Afghanistan Establishes First National Park
In celebration of Earth Day, on April 22 Afghanistan announced the establishment of its first national park, Band-e-Amir. The park is located in the central province of Bamiyan and includes six spectacular deep blue lakes separated by natural dams made of a mineral deposit known as travertine.
The U.S.-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to identify and delineate the park's boundaries, hire and train local rangers and conduct a wildlife survey. According to the survey, the park "still contains ibex (a species of wild goat) and urial (a type of wild sheep), along with wolves, foxes, smaller mammals, and fish. It is also home to various bird species, including the Afghan snow finch, believed to be the only bird found exclusively in Afghanistan."
Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency; the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock; and the Band-e-Amir Protected Area Committee will collectively manage the new park.
Long a destination for Afghans and tourists alike, the park - known as Afghanistan's Grand Canyon - has again started attracting visitors after years of conflict and violence kept them away.
Afghan officials state that the establishment of the park will help the region attract international tourism and obtain World Heritage Status.
Related News: New Park for Afghanistan (WCS)
Afghans Get First National Park (BBC)
Afghanistan Declares First National Park (ABC)
Afghanistan's Stunning Lakes Thirst for Tourism (AFP)
