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Natural resource based development plan for the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of War Ravaged Afghanistan
Strategy for different levels :-
Within Afghanistan there may be large variations in height, slope, rainfall, soil types, vegetational cover, population pressure, social system etc. Hence, it would be practical to work out the strategy for different areas at three levels; namely at the level of (i) major region on the national level, (ii) mecro region on the state or provincial level and (iii) micro region on the district and block level. Water Management:- The hills of Afghan provide sources for the origin of river channels. Hence, a scientific plan for the conservation of basin-wise available water should be formulated and implemented. Water management technology should be practised and the optimum use of available water should be made for various purposes such as water for drinking by human beings and animals, irrigation, industrial and hydro-power generation. Water collected as a result of the melting of snow-cover in winters should also be properly utilized for irrigation & hydel-power generation. Generation of Employment Opportunities :- The protection of existing resources in Afghanistan, the development of barren and wastelands, implementation of massive fruit tree plantation programme, watershed management programme, and cultivation management schemes may generate adequate employment opportunities. Water Management:- The hills of Afghan provide sources for the origin of river channels. Hence, a scientific plan for the conservation of basin-wise available water should be formulated and implemented. Water management technology should be practised and the optimum use of available water should be made for various purposes such as water for drinking by human beings and animals, irrigation, industrial and hydro-power generation. Water collected as a result of the melting of snow-cover in winters should also be properly utilized for irrigation & hydel-power generation. Hydel Power Generation:- The terrain of the Afghanistan is most suitable for hydel-power production. Afghanisthan has a larger hydel-power potential amounting to 10% of the whole of south Asia. In this country the hydel electricity power development should be given emphasis on basin-wise development like Khasu, Farah, Hari, Murghab, Kokcha, Abe-Panja, Konar and Helmand main river and its tributaries. The survey, investigation and preparation of detailed project report of the projects in the Helmand, Khash, Farah, Murghab, Kokcha, Abe-Panja and Konar river basin is being considered for the setting of new hydro power station in the war ravaged Afghanistan. For the construction of hydro-power station in the Afghanistan it requires detailed studies. With the help of remote sensing technique the suitable dam sites can be identified and on these sites reservoirs can be constructed. The water received from the melting of snow in summer, can be stored and utilized for the Hydro-Power generation. The detailed field studies can be followed by image processing technology. Selecting most suitable dam-site will require detailed studies of both surface and sub-surface structures of the dam-site area and its surrounding. These field informations can be easily integrated with remotely sensed data for the best dam site selections. Animal Husbandry: - With proper planning, animal husbandry can become an important activity in Afghanistan. Extensive pasture lands exist in the country, on which the animals may be reared for the benefit of the individuals and used for the prosperity of the people. The available best breeds of livestock including sheep, goat and horse should be preserved. The artificial insemination programme should be implemented. The health coverage programme should be extended to the extreme rural areas to protect and preserve the livestock and animal life. A network of chilling and dairy plants should be established in rural areas of the province to supplement the income of Afghan people and strengthening their life support system. Animal husbandry may play an important role in economic scenario of Afghanistan. A country that expounds in 6.83 lakh Sq. Kms. of area, of which 70% is in the form of undulating topography has survived the harshness of climatic and geographical conditions to become the only country where the local breeds of animals are in abundance. Due to production of wool, meat, leather, milk and fertilizer the over all income will increase. Schemes and services should be launched for different ethnic groups, to raise the living standards of the weaker sections. Programmes like poultry development, animal transaction facility, sheep, goat, horse and camel development are being carried on for the overall development in every sector. People from lower income levels and unemployed youth are being encouraged to pursue animal husbandry as a means of earning and living. Sheep and Goats: - Both Sheep and Goats husbandry contribute significantly to the economy of the war ravaged Afghanistan, particularly to the economy of arid and cool temperate mountain zone. Apart from utilising the waste lands, they supply man with food and material for clothing. Thus, the production of wool and meat adds to the farmer's income of Afghan peoples. Dry pastoral conditions have been found more suitable for the rearing of flocks yielding superior wool in the mountain of Afghanistan. Poultry:- In Afghanistan poultry development would give a substantial source of supplementary food for the nation, a gainful subsidiary occupation to a large section of the people and rural employment; poultry production has tremendous potentialities in Afghanistan because of :- (i) The efficiency with which the poultry 
FIG. 2 Physiography of Afghanistan Poultry : - In Afghanistan poultry development would give a substantial source of supplementary food for the nation, a gainful subsidiary occupation to a large section of the people and rural employment; poultry production has tremendous potentialities in Afghanistan because of :- (i) The efficiency with which the poultry converts food -stuffs into human food (ii) The small investment required to get it started, (iii) Its suitability as a family enterprise (iv) The small area required (v) Quick financial returns. |