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Afghanistan loses 34% of its forests in the last 15 years
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations says that the wars and crises of the past 40 years have had a very negative impact on forests in Afghanistan.
On the occasion of March 21, the International Forest Protection Day, FAO said on X on Wednesday that, Afghanistan has 1.78 million hectares of forests and woodlands.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, by publishing an informative video, said that in the last 15 years alone, Afghanistan has lost 34% of its forests.
For many years, arbitrary cutting of forests has continued in Afghanistan and the governments have not been able to stop it.
Since 2013, March 21 has become the International Forest Protection Day so that the people of the world are aware of its importance.
This is despite the fact that two years ago, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said in a tweet that according to the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, it is strictly forbidden to cut forests, sell the wood and transport it.
Also, two years ago, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced the formation of a unit to protect the forests of Afghanistan.
This unit of 450 people is called “Green Unit” and it was formed in order to prevent illegal cutting of forests and the smuggling of wood.
According to the IEA there are 100 members of this unit in Kabul and 50 people in each of the other seven provinces – Kunar, Nuristan, Khost, Laghman, Paktia, Paktika and Nangarhar – that have forests and woodlands.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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