Afghanistan Holds Two-Day Environmental Conference in Nangarhar

The eastern Jalalabad city is hosting a two-day conference under the title “Assessment of Afghanistan’s Environmental Situation.”

During a speech at the event, the head of the National Environmental Protection Agency stated that during past wars, foreign forces used prohibited weapons in Afghanistan, and the impacts of these weapons are still felt on the environment and the people.

Matiulhaq Khalis said: “They brought globally banned weapons and used them in Afghanistan. For example, in 2001, in the Spin Ghar area of Nangarhar, certain weapons were used. In Shinwari, the ‘Mother of All Bombs’ was deployed. These weapons did not leave our soil, air, or water unaffected. Our waters are polluted, our air is damaged, and our people’s mental health is harmed. All these have had negative effects on our environment. Even now, in many areas, we see children being born with deformities and developing various diseases as they grow.”

Although Afghanistan does not contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is among the countries severely affected by the adverse impacts of environmental pollution and climate change.

Environmental experts emphasized the need to develop a comprehensive strategy for environmental protection and highlighted the importance of public cooperation in this regard.

Environmental expert Atta-ul-Haq Bushri said: “The destruction of forests has had a severe negative impact on air pollution and has also contributed to climate warming.”

Izzatullah Siddiqui, the event organizer, said: “Opinions on various environmental topics, including energy, water, forests, biodiversity, and pollution, will be collected and a national-level report will be prepared.”

Some farmers also called on relevant authorities to not only prevent deforestation and deep well drilling but also to pay more attention to building check dams.

Jumagul, a farmer in Nangarhar, told TOLOnews: “The wells people have dug and installed solar panels on are depleting our water resources. Instead, water storage systems should be built on running water sources to solve people’s problems.”

Azizullah, another farmer from Nangarhar, said: “People cut down forests for firewood, while these forests are the beauty of our homeland, and this must be stopped.”

According to the National Environmental Protection Agency, while the target for tree planting this year was 25 million for government departments, the number of trees planted nationwide has exceeded 40 million.