SHAWAK, Afghanistan, March 19 (Xinhua) -- As the global community prepares to observe International Forest Day, emphasizing the fight against climate change and the promotion of environmental protection, Afghans are also taking steps to join this cause by expanding forestry in their war-torn country.
Hajji Masoom Jan is among the thousands of Afghans advocating for forest development and conservation. He urges his fellow citizens to plant saplings and safeguard forests across Afghanistan.
"This forest is extremely important. It provides livelihoods for the people here, benefits the local community, and makes the climate more pleasant," said 55-year-old Masoom Jan, gesturing toward the pine nut trees in the nearby forest.
Relying on income from selling pine nuts, Masoom Jan considers forests -- especially pine nut trees -- a vital economic resource for local residents.
He said expanding forests not only boosts the annual earnings of Afghan families, but also helps protect the environment in a country prone to natural disasters.
Nestled in the eastern Khost province, Shawak district is naturally rich in pine nut forests.
A native of neighboring Paktia province, Masoom Jan moved to Shawak district in search of a better livelihood. As the sole provider for his 11-member family, he revealed that each household can earn between 150,000 and 300,000 afghanis annually (1 U.S. dollar equals 71 afghanis) through pine nut sales.
"Thank God, the forest has a 100 percent positive impact on people's living conditions. It keeps the environment clean," said Masoom Jan, who earns around 150,000 afghanis (approximately 2,112 dollars) per year.
"I urge everyone -- my brothers and countrymen -- not to cut down trees. Forests keep the environment clean and contribute to national development," he pleaded.
Echoing this sentiment, another Afghan, Sayedullah, underscored the importance of forest conservation.
"Forests play a crucial role in our lives. We use wood to keep our homes warm in winter, and we earn our livelihood by selling pine nuts -- it's highly profitable," observed 30-year-old Sayedullah, the primary provider for his 12-member family.
Sayedullah owns 1,500 acres of forest and, along with other residents of Shawak district, is deeply committed to protecting the woodlands, ensuring no trees are illegally felled.
"Everyone in Shawak district depends on the forests for their livelihood. Selling pine nuts is our main source of income," he said, adding that he personally earns between 250,000 and 300,000 afghanis annually.
Like much of Afghanistan's infrastructure, the country's forests have suffered extensive damage due to over four decades of war and unrest.
Since taking power in August 2021, however, Afghan interim government has been making efforts to restore and expand the nation's forests.
"In the past two years, we have allocated a total of 100 million afghanis from domestic revenue for forestry development. We have restored forests and pastures across 100,000 hectares of land, with a focus on pine nut, pistachio, and walnut trees," said Mawlawi Abdul Ahad Khalil, general director of natural resources at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Currently, forests cover approximately 2.8 percent of Afghanistan's land, and the government remains committed to expanding green spaces and restoring pastures.
"This year, we plan to plant 16 million saplings in collaboration with partner organizations as part of our forestry expansion efforts. Our long-term strategy, starting from the Persian year 1404 (March 21, 2025), aims to plant 160 million saplings over the next decade, covering 200,000 hectares of land across the country," Khalil said. ■
