National Environment Strategy

Environment Sector Strategy

Approved by: Sector Responsible Authorities

Date of Submission December 2008

ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﻴﻢ

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

By the solar year 1400 (2020), Afghanistan will be:

A stable Islamic constitutional democracy at peace with itself and its neighbors, standing with full dignity in the international family.

A tolerant, united, and pluralist nation that honors its Islamic heritage and deep aspirations toward participation, justice, and equal rights for all.

A society of hope and prosperity based on a strong, private sector-led market economy, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

ANDS Goals for 1387-1391 (2008-2013)

The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) is a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)-based plan that serves as Afghanistan’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). It is underpinned by the principles, pillars and benchmarks of the Afghanistan Compact. The pillars and goals of the ANDS are:

1. Security: Achieve nationwide stabilization, strengthen law enforcement, and improve personal security for every Afghan.

2. Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights: Strengthen democratic practice and institutions, human rights, the rule of law, delivery of public services and government accountability.

3. Economic and Social Development: Reduce poverty, ensure sustainable development through a private sector-led market economy, improve human development indicators, and make significant progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

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Foreword For the preparation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy

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In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate Six and half years ago, the people of Afghanistan and the international community joined hands to liberate Afghanistan from the grip of international terrorism and begin the journey to rebuild a nation stunned by a long past of violence, destruction and terror. We have come a long way in this shared journey. In just a few years, as a result of the partnership between Afghanistan and the international community, we were able to draw up a new, Constitution, embracing the values of democracy, freedom of speech and equal rights for women. Afghans voted in their first ever presidential elections and elected a new parliament. Close to five million Afghan refugees have returned home, making it one of the largest movement of people to their homeland in history. Thousands of schools have been built; over six million boys and girls have been enrolled, the highest level ever for Afghanistan. Hundreds of health clinics have been established boosting our basic health coverage from 9 percent six years ago to over 85 percent today. Access to diagnostic and curative services has increased from almost none in 2002 to more than forty percent now. We have rehabilitated 12,200 km of roads. Our rapid economic growth, with double digit growth almost every year, has led to higher income and better living conditions for our people. With a developing network of roads and a state-of- the-art communications infrastructure, Afghanistan is better placed to serve as an economic land-bridge in our region. These achievements would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the international community and the strong determination of the Afghan people. I hasten to point out that our achievements should not make us complacent distracting to face the enormity of the tasks that are still ahead. The threat of terrorism and the menace of narcotics are still affecting Afghanistan and the broader region and hampering our development. Our progress is still undermined by the betrayal of public trust by some functionaries of the state and uncoordinated and inefficient aid delivery mechanisms. Strengthening national and sub-national governance and rebuilding our judiciary are also among our most difficult tasks. To meet these challenges, I am pleased to present Afghanistan’s National Development Strategy (ANDS). This strategy has been completed after two years of hard work and extensive consultations around the country. As an Afghan-owned blueprint for the development of Afghanistan in all spheres of human endeavor, the ANDS will serve as our nation’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. I am confident that the ANDS will help us in achieving the Afghanistan Compact benchmarks and Millennium Development Goals. I also consider this document as our roadmap for the long-desired objective of Afghanization, as we transition towards less reliance on aid and an increase in self- sustaining economic growth. I thank the international community for their invaluable support. With this Afghan-owned strategy, I ask all of our partners to fully support our national development efforts. I am strongly encouraged to see the participation of the Afghan people and appreciate the efforts of all those in the international community and Afghan society who have contributed to the development of this strategy. Finally, I thank the members of the Oversight Committee and the ANDS Secretariat for the preparation of this document.

Hamid Karzai President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

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Message from the Oversight Committee For the preparation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy

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In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate

We are pleased to present the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, which reflects the commitment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to poverty reduction and private sector-led economic growth for a prosperous and stable Afghanistan. The ANDS Oversight Committee (OSC) was mandated by the Government to produce a Millennium Development Goals-based national strategy that is Afghan-owned and meets the requirements for a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. The OSC met on a regular basis to design, discuss and oversee the development of the strategy, including the identification of the needs and grievances of the people, and the prioritization of resource allocations and actions. To embrace ‘Afghanization” and ownership, the OSC facilitated inclusive and extensive consultations both at national and sub-national levels.

Sustained fiscal support and continuous evaluation and monitoring are essential now to meet the challenges ahead related to ANDS implementation. The democratic aspirations of the Afghan people are high, yet financial resources remain limited. While much has been accomplished since 2001, more remains to be done as we move from “Compact to Impact”. The Afghan Government with support from the international community must act decisively, strategically, and with an absolute commitment to the ANDS goals and vision.

We look forward to working with our government colleagues, civil society representatives, tribal elders and religious scholars, the private sector, the international community and, most importantly, fellow Afghans to implement the ANDS, to help realize the Afghanistan Compact benchmarks and Millennium Development Goals.

Prof. Ishaq Nadiri Ahmad Zia Masoud Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta Senior Economic Advisor to First Vice-President Minister of Foreign Affairs the President Chair, ANDS and JCMB

Dr. Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady Dr. Sarwar Danish Dr. Amin Farhang Minister of Finance Minister of Justice Minister of Commerce and Industry

Dr. Jalil Shams Dr. Zalmay Rassoul Haneef Atmar Minister of Economy National Security Advisor Minister of Education

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Acknowledgments For the preparation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy

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In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate

The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) could not have been developed without the generous contribution of many individuals and organizations. The ANDS was finalized under the guidance of the Oversight Committee, appointed by HE President Hamid Karzai and chaired by H.E. Professor Ishaq Nadiri, Senior Economic Advisor to the President and Chair of the ANDS Oversight Committee. The committee included: H.E. Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady, Minister of Finance; H.E. Jalil Shams, Minister of Economy; H.E. Sarwar Danish, Minister of Justice; H.E. Haneef Atmar, Minister of Education; H.E. Amin Farhang, Minister of Commerce; and H.E. Zalmai Rassoul, National Security Advisor. We would like to sincerely thank the First Vice-President and Chair of the Economic Council, H.E. Ahmad Zia Massoud. Special thanks are also due to H.E. Hedayat Amin Arsala, Senior Minister and H.E. Waheedulah Shahrani, Deputy Minister of Finance and the Ministry of Finance team. In addition, we would like to thank the Supreme Court, the National Assembly, Government Ministries and Agencies, Provincial Authorities, Afghan Embassies abroad, national Commissions, the Office of the President, Civil Society Organizations, and International Community. All Ministers, deputy ministers and their focal points, religious leaders, tribal elders, civil society leaders, all Ambassadors and representatives of the international community in Afghanistan; and all Afghan citizens. National and international agencies participated actively in the ANDS consultations. Their contributions, comments and suggestions strengthened the sectoral strategies, ensuring their practical implementation. Thanks are also due to the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development for their significant contributions to the subnational consultations. Special thanks are further due to the President’s Advisors, Daud Saba and Noorullah Delawari for their contributions, as well as Mahmoud Saikal for his inputs. We are also indebted to the Provincial Governors and their staff for their contributions, support and hospitality to the ANDS staff. Special thanks go to Wahidullah Waissi, ANDS/PRS Development Process Manager, for his invaluable contribution and for the efforts of his team of young Afghan professionals who dedicated themselves tirelessly to completing the I-ANDS, Afghanistan Compact and the full ANDS in consultation with both national and international partners. The Sector Coordinators included Rahatullah Naeem, Farzana Rashid Rahimi, Shakir Majeedi, Attaullah Asim, Mohammad Ismail Rahimi, Zalmai Allawdin, Hedayatullah Ashrafi, Shukria Kazemi, Saifurahman Ahmadzai, and; the Sub-National Consultations Team consisted of Mohammad Yousuf Ghaznavi, Mohammad Fahim Mehry, Shahenshah Sherzai, Hekmatullah Latifi, Sayed Rohani and Osman Fahim; and Malik Sharaf, Naim Hamdard, Saleem Alkozai, Ahmadullah Kakar, Mir Ahmad Tayeb Waizy, Sayed Shah Aminzai, Khwaga Kakar and Mohammad Kazim. Thanks to Nematullah Bizhan for his special contribution from the JCMB Secretariat. We are also indebted to the many national and international advisers who supported this effort. In particular, we would like to thank Zlatko Hurtic, Paul O’Brien, Jim Robertson, Barnett Rubin, Peter Middlebrook, Richard Ponzio, Anita Nirody, Shakti Sinha, Ashok Nigam, Christopher Alexander and Ameerah Haq. Finally, I would like to thank all who contributed towards this endeavor in preparation of the first Afghanistan National Development Strategy, a milestone in our country’s history and a national commitment towards economic growth and poverty reduction in Afghanistan.

Adib Farhadi, Director, Afghanistan National Development Strategy, and Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board Secretariat The complete list of contributors to this Sector Strategy is on the next page.

