Afghanistan’s forests have shrunk dramatically due to decades of illegal logging by armed groups, with only 10% of tree cover remaining in some areas. The Taliban government has launched a "Green Force" to combat deforestation.

Kunar

Afghanistan's forests have experienced significant decline, with only about 10% of tree cover remaining in some regions due to prolonged illegal logging by armed groups and local gangs. The difficult terrain and years of conflict have made it challenging to monitor and prevent deforestation, leading to widespread loss of forested areas.

In response, the Taliban government has created a 'Green Force' tasked with enforcing anti-logging laws, confiscating illegally felled timber, and arresting offenders. The government is also working to revive Afghanistan's flora and fauna through conservation efforts, including planting saplings and integrating environmental protection into religious teachings. Despite these initiatives, economic hardship continues to drive some residents to rely on wood for fuel, highlighting the connection between environmental recovery and broader economic stability.

Taliban's Green Force battles illegal logging in Afghanistan's forests

Many green forests in rural Afghanistan look like this now. The remote forested areas were at the mercy of local criminal networks because of conflict and limited government resources. Bismillah Jaan remembers a major shift in forest cover. I'm 45 years old and my ancestors have lived here for generations. As far as I can remember, only 10% of the forests remain. There are very few trees now, very few. You couldn't see the surface of the mountain here, and now it's all dry. There's no forest. It's gone. The rugged terrain makes it difficult to monitor illegal activity, and that means militias and local gangs have been chopping up generations-old trees. Now, in many affected provinces, the Taliban government has formed a green force to crack down on illegal logging. Whoever cuts trees is considered a criminal. We bring the timber here and criminals are handed over to police. In the last seven months, we've confiscated 7,000 feet of felled wood, which was going to be smuggled. Since 2002, there's been a nationwide ban on deforestation in Afghanistan. But enforcement was riddled with corruption and criminalized local practices. The ban on cutting down trees and hunting wildlife was in place before the Taliban takeover. This government says that it will implement this ban by clamping down on corruption and undue influence, and it hopes that this will result in a revival of Afghanistan's flora and fauna. The National Environment Protection Authority says it's prevented the smuggling of various animals and birds. They're using awareness programs to reduce hunting and illegal activities against wildlife. In Kunnar and Nangarhar, the decades of conflict took a toll not just on humans, but on all living things. Officials say a safe environment where trees aren't being chopped and bombs not being dropped means many species are now returning or regenerating in their natural habitats. The forest of Kunnar was usually bombed by the Americans, so not only humans but animals migrated. Even the birds couldn't stay. We have formed volunteer councils in the mountains, and if someone is seen cutting trees, the council informs us. Then the Green Force goes and arrests those criminals, and the cut trees are confiscated. In conservation efforts, saplings are being planted in areas affected by years of devastation. The Taliban's integration of environmental issues into religious discourse is helping. Imams are being asked to preach about protecting the environment as a religious duty. But people still need to chop wood to cook and stay warm. In impoverished Afghanistan, an environmental turnaround also hinges on an economic revival. From Amjabit Andazira, Bengal Forest, Kunnar, Afghanistan.

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Anaconda

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