Healthy forests provide many environmental benefits, as they prevent soil erosion, decrease air pollution and greenhouse gasses, and act as windbreak barriers to protect crops.  In Afghanistan, where forests have suffered as a result of war and unsustainable cutting for firewood and building materials, replanting is essential to improving environmental conditions such as air and soil quality.  To help restore Afghanistan’s forests, USAID, in cooperation with regional departments of agriculture, has planted millions of trees throughout Afghanistan as part of a program to provide sustainable alternatives to poppy production. 

On March 4, USAID planted 1,248,000 trees in Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nuristan, adding to the nearly eight million trees that had already been planted.  The campaign was successful due to the participation of 1,552 local families, who planted saplings such as eucalyptus, poplar, shisham, and lucina.  All of the saplings were produced locally in 14 nurseries – including four women-owned nurseries – throughout the region.  Ultimately, the trees will result in more fertile, productive land, enabling eastern Afghanistan’s farmers to grow profitable, licit food crops – as well as to enjoy the health benefits of cleaner air.

“This campaign to plant more than a million forest trees is exceptional for the region,” said horticulture expert Amanullah Atal.  “Working together with the government, we are proud to build a greener region that will have benefits for years to come, and that shows our commitment to a more productive and environmentally sustainable future for Afghanistan."