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AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) IX

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Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 CAPTER I ...... 3

SITUATIONAL CONTEXT...... 3 State of Environment...... 3 Institutional Framework and Capacity Assessment...... 6 Legislative Framework...... 8 International Regulatory Framework (MEAs)...... 9 Government Budgetary Allocations ...... 9 International Partners ...... 9 Relationship with other ANDS Cross-Cutting Issues...... 10 A. Gender...... 10 B. Regional Cooperation...... 11 C. Capacity Building and Institutional Reform...... 11 D. Counter Narcotics...... 11 E. Anti-Corruption...... 11 Most important Challenges for the National Environment Strategy...... 11 CAPTER II...... 13

MAINSTREAMING ENVIRONMENT: APPROACHES AND PRIORITIES...... 13 Strategic Vision and Goals: ...... 13 Vision ...... 13 Goals ...... 13 Priority Programme Areas for NEPA ...... 13 A. Training and Capacity Building ...... 13 B. Legal and Regulatory Frameworks ...... 13 C. Environmental Education, Awareness and Outreach...... 14 D. Environmental Information and Policy ...... 14 Priority Programme Areas, Desired Outcomes and Inputs & Outputs for Environmental Management: 15 CAPTER III...... 19

THEMATIC STRATEGIES ...... 19 Forestry and Rangeland...... 19 A. Issues ...... 19 B. Desired Outcomes ...... 19 C. Corresponding Sectors...... 20 Protected Areas and Biodiversity...... 20 D. Issues ...... 20 E. Desired Outcomes ...... 20 F. Corresponding Sector...... 20 Water and Wetlands ...... 20 A. Issues ...... 21 B. Desired Outcomes ...... 21 C. Corresponding Sectors...... 21 D. Population Growth in Kabul...... 22 E. Urban and Industrial Environmental Management...... 22 Environmental Education and Awareness ...... 22 CAPTER IV...... 25

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING ...... 25 a) Sector 1: Security...... 26 b) Sector 2: Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights...... 27 c) Sector 3: Infrastructure and Natural Resources ...... 29 d) Sector 4: Education ...... 30 e) Sector 5: Health ...... 31 f) Sector 6: Agriculture and Rural Development...... 31

g) Sector 7: Social protection...... 32 h) Sector 8: Economic Governance and Private Sector Development ...... 33

Acronyms and Abbreviations

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AC Afghanistan Compact NEPA National Environmental Protection ACC Afghan Conservation Corps Agency ADB Asian Development Bank ODS Ozone Depleting Substances ANDS Afghanistan National Development OSC Oversight Committee Strategy PA Protected Area CCCG Cross Cutting Consultative Group PAHs Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons CG Consultative Group POPs Persistent Organic Pollutants CITES Convention on International Trade in PRR Priority Reform and Restructuring Endangered Species TWG Technical Working Group CMS Convention on Migratory Species UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological EC European Commission Diversity EIA Environmental Impact Assessment UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat GEF Global Environmental Facility Desertification IPC Integrated Pollution Control UNEP United Nations Environment Programme JCMB Joint Coordination and Monitoring UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention Board on Climate Change MDG Millennium Development Goals UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services MEAs Multilateral Environmental Agreements USAID United States Agency for International Development MIWRE Ministry of Irrigation Water Resources and Environment USDA United States Department of Agriculture NAPWA National Action Plan for the Women of WB World Bank Afghanistan WCS Wildlife Conservation Society

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Executive Summary

The National Environment Strategy aims to The following goals shall be achieved: improve the quality of life of the people of Secure a clean and healthy environment Afghanistan through conservation, protection for the people of Afghanistan. and improvement of the country’s environment. Attain sustainable economic and social development while protecting the natural The Strategy uses a mainstreaming approach resource base and the environment of the to provide direction for the integration of country. environmental issues and policies into Ensure effective management of the Afghanistan’s development priorities in order country’s environment through contribute to increased economic growth and participation of all stakeholders. poverty reduction. The present National Environment Strategy focuses on two Priority Objectives and lays out six Thematic Strategies:

Priority Objectives: Environmental Governance Environmental Management Thematic Strategies: Forestry and Rangeland Protected Areas and Biodiversity Water and Wetlands Air Quality Urban and Industrial Environmental Management Environmental Education and Awareness

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INTRODUCTION

Environment is reflected twice within the should be based upon the physical and social ANDS framework. In its narrow sectoral interactions that affect the overall status of the sense, it is an Afghanistan Compact environment, including natural resources. benchmark that falls within the ambit of the Environmental governance is the foundation Natural Resources and Environment Working from which environmental management is Group (WG14–3.6) of the Infrastructure and conducted. Environmental governance is the Natural Resources Consultative Group (CG3). broad process by which institutions, policies, In its broader sense, environment is also a management and information tools and cross-cutting issue which needs to be stakeholders are coordinated to enable mainstreamed within Afghanistan’s broader environmental management. development framework. More specifically, environment must be mainstreamed in each Sound environmental governance and programme area through the development of management will help to establish the policy benchmarks to ensure that government, necessary conditions for sustainable economic donors and implementing agencies follow established norms with respect to the growth and social development. In practice incorporation of environmental considerations environmental management factors are into the design and implementation of essential considerations in all social and projects, and provide adequate oversight and economic development programmes monitoring of the environmental impacts of (returnees, health, education, trade and humanitarian and development projects. investments, mining and industry), as well as in infrastructure-related investment (such as in As a cross-cutting issue, the responsibilities for transport, energy or urban sectors). Similarly, environmental decision-making are shared sustainable resource management lies at the among different actors and different levels of core of the agriculture, water, urban policy. NEPA functions as the overall development, land, forestry and pastoral regulatory, policy-making and coordination sectors. The link between poverty and body while line Ministries, as well as some environment in natural resource dependent, government agencies and sub-national least developed countries like Afghanistan is government authorities, are responsible for the well-established and accepted: unless natural ground level management of environmental resources are sustainably managed and used, and natural resources. NEPA thus represents Afghans are unlikely to ever escape the cycle the first example of a governmental of poverty in which many, both rural and environmental authority in Afghanistan. urban populations, currently live. However, the development and function of environmental governance and environmental Mainstreaming systematically takes into management relies on more than one consideration environmental issues as early as institution. possible in the decision-making process where decisions can best benefit from environmental Environment, as defined by the Environment opportunities and avoid negative impacts on Law and carried forward into this Strategy, the environment. In this way, mainstreaming includes the physical, biological and human can help align policies, programmes and components of Afghanistan as well as the operations with the long-term requirements of interactions between these components. sustainable development, help modernise Environment in itself is an integrated concept development policy content and procedures, comprised of multiple interactions. and promote a pro-active approach rather Correspondingly, environmental management than responding to impacts as they unfold.

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The main challenge to environmental The National Environment Strategy recognizes mainstreaming is finding a strategic nexus and the nascent history of environmental compatibility between development priorities management in Afghanistan. Therefore it and environmental management objectives focuses on developing NEPA’s capacity and where tradeoffs can be addressed ability to perform its regulatory, coordination pragmatically and capitalize on potential and policy-making duties which will comprise the ongoing platform to mainstream opportunities that benefit both environmental environment through environmental resources and functions and development management, including the ANDS priorities. Environmental mainstreaming is, benchmarks and MDG goals for environment. therefore, a policy principle, placing the environment at par with economic and social MDG Goal 7: Ensure environmental aspects of decision-making. sustainability

Integrate the principles of Proportion of land area covered by forest sustainable development into Ratio of area protected to maintain biological diversity to surface country policies and programs area and reverse the loss of Energy use per unit of GDP environmental resources Carbon dioxide emissions (per capita) and consumption of ozone- depleting chlorofluorocarbons Proportion of population using solid fuels Halve, by 2015, the proportion Proportion of population with sustainable access to an improved of people without sustainable water source, urban and rural access to safe drinking water Have achieved, by 2020, a Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation significant improvement in the Proportion of households with access to secure tenure lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers

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CAPTER I

SITUATIONAL CONTEXT

Urban Environment. In the urban STATE OF ENVIRONMENT environment, human health is being placed at Approximately 80% of the population of risk by poor solid and liquid waste Afghanistan directly relies on the natural management practices and a lack of adequate resource base of the country to meet its daily uncontaminated drinking water, indoor and ambient air pollution and sanitation needs. In 2003, the UNEP post-conflict infrastructure. Adequate landfills do not exist environmental assessment in Afghanistan in any towns and cities, and no measures are found that many livelihoods are under threat being taken in relation to existing dumpsites by the alarming degree of environmental to prevent groundwater contamination or degradation caused by a combination of reduce toxic emissions arising from the conflict, poverty, population growth and burning of solid waste. Furthermore, many survival tactics. Already, the lack of basic polluting industrial activities are being natural resources, such as clean water or undertaken without regard for environmental pastures, has lead to the collapse of many protection or the health of workers. Land and rural livelihoods, turning many people into other resources, such as natural and cultural environmental refugees and increasing heritage, is degraded by poorly planned or un- population pressures in urban centres. planned development activities. New settlements are being developed on sensitive The decline in the country’s natural resource and hazardous areas including steep terrain based has increased vulnerability to natural and areas prone to landslides, river flood disasters and food shortages, thereby further plains and drainage areas, areas prone to increasing poverty and decreasing earthquakes and subsistence areas. opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. Settlements are located without adequate Human health is also directly threatened by consideration to the associated demands on pollution hotspots and inadequate waste energy and other natural resources. The management and sanitation practices. pedestrian environment continues to deteriorate from the increasing dominance of Key aspects of Afghanistan’s current state of vehicles. the environment include the following:

