biodiversity conservation and management programm in Afghanistan

This week I learnd a lot about the biodiversity conservation and management programm in Afghanistan.
Abdul Wajid Adil „develped and implemented a WWF-sponsored community based conservation management programme in the capacity of executive director of the Socity for Afghanistan Volunteer Environmentalists (SAVE). SAVE is the only environmental independent entity functioning in the country.“

Befor this Programm no rules ever existed to limit hunting and abuse of natural resources.

Abdul Wajid Adil told about the impacts of the programm:
• „Some people now think that the natural resources including the wildlife are finite and they cannot be perpetual unless they are closely protected and preserved.
• Hunting pressure was reduced to a considerable degree.
• SAVE has initiated a process of enhancing the ecotourism through adoption of regulated hunting through some international organizations who will assist in attracting some hunters who can pay considerable amount of money against a very restricted hunting. Hunting can only take place after closely watching the status of the species and studying the conventions in this regard. The programme will in many ways change the way of life of people. The revenue generated through this regulated hunting can be used for establishing educational, health and communication infrastructure. This will also provide working opportunities for the local people by offering services, such as guest houses, selling of their locally made handicrafts and also working as guides for the tourists and hunters. The impacted changes can be uplifting of the economic status of the local people and better conservation of biodiversity in the area.
• Through special arrangements, hunting was banned of some of the threatened species for a while, a fine will be levied against any offending parties.
• The money charged for hunting of allowed speicies will go to the general well-being of the people.
• Environmental education will go hand in hand with the formal education. The problem of education of the area was discussed with interested parties. SAVE is facilitating submission of proposals to the interested parties.
• The area will be opened before many parties who can intervene for betterment of the life of the people here. SAVE is in contact and encourages them to work and start undertaking in the area. All these efforts may contribute in alleviation of poverty and in securing a better life here.“

For furher information click: here