Illegal tree-cutting occurring along Highway

KABUL (Tolo News): Unknown armed men have cut down over 400 trees alongside the Kunduz-Khanabad highway in northern Afghanistan, said Hashmatullah Jalili, the head of the Kunduz environment protection department.

He said that the trees covered over 12 square kilometers on both sides of the highway. “Over the past two days, irresponsible men have cut large numbers of trees on both sides of Kunduz-Khanabad highway in a very brutal way,” said Jalili. “Unknown individuals have cut these trees. It poses major devastation to the people and the environment,” said Omar Kunduzi, a university lecturer.

“Cutting the forests poses serious threats to the people. The government needs to address this issue so that we can avoid such moves in other provinces,” said Abdullah Qazi, a media activist. “Where was the government during these days?” asked one civil society activist Habiba Gulistani. According to the Kunduz environmental department, there are some rumors that the trees were cut down by the Taliban. But the Taliban so far have not made a comment.