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Surface and Groundwater. Water is the key materials for shelter are extremely important to the health and well-being of the Afghan for overall survival. Non-timber forest people. Approximately 75-80% of the products, such as nuts, leaves, mushrooms, population requires consistent access to water and forest-related flora and fauna, are also to maintain agricultural production. The important for the food security of people. In damage to the water resources of the country addition, forests and vegetation prevent land is immense. Drought and uncoordinated and from eroding, and maintain an ecological unmanaged extraction of both ground and balance in ecosystems and water catchment surface water resources, and urban areas. Illegal harvesting is depleting forests development, has severely depleted and and woodland resources rapidly, and degraded the available water resource base widespread resulting in a water quantity and quality crisis. Similarly, water quality is threatened by over-grazing is preventing regeneration. contamination from waste dumps, chemicals, Satellite analyses conducted by UNEP in 2002 open sewers and urban rainwater runoff. Due revealed that conifer forests in the provinces of to mismanagement of surface water, many of Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan have been Afghanistan’s wetlands are completely dry reduced by an average of 50 percent since and no longer support wildlife populations or 1978. provide agricultural inputs. The loss of forests and vegetation, excessive Forests and Rangelands. The forests and grazing and dry land cultivation expose soil to woodlands of Afghanistan provide key serious erosion. As such the productivity of resources for the livelihoods of the Afghan the land base is declining, driving people from population. Timber products such as rural to urban areas in search of food and fuelwood for cooking and construction employment.

Soils. The soils of Afghanistan are one of the human intervention. One of the most most important foundations for the Afghan threatening impacts arising from loss of soil economy. They are the basis for agriculture and vegetation is desertification and increased and animal husbandry, and at the same time flood risk. support the growth of natural vegetation. Air. Dust and vehicle emissions (exacerbated However, due to decades of overuse and poor as a result of the use of low grade management, many of the soils are slowly hydrocarbons) in Afghanistan’s urban areas eroding and land productivity is being are the main factors adversely affecting air reduced. Some of the degradation is so severe quality. According to estimates from 2002, the that recovery cannot take place without vehicle density in the country was 500’000

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cars, 30’000 buses and 50’000 trucks – figures If the current environmental problems in that are growing rapidly. During late autumn Afghanistan are not addressed, the following and winter, air quality is worsened by impacts can be expected. domestic emissions arising from increased use of ovens, stoves and open fires. Electricity Existing chemical contamination of air, shortages and a lack of fuel wood mean that soil and water resources at pollution households resort on occasions to burning hotspots will threaten human health and packaging materials, often resulting in the undermine workforce stability and release of toxic emissions. economic productivity. Vulnerability to natural disasters and food shortages will increase, which will hinder development efforts and compound humanitarian crises. Unequal distribution of water resources could lead to severe water scarcity in some regions, threatening human livelihoods, creating environmental refugees, compounding adverse humanitarian conditions and increasing regional tensions. The adverse environmental impacts of reconstruction and development projects

will create a large set of new Wildlife and Biodiversity. Afghanistan’s environmental problems and impacts to wildlife heritage is also under threat. livelihoods if not regulated and Flamingos have not bred successfully in mitigated. Addressing these problems Afghanistan for around eight years, and the will have significant long-term financial last Siberian crane was seen in 1986. While the implications for the government of Wakhan Corridor contains healthy Afghanistan. populations of endangered snow leopards and Unsustainable use of water resources other mammals, including Marco Polo sheep, could threaten agricultural production active hunting is occurring in many regions of and food security, as well as wetland the country, either for sport, for food, or in ecology and biodiversity. order to supply furs for sale to foreigners in Kabul. The legal status of all protected areas is Mismanagement of municipal, industrial currently in question, pending passage of and military wastes could lead to further protected areas regulations under the contamination of air, soil, and water Environment Law. Even though the protected resources (with adverse impacts on areas regulations and management plans are human health and well-being, as well as currently under development, no management the environment) and to the creation of is taking place to protect and conserve their new pollution hotspots. ecological integrity and wildlife until the Continued deforestation combined with regulations and management plans are livestock grazing and water scarcity will finalized. Furthermore, less than one percent of the land base is contained within protected lead to increased soil erosion, areas (none of the protected areas are gazetted desertification, reduced fertility and as yet) – and none of which cover the ecosystem services and diminished dwindling conifer forests of the east. As agriculture production. Afghanistan’s wildlife and biodiversity could Continued loss of vegetation and green be a critically important component for future cover and mismanagement of soil will tourism revenue, attention should be given lead to floods, mudslides, deterioration of towards protecting these resources before the groundwater quality, and rapid run off of opportunity is missed forever. water during the wet season.

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Continued declines in biodiversity and was subsequently declared an independent increased listing of endangered species Department of Environment. In May 2005 the due to habitat loss and the lack of an environmental function was given the status effective protected areas system. of an independent National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). Environmental refugees could be created due to land degradation and resource NEPA’s capacity to implement its mandate scarcity. remains relatively limited but the impending The quality of life in urban centres will completion of the Priority Reform and deteriorate due to increased vehicle traffic Restructuring (PRR) process will provide a and pollution levels. stable organizational structure with staff hired Non-renewable resources will be under appropriate Terms of Reference exploited on an abstraction-based following a transparent recruitment process. approach which precludes the ability for The organizational transition of the sustainable management for both environment function since 2002 has production and conservation. precluded the consistent development of technical and managerial skills within both Environmental investments may be NEPA and other governmental authorities conducted in an overlapping and non- involved in environmental management. coordinated way leading to inefficiency, Similarly, there has been little opportunity in redundancy and non-optimal use of Afghanistan’s recent history to develop a limited resources. functioning education and administrative Citizens of Afghanistan will lack basic system to support environmental environmental information on the key management. Thus the capacity of both NEPA problems faced by the country, and on and other government institutions to both the location of pollution hotspots. conduct environmental management and Donors, UN agencies and the implement this Strategy requires significant international community will lack training and capacity development. information on the key environmental investment needs for 2007 and beyond. The following list illustrates the roles and responsibilities of other governmental If environmental issues are not authorities in relation to environmental mainstreamed into the reconstruction management. agenda and national budget, the basic The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation prerequisites for sustainable development and Livestock (MAIL) is the second most will not be met. important institution in relation to environmental management as it has the INSTITUTIONAL mandate for natural resource management of forests, rangeland, FRAMEWORK AND protected areas and wildlife. The CAPACITY ASSESSMENT fundamental principles of environmental The recent establishment of an environmental management, set out in Article 5 of the function within the centralized government Environment Law, must be applied by system reflects Afghanistan’s development any institution exploiting natural priorities. Still a nascent function, resources for material gain, or exercising environment has changed organizational a public function, or creating or location and structure since its inception. In implementing policies and regulatory 2002, the new function was first housed in the frameworks that are likely to affect the Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources and management of the natural resources of Environment (MIWRE) as the Department of Afghanistan or the conservation and Environment. rehabilitation of its environment. Range management policies and laws need to be In January 2005, the Department of founded on the principle of sustainability. Environment was separated from MIWRE and The use of environmentally harmful

