Afghanistan losing its wildlife to war, poaching and climate change

At least 149 species of animal are in danger of disappearing from Afghanistan, Afghan officials said Saturday.

According to the officials, war, climate change, animal-trafficking, and illegal hunting are the main cause of loss of wildlife in the country.

Marking International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22, Ezatullah Sediqi Deputy Head for the National Environmental Protection Agency of Afghanistan, stated: “Different species of animals are living in Afghanistan. Climate change, smuggling, hunting, and war have endangered the wildlife and plants in Afghanistan.”

The officials, however, did not provide details on exactly what species this relates to in Afghanistan.

An estimated 1.9 million hectares of forest covers Afghanistan which is a natural shelter for various species of animals. But Afghan officials noted that ongoing conflicts in the country remained the main challenge for animals that are at risk of extinction domestically.

Experts, meanwhile, criticize the National Environmental Protection Agency for the lack of information about the exact number of animals at risk and the lack of a clear policy for the protection of wildlife in the country.

Qasim Haidari, a Deputy Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) official stated: “Every bullet fired and explosions that occurred have made most of the birds migrate to other countries.”

In addition to the war, Afghan officials stated that deforestation in the country has remained another issue ahead of wildlife protection.