate oxygen through photosynthesis, purifying the atmosphere and helping to control rising temperatures.

Soil Conservation and Erosion Prevention

Forests play a crucial role in soil conservation and erosion prevention. The dense network of roots holds the soil in place, preventing landslides and reducing the force of rainfall on the soil surface. They also enrich and conserve the soil by replenishing nutrients and creating rich topsoil, which is essential for plant growth and agriculture.

Water Cycle and Filtration

Forests are integral to the global water cycle, influencing rainfall patterns through a process called transpiration. Trees absorb water through their roots and release it as water vapor from their leaves, contributing to the formation of clouds and subsequent rainfall. Additionally, forests act as water filters, collecting and storing water while also recharging underground aquifers.

Economic Opportunities and Resources

Forests provide essential resources and economic opportunities for millions of people. Timber, fuel, food, and medicines derived from forests support local communities and industries. Ecotourism, trekking guides, and forest rangers are just a few examples of the diverse range of jobs that depend on forests and their resources.

Recreation and Well-being

Forests offer recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, and exploration, promoting healthy and active lifestyles. They also provide spiritual and cultural value, serving as venues for cultural events and ceremonies and holding symbolic significance in various traditions. Spending time in forests has been shown to have positive effects on mental and physical health, including improved cardiovascular health and mental well-being.

The variety of wildlife in Afghanistan's forests

Afghanistan is known for its diverse wildlife, despite the country being largely in the grip of desertification. The eastern province of Nuristan is a green oasis, with tree-covered mountains and lush valleys. The neighbouring province of Kunar is similar, and both are home to some of the region's densest, oldest, and most ecologically diverse forests.

The East Afghan montane conifer forests ecoregion covers a series of unconnected conifer forests along the border with Pakistan, at elevations of 2,000 to 3,400 metres above sea level. The forest type is determined by altitude: from 2,100 to 2,500 metres, the forest is drier, with Holm Oak and Chilgoza pine dominant. Above 2,500 metres, the forest becomes denser, with deciduous Deodar cedar trees, Himalayan spruce, and fir prevailing.

The wildlife in these forests is varied. Large mammals, such as tigers, have disappeared, but there is still a great variety of wild animals roaming the mountains and foothills, including wolves, foxes, striped hyenas, jackals, gazelles, wild dogs, and wild cats such as snow leopards. Wild goats, including the markhor and the ibex, can be found in the mountains, and brown bears are found in the forests. Smaller animals, such as mongooses, moles, shrews, hedgehogs, and bats, may be found in the many isolated, sparsely populated areas.

Birds of prey, including vultures and eagles, are common in Afghanistan. Migratory birds are also abundant during the spring and fall seasons. Pheasant, quail, cranes, pelicans, snipe, partridge, and crows are also found in the forests.

The lakes of the northern sectors of the East Afghan montane conifer forests ecoregion support a wide variety of migratory and breeding birds, including rails, pochards, coots, marsh hens, and black-necked grebes.

The forests of Afghanistan are also home to several endangered species, including the Balochistan Forest dormouse, the white-rumped vulture, the sociable lapwing, the steppe eagle, the saker falcon, the Kashmir vulture, and Pallas's fish-eagle. The vulnerable Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, and Kashmir musk deer are also found in these forests.

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