Abdul Mubariz, a community member in Yakawlang district, looks after planted tree cuttings. ©FAO/Habiba Mahdawi

The establishment of woodlots and tree plantations improve sustainable land management in central Afghanistan

Rangeland degradation is an issue of growing global concern, including for Afghanistan. Bamyan province, in central Afghanistan, has become one of the country’s epicentres for rangeland degradation due to high levels of grazing and the increasing encroachment of invasive shrubs and woody species. A mutli-year FAO project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has shown that degradation can be reversed.

Bamyan has been historically known for its rangelands and highlands. However, large-scale rangeland degradation has become an increasing problem for both herders and other community members.  The province’s mountainous topography make the rangelands a valuable resource, particularly for people grazing livestock but also for crop production and agroforestry. The rangelands are, therefore, vital for livelihoods and food security, which is why FAO has worked with local communities and other stakeholders to identify ways of protecting rangelands and reversing degradation where possible. 

Rehabilitating degraded rangeland

To address the growing problem of rangeland degradation in Bamyan province, FAO began working with a range of stakeholders to rehabilitate 6 710.5 ha of degraded rangeland (more than 67 square kilometers) in July 2019 thanks to funding provided by the GEF. By July 2021, the project had achieved significant milestones.

The project focusses on two main sets of activities: restoring rangeland health, in particular through increased fodder production and the introduction of locally-adapted tree varieties to reduce erosion, and increase household incomes.  Over half a million plant cuttings (willow, poplar and bamboo species) have been cultivated on 140.5 ha of land across Yakawland and Punjab districts of Bamyan, 1 600 kg of alfalfa seeds ideally suited to rainfed areas have been cultivated on 190 ha of degraded rangeland and 5 000 red chief apple saplings were planted on 20 ha of land to improve agroforestry.

“Rangeland is the best source of fodder for livestock and needs to be managed sustainably.  Sustainable fodder production in rangeland areas helps fix soil, reducing potential flood damage and erosion, thereby, ensuring that communities and their animals can benefit for years to come.  Similarly, conserving locally-adapted plants and shrubs in the rangeland helps absorb water for groundwater reserves,” said Richard Trenchard, FAO Representative in Afghanistan. “Women play a vital role in the livestock sector in Afghanistan, often unremunerated” Trenchard added. “We are pleased that this work will provide direct benefits to women, as well as communities in general.”

Afghanistan is one of the world’s lowest carbon emitters but is also one of the countries most at risk of climate change.  Sustainable land management and tree plantation help mitigate climate change impacts (and provides a pathway for long-term adaptation). Sustainable land management, tree plantation and awareness raising are key mitigation measures for countries such as Afghanistan, which is why the technical support of FAO, funded through the GEF is so important, as it seeks to protect vital natural resources and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. 

The benefits of sustainable tree production are clear to communities. “Cuttings and tree plantation are good alternative options for fuelwood for our houses and cooking food. Rangeland degradation can be reduced while natural bushes and plants are not excessively used. If alternative options are available, people will stop over-using rangeland plants and bushes,” says Khalil, a community member in Yakawlang district.

Community-based natural resources management

The project also supported the establishment of seven Rangeland Management Associations (RMAs) in two districts of Bamyan in collaboration with a range of key stakeholders.  The project invested heavily in capacity development training for members of these RMAs and community members in general to help them develop community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) plans. The plans will enable communities to manage their natural resources sustainably.

The people in Baghalak village, north of Yakawlang district, initially thought that community rangelands weren’t suitable for tree plantation and woodlot establishment, but the project helped them appreciate the range of benefits associated with sustainable rangeland management. “We didn’t know the value of trees and woodlots until we received the training from FAO. We now understand how to sustainably manage the natural resources and how to develop feasible plans” explained Joma Khan, a CBNRM training participant.

In addition, the project has also led to 1 800 ha of rangeland being kept free from grazing in order to accelerate restoration whilst another 4560 ha of land has been prepared for rotational grazing.