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pesticides, such as DDT, must be with this Ministry. The development of deterred. The introduction of any alien or adequate urban development and genetically modified crop or other species management plans and systems for is regulated in terms of the Environment human, municipal and industrial waste Law. management is important to ensure resource and energy-conserving, The Ministry of Energy and Water is environmentally sound and health responsible for managing water resources environments. Environmental impact and energy. The basic ecological needs of assessments must be undertaken in Afghanistan’s water resources need to be accordance with the Environment Law in balanced against social and livelihood regard to urban development plans and demands. Pollution of water resources the construction or upgrading of facilities needs to be prevented and controlled for the storage and treatment of waste through enforcement of water quality and sewage. Public awareness rising is standards. Protection should be afforded required regarding the impacts of poor to wetlands and other water resources of waste management practices on human high ecological value. Public awareness health and the environment. raising of the value of water, a limited resource in Afghanistan, is required. The Ministry of Public Works: The Ministry of Energy and Water should application of environmental impact establish a working relationship with assessments to the development of road NEPA to learn about the EIA process and construction, operation and maintenance contribute to its application to the of roads, railways, water ports, and development of water infrastructure. airfields is pertinent to this Ministry. In Water quality regulations should be addition, Afghanistan’s National Ozone developed in cooperation with all Unit, housed in NEPA, can provide relevant authorities and should reflect the information about the proper transport of direction of the Environment Law. The ozone producing appliances, such as environmental impact assessment and refrigeration and air conditioning units. pollution control provisions of the Environment Law must be complied with The Ministry of Transportation and in regard to the construction, upgrading Civil Aviation: Environmental impact and operation of facilities and assessments must to be undertaken in infrastructure required to generate and accordance with the Environment Law in transmit electricity. Reliance on fossil regard to the construction of new fuels needs to be reduced both because airports, or the upgrading of existing fossil fuels are a finite resource and due ones and to new roads that may have a to the generation of greenhouse gases significant adverse impact on the contained in fossil fuel emissions. environment. Government agencies and Further investment in renewable energies their implementing partners constructing, is required. rehabilitating or repairing roads should The Ministry of Public Health: The link first consult with NEPA regarding between poor environmental practices environmental impact assessment and the associated impact on public regulations and the associated process. health will be addressed through The provision of an effective public programs in this Ministry including the transport system lies within the realm of transmission of communicable diseases, this ministry. respiratory illnesses, water and air borne Ministry of Women’s Affairs: The diseases, public sanitation and industrial Ministry of Women’s Affairs is pollution. Public health education and responsible for ensuring that gender awareness raising will be reinforced with perspectives are appropriately reflected environmental information. in environmental policies, programmes The Ministry of Urban Development and legislation in order to facilitate and Housing: Management and gender equality through environmental regulation of the urban environment rests management. The link between gender

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and environmental sustainability will LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK benefit from sex-disaggregated data, prioritization of critical issues and The combination of the disruption of development of associated interventions. Afghanistan’s system of governance and destruction of its natural resources prompted Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, the development of an Environment Law, Martyrs and Disabled: The development which is the first legal instrument related to environmental programs in urban and the country’s environment. The legislation rural areas will provide additional was approved by the President and entered options in fields such as waste into force in December 2005. During 2006, the management, reforestation, and Law was approved by the National Assembly, environmental remediation associated and the final version was published in the with road construction and land Official Gazette in January 2007 (Issue No. 912, reclamation. dated 25 January 2007). The Ministry of Justice: Responsible amongst others for drafting, publishing The Environment Law is based on and distributing legislative documents. international standards that recognize the current state of Afghanistan’s environment The Ministry of Interior: Responsible while laying a framework for the progress of amongst others for the enforcement of governance leading to effective environmental laws and regulations. management. The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority: The NEPA is currently developing sets of environmental dimensions of disasters, regulations under the Environment Law especially in relation to mitigation of and addressing the following sectoral areas: response to natural and industrial environmental impact assessment (EIA); disasters, need to be incorporated into integrated pollution control (IPC); protected relevant policies and plans. areas management; ozone depleting substances; environmental quality standards Ministry of Foreign Affairs handles (air, water, pollution, waste management) and international agreements between compliance and enforcement. Other Afghanistan and other countries and environmental legislation under development regional cooperation issues. includes a Forest Law and Rangeland Law, Ministry of Commerce: Responsible which is being developed by the Ministry of amongst others to regulate trade. Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock. The Transboundary trade in banned or former legislation has been submitted to the restricted goods (such as ozone depleting Ministry of Justice for processing, while the substances and endangered species) must technical content of the latter piece of be deterred through regional border legislation is still being finalised in cooperation. cooperation with relevant stakeholders. Wildlife and hunting legislation is also in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of early stages of development. Economy have the responsibility to appropriately allocate budgets to NEPA will develop air quality standards for ministries and sanction development Afghanistan, based on available data plans and programs according to including the Kabul Air Quality Management Afghanistan’s environmental regulations, Report prepared by the Asian Development laws, standards and programmatic Bank (ADB). priorities. Additionally, the development of fiscal policies and economic incentives Within the next few years, Afghanistan’s for financing environmental goods and environmental regulatory framework will be services is necessary for effective relatively complete. Effective implementation environmental management. and enforcement of those laws will however

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take some time to achieve, particularly where sectors of the ANDS and can not be dealt with relatively new management ideas have been as a sector per se. Mainstreaming is introduced, as in the case of the natural particularly important for ensuring annual resource legislation that is under budgetary allocations with respect to development. Implementation will occur in a environmental requirements. Budgetary piecemeal manner, using a field-level piloting allocations from the Ministry of Finance and approach. associated budget requests from Ministries should include an appropriate level for activities mandated under the Environment INTERNATIONAL Law, such as EIAs, or to fund environmental REGULATORY FRAMEWORK activities in line with respective mandates. (MEAS) Ministerial participation in environmental coordination mechanisms such as the With respect to multilateral environmental Committee for Environmental Coordination agreements and regional cooperation, will provide Ministries with the relevant Afghanistan has primarily concentrated on information to appropriately draft their “green” transboundary issues concerning annual budget requests. protection and preservation with NEPA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and An analysis of government budgetary Livestock dividing duties as the respective allocations should be conducted annually focal points. Afghanistan has signed but not starting from a baseline year of 1386, the first ratified the Basel Convention regarding complete fiscal year after passage of the transboundary movement and disposal of Environment Law, to monitor the allocation of hazardous waste, and is in the process of funds among all sectors and the respective acceding to the Convention on Migratory Ministries for environmental management Species (CMS) and the Ramsar Convention on activities. Wetlands. The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is the focal point for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS the UN Convention to Combat Desertification International partners to NEPA and other (UNCCD) and the Convention on government authorities have provided the International Trade of Endangered Species initial precedent and experience to help the (CITES). government understand and begin setting environmental governance and environmental Afghanistan has also ratified the ozone treaties management into place. The associated (the Vienna Convention and the Montreal projects have focused primarily on thematic Protocol), and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with NEPA as areas of Afghanistan’s environment such as the focal point. biodiversity, afforestation, watershed management, natural resource management, Afghanistan is not yet a Party to the Kyoto renewable energy, environment and poverty Protocol (to UNFCCC), or to the “brown” reduction. However, the combined efforts has chemicals conventions, including the produced a body of lessons learned that Stockholm (“POPs”) and Basel Conventions. directly informs this Strategy. The continued Administration of these conventions is assistance of international partners is crucial to burdensome, and NEPA does not yet have the the implementation of the National capacity to undertake such a task adequately. Environmental Strategy.

Active international partners contributing to GOVERNMENT BUDGETARY the field of environmental management in ALLOCATIONS Afghanistan are the following: Environment and hence the National European Commission (EC) Environmental Strategy cuts through most Government of Finland

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 9

United Nations Environment Programme and skills of local communities in relation to (UNEP) sustainable natural resources and environment management, in particular those of women, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) need to be reflected in policies, programmes and legislation. Asian Development Bank (ADB) World Bank (WB) The same responsibilities apply to the private sector. Business developers need to be aware Global Environmental Facility (GEF) of their responsibilities with regard to United States Agency for International environmental standards, pollution mitigation Development (USAID) and the concept of sustainability. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) The relevant regulatory provisions of the United States Department of Agriculture Environment Law that relate to environmental (USDA) impact assessment and pollution control must United Nations Office for Project Services be complied with. At the same time, the (UNOPS)/ Afghanistan Conservation private sector offers entrepreneurial and Corps (ACC) technical innovation that can be applied to the Aga Khan Development Network environment such as clean technologies and sources of renewable energy. Government Government of Norway support through financing mechanisms and DACAAR other incentives will help bridge the application of private enterprise to public MADERA environmental goods and services. Mercy Corps Role of Civil Society and Private Sector RELATIONSHIP WITH Civil society plays an important role in OTHER ANDS CROSS- holding government, other institutions and the private sector accountable with regard to CUTTING ISSUES the status of the environment in Afghanistan and the effectiveness of environmental A. Gender management. Correspondingly, civil society is Worldwide a strong, well-documented key to ensuring sustainable approaches to relationship exists between gender and environmental stewardship for both public environment; though hardly any significant citizens and the private sector. work has been conducted in Afghanistan on aspects such as: (1) Compilation of statistics of In order for the civil society to fulfil this role, public awareness about the roles and gender-disaggregated environmental goods responsibilities of citizens with regard to and services; (2) Targeted interventions to environmental matters needs to be address the environmental issues that impact strengthened through existing civic structures. women more adversely such as indoor air In their roles as customary and elected pollution, lack of access to drinking water, representatives shuras, Community promotion of health and sanitation within the Development Councils (CDCs), District family etc.; (3) Recognition of women’s Development Authorities (DDAs), Provincial specific contribution to sustainable Development Councils (PDCs), civic and environment management. religious leaders provide a vehicle to help implement and enforce environmental laws The National Environment Strategy and regulations at the local level, as well as incorporates gender within the developing shape behaviours of the public away from framework for environmental governance and environmental damage and towards management rather than treating gender as a environmental stewardship. The knowledge separate aspect.

