FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): The governor of northeastern Badakhshan province says illegal mining of azure did not take place last year following creation of a public protection unit.
Governor Mohammad Zakaria Soda in an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News said that illegal mining, especially of lapis lazuli in the province, had been a major challenge.
He said three months ago, the government created the unit to prevent illegal and unprofessional extraction at lapis lazuli mines in Karan wa Menjan district.
He said the protective unit had been successful in preventing powerful men from illegal digging in addition to repulsing Taliban attacks . . .
