Planet Action Afghanistan

Planet Action Project for the Reconnaissance of the Ajar – Band-i-Amir Conservation Corridor and Continuation of the Eastern Forest Complex forest cover assessment

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Afghanistan Program is currently working with the Government of Afghanistan to establish a Protected Areas system and strengthen the management of key areas for conservation of biodiversity. The Program is undertaking long term projects on the ground, focusing first on two areas, the Band-i-Amir lakes and the Ajar Valley, Bamyian Province, Central Afghanistan.  These areas have been selected as having the greatest potential to start conservation of mammal and bird species of national and global significance in Afghanistan, in addition to containing spectacular landscape features and wilderness.

While these two sites are truly key sites for conservation initiatives, WCS surveys have found that large, iconic wildlife such as Ibex and Urial have been decimated in recent years and today barely survive within or nearby the proposed boundaries of both sites. However, during May 2007, consultations were undertaken with the communities of the Ajar Valley and Band-i-Amir. During the discussions, Google Earth images were shown to the villagers and information gathered on remaining presence of wildlife. In the village of Khakdow, at the extreme northern end of the Band-i-Amir watershed, locals reported that Ibex and Urial still exist in some numbers in two parallel valleys to the north. The map attached shows these valleys and their strategic position as corridor between Band-i-Amir and Ajar Valley. The western valley is called Haftadkotal and the eastern one Dare Zirk. The east-west connection to the north is called Qolatu. The entire length of the valley circuit is about 65 km. These valleys may well constitute source populations for the return of these two flagship species to the target areas themselves – but only if they are adequately protected.

Assuming these valleys do harbor significant populations of ungulates and other wildlife, several conservation opportunities would arise. Only about 55 km separate the centers of the proposed Ajar Valley Wildlife Reserve and Band-i-Amir National Park. The Haftadkotal/Dare Zirk area could be protected as a corridor connecting Ajar and Band-i-Amir, allowing the flow of wildlife north-south and ultimately leading to the recolonization of Band-i-Amir by Urial, and the gradual restoration of the fauna of the proposed Band-i-Amir National Park. Alternatively, Band-i-Amir and Ajar could be joined into one large protected area with multiple land-use zones across the larger area.

So far, there is little first-hand information on the human use of the area. An earlier EU-funded reconnaissance survey suggested that the wholesale collection of Artemisia bushes for fuel is a serious problem, which could affect soils, wildlife, and ultimately human livelihood long-term. A time-series remote sensing study of the region could greatly help to determine levels and patterns of use.

Meanwhile, separately, WCS Afghanistan is also conducting an updated forest cover assessment for the co-called Eastern Forest Complex, Eastern Afghanistan, truly the last remaining forest complex in the country, made of mixed Deciduous and Conifer tree species. This habitat is rich in biodiversity, including historical populations of Snow Leopard, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Himalayan Lynx, Leopard Cat, Wild Cat, Pallas’ Cat, Striped Hyena, Marten sp., Asiatic Black Bear, Siberian Ibex, Markhor, Urial. WCS surveys, the first to be conducted there in 30 years, have already confirmed the continued presence of Snow Leopards, as well as Leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, Red Fox, Jackals, Wolves, Markhor and Crested Porcupine. Sadly, this forest complex is under grave threat of degradation and destruction, at a face pace. A recent study has shown that up to 66% of the timber is exported to Pakistan where price is US$ 85 per beam (against US$ 50 in Afghanistan), mainly of Deodar Cedar, and Juniper sp.

No one has so far conducted a thorough forest cover assessment since the restoration of democracy and (relative) peace in the country. However, in this case, its location in the sensitive and conflict-prone border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan makes monitoring of deforestation and wildlife challenging. Hence, WCS aims at conducting remotely a forest cover change detection exercise for the core area of the complex (Central Nuristan).