Paktia elders ban forest cutting, hunting of wild animals

GAREZ (Pajhwok): Tribal leaders in some districts of southeastern Paktia province have banned cutting of trees to increase forest cover and hunting of wild animals.

Mirzaka, Zazai Aryub, Janikhel and Ahmadkhel are the districts where mountains are covered with forests.

Haji Noor Mohammad, a tribal elder from Mirzaka district, told Pajhwok that tribal elders during a meeting had decided that no one was allowed to cut down forest trees or hunt wild animals in the mountains.

He said according to the tribal agreement, if anyone was seen cutting the forest, he would be fined 10,000 afghanis for each tree.

The elder said they had shared the agreement with the government and they would protect the forests in cooperation with the government.

Akbar Gul, a tribal elder from Ahmadkhel district, also said no one could cut forest trees under tribal agreements.

He told Pajhwok: "No one can cut down forest trees or hunt wild animals and birds in Ahmadkhel district according to the tribal decision." Gul urged the government to provide employment opportunities to the people living in forested areas.

Maulvi Mohammad Ismail Mansour, Mirzaka district chief, said he had encouraged tribal elders and people to prevent deforestation in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, cutting down trees, extracting natural plants, hunting and trading wild animals and birds is a crime.

Paktia Agriculture Department welcomed the decision of the tribal elders and termed it key to protecting the forests.

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