10 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

B. Regional Cooperation MOST IMPORTANT There are several environmental issues in CHALLENGES FOR THE Afghanistan that require a transboundary approach to management. Examples include NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT water sharing the Amu Darya and Helmand STRATEGY basins, forest management in the Eastern Throughout Afghanistan weak provinces and protected areas in the Wakhan environmental institutions need to be corridor and Sistan basin wetlands. strengthened, responsibilities need to be Transboundary initiatives on Amu Darya, established clearly and coordination Wakhan corridor and Sistan basin wetlands needs to be improved. are in early stages of engagement. The scarcity of qualified, trained and C. Capacity Building and experienced human resources is particularly acute in the field of Institutional Reform environmental management. Capacity building needs of the environmental Low allocation of funds to the management institutions are as acute as in any development of environmental other set of institutions in Afghanistan. The management as compared to the main difference being that the premier challenges facing Afghanistan’s environmental management institution, environment is a major concern. National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), is a newly created nascent institution NEPA is a fledgling institution, and the lacking political clout, financial strength and environmental mandate is a new one – trained human resources. factors that contribute to its low status among governmental institutions. D. Counter Narcotics Enforcement of legislation is a challenge in a country that has not known rule of The security and licit livelihoods goals of the law for decades. Counter Narcotics and associated National Drug Control Strategy will be supported Mobilization and involvement of the through environmental governance and general public as environmental management. A healthy environment capable stewards, is key, as is the early of supporting productive natural resources, sensitization of the young generation by coupled with legal identification of land access including environmental themes into and ownership will contribute to more self- education curricula. sufficiency and livelihoods options, The role of women in sustainable natural particularly at the community level. resources management, domestic waste management, sanitation management, E. Anti‐Corruption and domestic emissions management, is not well understood. Illegal appropriation of land, forced early harvest of communally-owned natural Low awareness in governmental resources such as pistachio and almond, institutions with regard to environmental corruption in urban waste management issues. programs are examples of corruption issues Poor collaboration among the relevant that have the potential to constrain the government institutions in utilizing expansion of environmental programs and existing environmental coordination overall environmental management. mechanisms.

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 11

12 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CAPTER II

MAINSTREAMING ENVIRONMENT: APPROACHES AND PRIORITIES

dissemination NEPA requires a comprehensive and on-going training and STRATEGIC VISION AND capacity building program with donor and GOALS: implementing partners, in a phased approach, to develop and reinforce staff skills in Vision administration, management, and NEPA’s programmatic areas: legal and regulatory, The National Environment Strategy aims to enforcement, EIA, environmental policy and improve the quality of life of people of information; outreach and communication, Afghanistan through conservation, protection environmental education and awareness, and improvement of the country’s multi-lateral environmental agreements. environment. B. Legal and Regulatory Goals Frameworks Secure a clean and healthy environment for With the promulgation of the Environment the people of Afghanistan. Law and impending issuance of the Attain sustainable economic and social Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development while protecting the natural policy and regulations, and with further resource base and the environment of the regulatory instruments and a national country. environmental policy in the pipeline, NEPA is Ensure effective management of the country’s poised to begin educating institutions about environment through participation of all the components of these legal instruments and stakeholders. their overall application, to develop the processes and systems required for The strategic vision and goals of the National Environment Strategy proceeds from the implementation, and, ultimately, to begin application of four priority programme areas adequately enforcing the framework. to build NEPA’s capacity and ability to conduct its mandate. From there, the Strategy These activities are central to attainment of the elaborates priority programmes areas for environment benchmark in the I-ANDS. environmental management based on NEPA will begin working with relevant thematic strategies. government authorities to develop air quality, water quality, waste management and pollution control regulations following PRIORITY PROGRAMME international standards for such “brown” AREAS FOR NEPA environmental issues. The establishment of these regulations will help mainstream the A. Training and Capacity government of Afghanistan’s standards for Building environmental quality. Similarly, further “green” or environmental protection In order to provide accurate information, regulations will establish the government’s technical assistance and effective standards for its natural resources including

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 13

forests and areas of environmental significance D. Environmental Information such as national parks. and Policy C. Environmental Education, Sound environment policy decision-making Awareness and Outreach and a reliable policy analysis process depends on quality scientific information collected from Public participation is a key feature of the reliable environmental monitoring systems. Environment Law and the EIA regulations, Capacity building in the area of environmental and will similarly feature as a component of information analysis and the scientific base for further environmental laws and regulations. policy formulation is the key towards the As a coordinating body, NEPA’s role includes sustainable use of environment resources and helping to inform stakeholders, including the sustainable development of the country. The Afghan public and government, of their rights absence of environmental policies and and responsibilities under the legal and environmental monitoring will affect the regulatory framework. development of the environment sector unless a comprehensive program is established. With Thus, NEPA will initiate a public awareness stakeholder consultation, NEPA will develop campaign in both urban and rural areas to and issue a National Environmental Policy, disseminate messages about Afghanistan’s establish a regular environmental monitoring environment, the government’s priorities system and associated database and produce a regarding its use and protection and the biennial State of the Environment report to government’s commitment and willingness to document changes in Afghanistan’s help improve the lives of Afghans through a environment and inform the status of rehabilitated environment. environmental governance and management.

NEPA will also work with the Ministry of NEPA will strengthen its coordination role Education and Kabul University to develop through regular meetings of the Committee supplemental, formal environmental materials for Environmental Coordination (CEC) and to teach Afghan students about the relevance the annual National Environmental Advisory and importance of the environment to their Council (NEAC). These coordination bodies daily lives and to begin building a cohort of were established under the Environment Law Afghan professionals with the knowledge and to encourage cooperative environmental ability to further environmental management governance under the direction of NEPA. The purpose of the CEC is to promote the in Afghanistan. NEPA will also utilize non- integration and coordination of environmental formal education platforms such as mullahs, issues within national and sub-national levels Islamic scholars, community-based schools, of the government. All relevant ministries and women’s programs, literacy and vocational sub-national authorities are represented on the programs to incorporate environmental Committee while relevant international information and education materials. donors and partners and national NGOs are afforded observer status. The NEAC Finally, NEPA will help establish comprised of representatives of different environmental focal points in key government levels of Afghan society such as governors, authorities, such as the Ministry of Islamic scholars, tribal elders and Provincial, Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, the District and Village Council Chairs, will Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of advise NEPA on financial and regulatory Education, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs matters, as well as environmental matters that and municipalities to provide timely and are of respectively national and local public relevant environmental information. importance.

14 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

PRIORITY PROGRAMME AREAS, DESIRED OUTCOMES AND INPUTS & OUTPUTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: Priority Policies Desired Outcomes Inputs & Outputs / Programs Responsible Agencies and Objectives

Short term (2 years) Mid term (5 years) Policy Actions/ Measures Projects (1) Restoration and Institutions and processes Better management Drafting, consultation Rangeland MAIL Sustainable Use established for conflict practices for rangeland and approval of programme MRRD of Rangelands resolution of access to management, including national rangelands comprising Ministry of Women’s and ownership of rotational regimes, policy. conservation and Affairs rangelands improved grazing sustainability Ministry of Justice Develop, facilitate and practices, etc, components, implement community established. implemented at the Community based practices for the Restoration of important community level Institutions management of rangeland areas rangelands. initiated. Recognition and enforcement of access to rangelands (2) Restoration and Institutions and processes Modern practices Drafting, consultation Forestry MAIL Sustainable Use established for conflict initiated for conservation and approval of programme MRRD of Forests resolution on access to and sustainable use of forestry policy. comprising Ministry of Women’s and ownership of forests. Non-Timber Forest conservation and Affaires Community based forest Resources. sustainability Ministry of Justice management practices Modern management components, initiated. practices initiated for implemented at the Community conservation and community level Institutions sustainable use of forest resources. (3) Conservation of Management plans Implementation of Approval of protected Biodiversity MAIL Biodiversity prepared, approved and management plans areas regulations. programme NEPA notified for protected initiated for protected comprising Drafting, consultation Ministry of Women’s areas and national parks, areas and national protection and and approval of Affairs including game reserves, parks, including game national biodiversity sustainable use of Ministry of Urban wetlands and bird reserves, wetlands and policy. biodiversity in sanctuaries. bird sanctuaries. rangelands, forests Development Community based A gene bank initiated. and protected Municipalities programmes initiated for areas. Department of conservation and AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 15

Priority Policies Desired Outcomes Inputs & Outputs / Programs Responsible Agencies and Objectives

