Nimroz residents demand end to ruthless deforestation

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): The residents of southwestern Nimroz province have demanded an end to deforestation in the province while environment officials said steps had been taken to stop deforestation.
Amanullah Mahmoodi, the resident of Chaharburjak district, told Pajhwok Afghan News greenery in southwestern Nimroz province affected by drought during recent years.
“Dry weather and 120-day winds in Nimroz have destroyed the nature of the province, some forests are remaining, which are also cut down and destroyed by people, and the trees are used as firewood.
Khalil Khwaja, a resident of Kang district who has a firewood shop, said he understood that forests were on the verge of eradication but still he cut off trees and sell them due to poverty and unemployment.
“I loaded Rakshaw three times in a week from the forest and sell the wood to the people,” he said.
He asked the government to generate job opportunities to the people in order to protect the environment and greenery.
Faisal Wahidi, an environmental affairs expert, said: “The existence of forests in Nimroz is very important; Because it is necessary to prevent land erosion, prevent drought and air pollution, restore the ecosystem of the region, prevent the migration of native birds and animals from the region and prevent its extinction.”
He stressed deforestation in the province and said there has not been a detailed survey of the forests in Nimroz province and it ascertained how much of the land area of Nimroz has been covered with forest but most districts have forests.
Nimroz Environmental Affairs Director Mawlavi Habibullah Mazhari said after the takeover of the Islamic Emirate deforestation had been stopped nationwide.
Lately, meetings had been conducted with officials in Kang and Chahar Burjak districts and deforestation in these districts were stressed.
“Forests mostly situated in the Chahar Burjak, Chakhansur and Khashrud district and most of them affected during late drought and famine but government efforts for the revival of forest and greenery were underway,” he said.
He termed the public role vital in the protection of forests and called on the residents of Nimroz to play their role in the protection of forests.