Geo-Thermal Energy :- The development of Afghanistan regions, located at higher altitudes, where extremely cold conditions prevail, the reserves of fossil fuel are scanty. The periods for favourable climatic condition and land of lofty mountains and plateaus conducive to agricultural growth are very limited; it requires the full mobilization of natural resources and the application of new technology for food production and other uses. Things have to be stored for winter when the roads remain closed because of heavy snowfall. The very high price of fossil fuel, the high rate of electricity and the poor economic conditions have stood in the way of green house cultivation there. Their problems can be solved to a great extent through planned and co-ordinated efforts and through fruitful utilization of the region's solar and geo-thermal energy resources, which are available in plenty.
Transport and Communication :- The transport and communication system as a whole is not well developed. Due to lack of transport and communication facilities it remains the main limiting factor in the development the Afghanistan. Some important roads like Kabul-Kandahar, Kabul-Peshawar, Kabul-Herat, Herat Farah and Farah Kandahar were constructed mainly for the administrative convenience. The development of roads as a measure of social welfare is yet to take place in Afghanistan and there is no railway facility. Some good roads are in the Kabulistan, Turkistan, Helmand and Seistan, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif. More than 70% of the village are situated away from jeepable road. The density of roads is very low in all the regions of Afghanistan. The degree of accessibility is naturally very poor. The air transport is quite insignificant.
Proposed Infrastructure Facilities:- The proper development of different regions of Afghanistan depends on the provision of basic infrastructural facilities such as food, clothing, shelter, education, primary health services, roads, railway lines, air service, communication network, water and power supplies, banks, administration and national security set up, maintenance of law and order situation and other financial organisation etc. Afghanistan, which is situated on strategic position in Central Asia, requires special attention to develop the infrastructure network in different provinces. Four railway route can be constructed between -(i) Mazar-e-Sharif to Kundus and Kundus to Faizabad in Badakshan province (ii) Mazar-e-sharif to Meymaneh in Fayab Province (iii) Meymaneh to Herat and Herat to Farah in Farah provian (iv) Farah to Kandahar and Kandahar to Kabul
A border road right from the Badakhsan to Takhar, Kondoz, Balkh, Jowzjan, Faryab Badghis, Herat, Farah, Nimruz, Helmand, Kandahar, Zobal, Paktika, Paktia, Lowgar and Kabol should also be constructed for providing accessibility to the border area and its inner sphere of influence. Due to construction of road and railway routs along the international border with the Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and north and northwest Pakistan transportation facilities can be developed. There is a dire need to develop a communication network in Afghanistan. The installation of STD, ISD PCOs, e-mail and internet centre in the rural areas of different provincial headquarters to achieve a hundred per-cent communication link with villages and towns requires real high priority. There is also the need for setting up powerful T.V. transmitters at Kandahar, Farah, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Fayzabad, Kabul and Bamian.
Conclusion :- The G-8 countries, India, and China can play a greater role than other countries in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of war ravaged country. These countries can help Afghanistan in the reconstruction of shattered infrastructure, administration, road network, education, telecommunication, power, rail, airport and hospital. Priority should be given to reconstruction of the economic system, agriculture and rural development. The recovery, reconstruction and long-term development programme will span many regions of the country and range in scope from agriculture based rural development, food and seed security, the rehabilitation of capital infrastructure, to the provision and upgrading of health and education, services from the primary to the tertiary levels, institution and capacity building, especially at the community level and the restoration of cultural heritage for social inclusion. The most striking feature of the economy is its virtual dependence on a single activity - agriculture. 84% of the working force is engaged in primary production. The high pressure of population on agricultural land, lack of secondary and tertiary sectors and inadequate transport systems are the main features of the country's economy.
The strategy for development will have to be guided by the physio-economic conditions of the different region in Afghanistan. This calls for change in the land use pattern on scientifically and economically more remunerative lines and provision of electricity and adequate transport system. Of the various problems faced by Afghanistan that of soil erosion, deforestation and desertification are quite acute. If the Afghan people have to work for a bright future, the possibilities are ample. With the help of proper planning they would have a full inventory of the regional resources and to evaluate the different potentials, region by region. The different regions are endowed with vast resources of grazing land, scenic beauty, agriculture, horticulture, live-stock, minerals and above all, the sturdy and pains-taking Afghan people with rather a proud heritage.
Actually the regions of Afghanistan reflect all the problems of under-development in an acute form. The potential of resources both human and physical, have not been developed, rather they have suffered from utter neglect till 1979 when the Afghan revolution began to turn against it. Now the economy of the different regions of Afghanistan needs to be strengthened with full vigour and skilful resource planning. The development depends upon the construction of roads, schools, hospitals, setting up of hydro-electric power stations, establishment of agro-industries based on forest, horticulture and livestock, and tourism on scientific basis.
The foregoing analysis of the Afghanistan personality reveals that the country's potential resources in the form of green meadows and pastures, charming landscapes, abundant snow-fed water for power and irrigation, traditionally acquired skills for arts and crafts, and production of quality fruits and nuts are adequate enough to build a sound economic base; the fertile soils of the Kabulistan, Badakhshan and Turkistan valleys, river terraces and other parts are capable enough to produce abundant food and raw materials not only to replenish the deficiencies but also to lead to industrial development. All this would generate forces of economic growth to the advantage of the different regions as well as the country.
To conclude, it may be stated that the north, north-east, north-west, west and south-western region of Afghanisan has better potential as compated to the other mountain region. It has vast potential for agricultural mineral, natural gas and oil exploration, industrial and livestock sectors. The only need is the genuine interest, dedication and missionary spirit of Afghan people, which may materialise the suggested proposals and turn Afghanistan into a prosperous country of central and South Asia.
Acknowledgement:- Author is highly thankful to Professor A.K.Singh, Vice-Chancellor of M.L.Sukhadia University, Udaipur for providing all the facilities during the course of this study. I am indebted to Prof. K.K.Sud, Prof. R.N.Vyas, Prof. Sharad Srivastava and Dr. L.S.Rao for giving valuable comments and suggestions. Thanks are also due to Mr. Lal Singh Rathore and Mr. C.D.Ola Research Scholars for computer work.
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