Short term (2 years) Mid term (5 years) Policy Actions/ Measures Projects sustainable use of natural Defence resources. (4) Accession to/ Accession to Ramsar Signing of Kyoto Secure approval for GEF enabling NEPA Signing and Convention and CMS Protocol or its successor the accession projects for MEAs MAIL Enforcement of protocol instruments for Enforcement of Ozone Implementation of Ministry of Foreign MEAs Ramsar Convention conventions Enforcement of MEAs National ODS Affairs and CMS from Initiation of and acceded / signed by Phase Out projects parliament enforcement of UNFCCC, Afghanistan UNCBD, UNCCD Regular ODS surveys for Afghanistan Strengthening of MEA Focal Point institutions. (5) Preservation of Natural heritage sites Ecotourism programmes Declaration of natural Individual natural NEPA Natural and identified and notified. for natural heritage sites heritage sites. heritage site MAIL Cultural Heritage initiated. development Ministry of projects. Information, Culture and Youth Ministry of Urban Development Communities Security institutions (6) Encouragement to Support mechanism Programmes and Inclusion of CB NRM Area based rural MAIL Community Based established for projects utilizing approaches in rural development NEPA Natural Resource programmes and projects community based development projects with Ministry of Energy and Management utilizing community based natural resource programmes and CBNRM Water natural resource management projects. approaches. management approaches. approaches initiated. MRRD Ministry of Women’s Affairs Ministry of Mines Ministry of Information, Culture and Youth Communities 16 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

Priority Policies Desired Outcomes Inputs & Outputs / Programs Responsible Agencies and Objectives

Short term (2 years) Mid term (5 years) Policy Actions/ Measures Projects (7) Prevention and Institutions and processes Vehicle registration, Drafting, consultation Capacity building NEPA Abatement of established for vehicle examination and tune up and approval of projects for relevant MAIL Pollution registration, examination programmes initiated. pollution control ministries for Ministry of and tune up. policy. pollution control Transportation Approval of measures. Ministry of Finance Environment Impact Capacity building Assessment (EIA) projects for relevant Ministry of Commerce regulations. ministries for Directorate of Local Approval of EIA enforcing Governance administrative Environment Impact Ministry of procedures. Assessment (EIA) Information, Culture regulations. Drafting, consultation and Youth and approval of Capacity building Municipalities projects for relevant national The public environmental quality ministries for standards, including enforcing National air and water quality Environment Quality Standards. (8) Urban Urban environment Expansion of urban standards. NEPA Environmental improvement programmes environment Ministry of Urban Management initiated including garbage improvement Development collection and disposal; programmes, including Municipalities Development of landfills. wastewater systems and treatment programmes Directorate of Local Institutions and processes initiated. Governance established for collection The public and treatment of waste Collection and treatment from urban small of waste from urban industries. small industries started. (9) Environmental Roles and responsibilities Programmes and Material developed Projects in formal NEPA Education and established for projects established to and human resources education Ministry of Education Awareness environmental education promote environmental trained. institutions - Ministry of Higher and awareness. education and primary, secondary Teaching materials Education awareness. (Amongst provided. and tertiary schools others on: environmental and universities. Ministry of Women’s Female and male health, personal Affairs teachers trained Projects in non- hygiene, air & water formal education Ministry of

pollution, land programs – literacy, Information, Culture

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 17

Priority Policies Desired Outcomes Inputs & Outputs / Programs Responsible Agencies and Objectives

Short term (2 years) Mid term (5 years) Policy Actions/ Measures Projects degradation, biodiversity vocational, and Youth conservation, promotion community-based Ministry of Hajj and of renewable energy and schools, religious Islamic Affairs energy efficiency) classes and MAIL Inclusion of women’s programs Ministry Energy and environmental subjects Water. and contents in curriculum of schools and universities and as supplemental material.

18 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CAPTER III

THEMATIC STRATEGIES FORESTRY AND among settled and nomadic land users and ethnic and territorial RANGELAND concern Forests and rangelands are particularly Irreversible loss of topsoil through valuable in dry land regions such as water and wind erosion caused by Afghanistan. They provide fuel wood and the removal of forest, overgrazing timber, as well as other non-timber forest and over harvesting products such as nuts and medicinal plants. Forests are also prime habitat for many animal Operation of irrigation schemes at a species, including some threatened with fraction of their potential levels extinction. Extensive tree cover can also help A depleted livestock sector to moderate local climate conditions and reduce potentially damaging runoff after Depletion of wildlife habitats sudden rain fall. In many situations, water Increased detrimental impact of courses in forested land retain their dry-season natural disasters due to lack of flows better than those in un-forested land, natural barriers making water available for human Competing land use consumption and irrigation during critical periods.The mixed oak and coniferous forests Ownership and access to forests and of the east have potential to be managed as range land sources of timber, but are being logged Governance and management of illegally, severely reducing the country’s forests natural resource base. Over most of the centre and range land and north of the country, conditions for tree growth are more marginal, and existing tree B. Desired Outcomes cover is extremely sensitive to disturbances Establishment of regimes for proper and that may then lead to erosion and effective utilization of forest and desertification. In these regions, open rangelands woodlands, with pistachio and almond, are valuable source of nuts for subsistence and Achieving balance between, on the one export, but have been increasingly cut for fuel hand, maximization of production and wood. Overgrazing combined with an productivity in all agricultural land uses increasing population and corresponding and, on the other hand, effective demands for fuel wood over recent decades maintenance and enhancement of the have resulted in extensive decline in natural and wildlife resource base woodlands. Targeting and geographical coverage for community-based resource management A. Issues Establishing strategic roles of people and Significant loss of forest cover and institutions in community resource range land leading to: management Shortage of forest products Mitigation of natural disasters such as flooding, drought and land degradation Pasture land becoming principal through natural resource rehabilitation source of conflict due to competition and management

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 19

C. Corresponding Sectors importance for migratory and breeding waterbirds. Agriculture and Rural Development Gender D. Issues Governance and Public Administration Ambiguous legal status Lack of enabling legislation for PROTECTED AREAS AND establishing and managing PAs BIODIVERSITY Negative impact of war, human settlements, drought, tourism and Protected areas (PA) were first introduced in landmines the West primarily as a means to protect landscapes, wildlife and habitats of particular Threats to biodiversity, including hunting value, often by exclusion of people and of wildlife in PAs regulation of access and use. Modern Degradation of forest cover, cutting of approaches to protected areas stress the need reeds, livestock grazing in PAs for community participation in protected area planning, and for multiple uses aimed to Poor hydrological conditions in some PAs benefit residents as well as maintain natural processes. Evidence from around the world E. Desired Outcomes shows that with suitable design and Clarity on the legal status and boundaries management these goals can be of PAs achieved.Afghanistan has never had the benefit of an effective protected areas system. Enabling legislation on establishing and Though some progress was made in managing PAs implementing a protected areas network Assessment of impact of human designed during the 1970s, the escalation of settlements, war, drought, tourism and disorder through that decade, the Soviet landmines on PAs occupation in 1979, and the subsequent civil strife, prevented its development and Hydrological and biodiversity assessment modernization. of PAs Regulation of hunting and other human A 1992 government review listed the existing activities in PAs protected areas as one national park (Band-e- Amir), three water fowl sanctuaries (Ab-I- Clearance of land mines from PAs Estada, Dasht-e-Nawar and Kole Hashmat Accession to Ramsar Convention Khan) and two wildlife reserves (Ajar valley and Pamir-I-Buzurg). Between 1977 and 1992, a further ten sites were proposed for protected F. Corresponding Sector area status, including three important areas in Agriculture and Rural Development the western half of the country: Registan Desert Wildlife Management Reserve, Hamun- Justice I-Puzak Waterfowl Sanctuary, and Northwest Governance and Public Administration Afghanistan Game Management Reserve.

