Unit established in Kunduz to prevent illegal tree felling

KUNDUZ (Pajhwok): A unit of forest guards has been established and deployed in northern Kunduz province to prevent illegal cutting of trees, an official said on Tuesday.

Local officials say no one will be allowed to chop down trees in the forests.

Residents welcomed the creation of the forest guards’ unit and asked the officials concerned to punish tree choppers.

MawlawiAmanullahHassan, Kunduz Agriculture and Livestock director, told Pajhwok Afghan News the unit was tasked with preventing illegal cutting of forests’ trees.

“Chopping forest trees for timber was a business in the past and high ranking officials were involved in that business, the Islamic Emirate has established this unit to guard forests”, Hassan said.

“Fruitless trees grow on the banks of Amu River near the bordering areas which are important for the beauty of these areas”, Hassan added.

“In additional to guarding forests trees, we will prevent the hunting of rare birds and animals”, said Qari Bakhtiar Moaz, Kunduz police chief.

WahidullahKarwan, a resident of Kunduz, said: “The forests are national wealth and have different benefits, they filter the air, we all must protect them”.

aw/ma