From the forests of Nuristan Province to the mountains of the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan is a geographically diverse country rich in natural resources. However, local communities often lack the knowledge to manage those natural resources, protect the environment, and preserve biodiversity in their districts.
To increase local capacity for natural resources management, USAID recently held a 10-day training program for employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). During the program, participants learned how to plan and monitor natural resources management projects, and visited Qa’le-ye Quadzi village to develop a case study and apply their new knowledge. This training complements a series of initiatives to enforce environmental protection laws, provide public education on biodiversity and green practices, and strengthen the capacity of NEPA – all leading to a sustainable, healthy natural environment in Afghanistan.