There has never been an overall enabling WATER AND WETLANDS legislation providing for the establishment and With rainfall low and erratic in much of management of protected areas, and the Afghanistan, and large areas qualifying as precise current legal status of each protected desert or semi-desert, rivers, streams and area is uncertain. Most were never formally other wetlands are crucial for human needs gazetted and institutional structures have such as drinking water and agriculture, and since changed. Afghanistan is not yet party to for maintaining populations of wild plants the Ramsar Convention on wetlands, though and animals, many of which provide potential several wetland sites in the country have for economic opportunities. Although broad previously been identified as of international calculations suggest that, in average

20 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

conditions, Afghanistan as a whole uses less Hydrological studies and biodiversity than one-third of its potential 75’000 million assessment of major wetlands m3 water resources, regional differences in Regular monitoring of ground water supply, inefficient use, and wastage mean that tables, especially in vulnerable areas a major part of the country experiences water scarcity. The recent years of conflict and poor Integration of watershed development water management have seriously degraded with irrigation improvement. many of the wetlands and made it difficult or Remedial measures for containing impossible to make improvements to impacts of desiccation of wetlands on infrastructure or to integrate uncoordinated human and natural environment local schemes into a coherent national strategy for water. C. Corresponding Sectors A. Issues Water Desiccation of wetlands with Agriculture and Rural Development accompanying loss of vegetation Health Soil erosion and movement of sand, dust Air Quality and sediments into irrigated areas, irrigations canals and lakebeds Dust and vehicle emissions, unpaved roads, open burning of solid waste and burning Loss of agricultural land biofuels for heat and cooking in country’s Change in flora and fauna of the urban areas are the main factors negatively wetlands affecting air quality. Most vehicles run on low- grade fuel and cause problems of air pollution. Increasing and uncoordinated water extraction The potential risks to human health from Poly Ground water salinity Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) through inhalation are increased by the presence of Pesticides residues in wetlands dust in the air. Dust binds hydrocarbon Trans-boundary water management particles, prevents them escaping into the upper atmosphere, and increases the B. Desired Outcomes likelihood of human exposure. A combination of drought and loss of vegetation are Improved water management at the basin contributing factors to the increased dust level, particularly upstream levels.

Source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision and World Urbanization Prospects: The 2005 Revision, http://esa.un.org/unup.

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 21

D. Population Growth in Kabul Desired outcomes: National urban environmental Desired Outcomes: management strategy developed and implemented, including pollution Import, production and use of control. cleaner fuel encouraged through policy reforms. Professional expertise built to undertake Environmental Assessments of policies, Public transport system and urban plans and urban projects. pedestrian environment improved Environmental Assessments applied Vehicular registration, across the board. examination system and tune up Environmental policies integrated into facilities established urban planning. Private vehicle use reduced Illegal trade in hazardous waste, raw materials and products prevented. Urban roads paved Urban environmental indicators Air polluting bio fuels for heating developed and data collection initiated and cooking reduced Corresponding Sectors Corresponding Sectors Urban Development Transport Health Urban Development Gender Energy Health ENVIRONMENTAL E. Urban and Industrial EDUCATION AND Environmental Management AWARENESS Public participation in discussions and Urban environments, and therefore decision making on environmental issues and health, are being degraded by inadequate management of natural resources requires planning and management practices more heightened levels of awareness and including poor solid and liquid waste understanding than exist presently within the management. Hospitals are significant broad Afghan community. Furthermore, the hotspots as medical wastes are disposed responsibility and stewardship of restoring of improperly. There are hardly any and maintaining Afghanistan’s environment proper landfills in any of the towns and rests with all levels and generations of Afghan cities, and none of the dumpsites are society, the private sector as well as the government. taking measures to prevent groundwater contamination or toxic air pollution from Therefore, training and capacity needs in burning wastes. environmental education and awareness are considerable to empower the public with the There is also evidence of polluting legal rights and personal desire to protect the industrial activities operating without environment and provide incentives for regard for environmental protection or behaviour change. health of workers.

22 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

Desired Outcomes: public waste facilities, endorsement of environmental and natural resource Environmental education and awareness management programs and regulations. strategy developed and implemented. Media awareness enhanced. Corresponding Sectors Environmental education and awareness Education material, including curriculum, Agriculture and Rural Development developed. Gender Evidence of behaviours supporting the Health environment such as participation in waste management programs, use of Energy

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 23

24 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CAPTER IV

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

Strategic coordination of the ANDS is to take identifying the problems encountered in the place on a sector-by-sector basis through a implementation of the benchmarks. This will Consultative Group (CG) mechanism. Under allow the CGs to more effectively address the the CG mechanism, environment features as a issues and meet their obligation of reporting to cross-cutting issue (hence the existence of the the Oversight Committee (OSC) and Joint Environment Cross Cutting Consultative Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) Group (CCCG), and also a sectoral issue. In on progress in fulfilling the high-level regard to the latter, a Natural Resources and benchmarks. Environment technical working group (TWG3.6) exists in the CG dealing with Table 1 lists cross-cutting environmental Infrastructure and Natural Resources (CG3). issues corresponding to relevant Afghanistan Environment as a cross-cutting issue, must be Compact benchmarks and sectors in order to mainstreamed across all sectors and in each monitor progress with regard to the programme area through the development of Environment benchmark of the ANDS, and policy benchmarks to ensure that government, mainstream environmental issues and priority donors and implementing agencies follow programmes elaborated in the Strategy. established norms with respect to the incorporation of environmental considerations A monitoring matrix for indicators related to into the design and implementation of the Environment benchmark is contained in projects, and provide adequate oversight and Table 2. The benchmark indicators monitoring of the environmental impacts of encapsulate the components of environmental humanitarian and development projects. management developed in the National Environment Strategy. The ANDS Technical Working Groups play a crucial role in ensuring issues encountered in Ultimately environmental mainstreaming and the implementation of programs and the information in both tables also apply to ministerial/ sectoral strategies are effectively achievement of the MDG goal for addressed. Their assessment must be frank, environment.

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 25

Table 1. Mainstreaming Environment into the Afghanistan Compact Benchmarks a) Sector 1: Security

International security forces: Through end-2010, with the support of and in close Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordance CG1 coordination with the Afghan Government, the NATO-led International Security Assistance with the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to PRT Force (ISAF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and their respective Provincial infrastructure and other development projects. WG1-1.1 Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) will promote security and stability in all regions of Afghanistan, including by strengthening Afghan capabilities. Afghan National Army: By end-2010: A nationally respected, professional, ethnically Environmental impacts of military camps and bases (especially waste balanced Afghan National Army will be fully established that is democratically disposal and sanitation aspects) must be considered. accountable, organized, trained and equipped to meet the security needs of the country CG1 and increasingly funded from Government revenue, commensurate with the nation’s economic capacity; the international community will continue to support Afghanistan in WG1-1.1 expanding the ANA towards the ceiling of 70,000 personnel articulated in the Bonn talks; and the pace of expansion is to be adjusted on the basis of periodic joint quality assessments by the Afghan Government and the international community against agreed criteria which take into account prevailing conditions. Mine Action and Ammunition: By end-2010, in line with Afghanistan’s Millennium NEPA and MAIL should be consulted prior to the implementation of any CG1 Development Goals (MDGs) and Afghanistan’s Ottawa Convention obligations, the land de-mining activities in protected areas and areas of high biological area contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance will be reduced by 70%; all diversity or ecological value. WG2-1.2 stockpiled anti-personnel mines will be located and destroyed by end-2007; and by end- 2010, all unsafe, unserviceable, and surplus ammunition will be destroyed. Afghan National and Border Police: By end-2010, a fully constituted, professional, Police require training in relation to the environmental regulatory functional and ethnically balanced Afghan National Police and Afghan Border Police with framework in order to enforce certain aspects of it, as required by law. CG1 a combined force of up to 62,000 will be able to meet the security needs of the country Border police require training in relation to transboundary trade in banned WG3-1.3 effectively and will be increasingly fiscally sustainable. or restricted goods, such as ozone depleting substances and endangered species from NEPA and the National Ozone Unit, housed in NEPA.

CG1 Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups: All illegal armed groups will be disbanded by end- Disposal of weapons and munitions containing environmentally 2007 in all provinces. hazardous substances must be managed carefully. EIA? Upcoming WG3-1.3 regulations? Counter Narcotics: By end-2010, the Government will strengthen its law enforcement Toxic chemicals used in processing facilities should be seized and capacity at both central and provincial levels, resulting in a substantial annual increase in properly disposed off when such facilities are dismantled. EIA? Upcoming the amount of drugs seized or destroyed and processing facilities dismantled, and in regulations? effective measures, including targeted eradication as appropriate, that contribute to the CG1 elimination of poppy cultivation. WG3-1.3 By end-2010, the Government and neighbouring and regional governments will work together to increase coordination and mutual sharing of intelligence, with the goal of an increase in the seizure and destruction of drugs being smuggled across Afghanistan’s borders, and effective action against drug traffickers. 26 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

b) Sector 2: Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights

Public Administrative Reform: By end-2010: Government machinery (including the number The establishment of environmental units in key ministries with sectoral of ministries) will be restructured and rationalised to ensure a fiscally sustainable public environmental mandates should be implemented (e.g. Ministry of administration; the Civil Service Commission will be strengthened; and civil service Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock; Ministry of Energy and Water; CG2 functions will be reformed to reflect core functions and responsibilities. Ministry of Rehabilitation and Rural Development; Ministry of Mines and WG4-2.1 Industries, Ministry of Public Health; Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation; Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Urban Development and Housing; Ministry of Women’s Affairs; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Finance).

Counter Narcotics: By end-2010, the Government will increase the number of arrests and None. CG2 prosecutions of traffickers and corrupt officials, and will improve its information base concerning those involved in the drugs trade, with a view to enhancing the selection WG4-2.1 system for national and sub-national public appointments, as part of the appointments mechanism mentioned earlier in this annex.

CG2 National Assembly: The National Assembly will be provided with technical and The National Assembly requires training in regard to environmental administrative support by mid-2006 to fulfil effectively its constitutionally mandated roles. issues, in particular environmental law and policy, and multilateral WG5-2.2 environmental agreements.

Elections: The Afghanistan Independent Electoral Commission will have the high integrity, None. CG2 capacity and resources to undertake elections in an increasingly fiscally sustainable manner by end-2008, with the Government of Afghanistan contributing to the extent WG5-2.2 possible to the cost of future elections from its own resources. A permanent civil and voter registry with a single national identity document will be established by end-2009.

Census and statistics: The census enumeration will be completed by end-2008 and the None. CG2 complete results published. Reliable statistical baselines will be established for all WG5-2.2 quantitative benchmarks by mid-2007 and statistical capacity built to track progress against them.

Rule of law: By end-2010, the legal framework required under the constitution, including An environmental regulatory framework has been established with the civil, criminal, and commercial law, will be put in place, distributed to all judicial and enactment of the Environment Law (January 2007) and with the ongoing legislative institutions, and made available to the public. development of associated, sector-specific regulations. This framework By end-2010: Functioning institutions of justice will be fully operational in each province of will similarly be distributed to relevant institutions and the public as each CG2 Afghanistan; and the average time to resolve contract disputes will be reduced as much regulation is issued. Successful implementation of the framework will rely WG6-2.3 as possible. on the environmental units, participation by respective Ministries in the Committee for Environmental Coordination, training by NEPA and public awareness messages. Training of judicial officers in relation to the country’s environmental laws and regulations is required.

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 27

Land registration: A process for registration of land in all administrative units and the The system relating to land disputes needs to also address disputes CG2 registration of titles will be started for all major urban areas by end-2006 and all other relating to access to natural resources (e.g. rangeland). WG6-2.3 areas by end- 2010. A fair system for settlement of land disputes will be in place by end- 2007. Registration for rural land will be under way by end-2007.

Human rights: By end-2010: The Government’s capacity to comply with and report on its Environment is a human right, as recognised by its inclusion in human rights treaty obligations will be strengthened; Government security and law Afghanistan’s Bill of Rights. Environmental rights should be included in enforcement agencies will adopt corrective measures including codes of conduct and the development of awareness raising materials and curricula, and in procedures aimed at preventing arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, extortion and illegal training activities undertaken by the AIHRC. expropriation of property with a view to the elimination of these practices; the exercise of CG2 freedom of expression, including freedom of media will be strengthened; human rights awareness will be included in education curricula, and promoted among legislators, WG6-2.3 judicial personnel and other Government agencies, communities and the public; human rights monitoring will be carried out by the Government and independently by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), and the UN will track the effectiveness of measures aimed at the protection of human rights; and the AIHRC will be supported in the fulfilment of its objectives with regard to monitoring, investigation, protection and promotion of human rights.

Anti-Corruption: The UN Convention against Corruption will be ratified by end- 2006, CG2 Effective establishment and enforcement of land rights, conflict-resolution national legislation adapted accordingly by end-2007 and a monitoring mechanism to mechanisms and regimes of utilisation for natural resources in urban and WG6-2.3 oversee implementation will be in place by end-2008. rural areas require necessary anti-corruption incentives.

Religious affairs [from ANDS]: By end-2010: religious institutions and scholars, both men The principles of sustainable development contained in the Qur’an should and women, will participate in structured ways on issues of national development policy, be incorporated into issues of national development policy. CG2 and concrete measures will be put in place to ensure that the status and participation of Correspondingly, participation of religious scholars in the National WG7-2.4 women in Islamic activities increase, both locally and internationally. Environmental Advisory Council (NEAC) will inform the progress of environmental governance and management.

Gender: By end-2010: the National Action Plan for Women in Afghanistan will be fully As the majority of the most poor and vulnerable sector of Afghan society, implemented; and in line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, female participation in all Afghan women play decisive and important roles in managing and conserving governance institutions, including elected and appointed bodies and the civil service, will biodiversity, water, land and other resources for household livelihood and be strengthened. health. Yet their centrality is often ignored and not fully understood. CG2 Environmental issues should be incorporated into the NAPWA to encourage better management of natural resources, as well as greater WG8-2.5 productivity for human sustenance and economic development. The NAPWA can function as a vehicle, in conjunction with environment and education initiatives, to increase female participation in environmental management at all levels of governance.

28 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

c) Sector 3: Infrastructure and Natural Resources

Roads: Afghanistan will have a fully upgraded and maintained ring road, as well as roads Environmental impact assessments must to be undertaken in accordance CG3 connecting the ring road to neighbouring countries by 2008, and a fiscally sustainable with the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to the WG9-3.1 system for road maintenance by end-2007. construction of new roads that may have a significant adverse impact on the environment.

Air transport: By end-2010: Kabul International Airport and Herat Airport will achieve full Environmental impact assessments must to be undertaken in accordance International Civil Aviation Organisation compliance; Mazar, Jalalabad and Kandahar will with the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to construction of CG3 be upgraded with runway repairs, air navigation, fire and rescue and communications new airports, or the upgrading of existing ones. WG10-3.2 equipment; and seven other domestic airports will be upgraded to facilitate domestic air transportation; and air transport services and costs will be increasingly competitive with international market standards and rates.

Telecommunications [from ANDS]: By end-2010: a national telecommunications network Environmental impact assessments must to be undertaken in accordance CG3 will be put in place so that more than 80% of Afghans will have access to affordable with the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to the erection of WG11-3.3 telecommunications, and more than $100 million dollars per year is generated in public communication masts where their erection may have a significant revenue. adverse impact on the environment.

Energy: By end-2010: electricity will reach at least 65% of households and 90% of non- The environmental impact assessment and pollution control provisions of residential establishments in major urban areas, and at least 25% of households in rural the Environment Law and upcoming regulations must be complied with in areas; at least 75% of the costs will be recovered from users connected to the national regard to the construction, upgrading and operation of facilities and power grid; and a strategy for the development and the use of renewable energies will be infrastructure required to generate and transmit electricity. CG3 developed by end-2007. Reliance on fossil fuels needs to be reduced both because fossil fuels are WG12-3.4 a finite, non-renewable resource and due to the generation of greenhouse gases contained in fossil fuel emissions. Further investment in and incentives for renewable energies, clean technologies and energy efficiency are required.

Water resource management: Sustainable water resource management strategies and The basic ecological needs of Afghanistan’s water resources need to be plans, covering irrigation and drinking water supply, will be developed by end-2006 and balanced against social and livelihood demands. irrigation investments will result in at least 30% of water coming from large waterworks by Pollution of water resources needs to be prevented and controlled end-2010. through development and enforcement of water quality standards and CG3 regulations. WG12-3.4 Protection should be afforded to wetlands and other water resources of high ecological value. Public awareness raising of the value of water, a limited resource in Afghanistan, is required.

CG3 Urban development: By end-2010: Municipal governments will have strengthened The development of adequate sanitation systems in urban areas is capacity to manage urban development and to ensure that municipal services are important to reduce the adverse effects of waste and sewage on human

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 29

WG13-3.5 delivered effectively, efficiently and transparently; and in line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, health and the environment. investment in water supply and sanitation will ensure that 50% of households in Kabul and Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordance 30% of households in other major urban areas will have access to piped water. with the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to the construction or upgrading of facilities for the storage and treatment of waste and sewage and landfills. Zoning and related enforcement of residential and commercial areas is required to mitigate unplanned settlements and commercial development. Public awareness raising is required regarding the impacts of poor waste management practices on human health and the environment.

Mining and natural resources: An enabling regulatory environment for profitable extraction Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordance of Afghanistan’s mineral and natural resources will be created by end-2006, and by end- with the Environment Law and Minerals Law and EIA regulations in CG3 2010 the investment environment and infrastructure will be enhanced in order to attract regard to the abstraction of mineral resources. The legal and regulatory WG14-3.6 domestic and foreign direct investment in this area. framework for profitable extraction of mineral and natural resources must not contravene the sustainable management framework for natural resources established by the Environment Law.

Environment: In line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, environmental regulatory frameworks and Environmental issues require mainstreaming within the development CG3 management services will be established for the protection of air and water quality, waste framework for Afghanistan. management and pollution control, and natural resource policies will be developed and WG14-3.6 implementation started at all levels of government as well as the community level, by end- 2007. d) Sector 4: Education

Primary and secondary education: By end-2010: in line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, net The development of new curricula should include elements of enrolment in primary school for girls and boys will be at least 60% and 75% respectively; a environmental education and awareness raising. CG4 new curriculum will be operational in all secondary schools, female teachers will be WG15-4.1 increased by 50%; 70% of Afghanistan’s teachers will have passed a competency test, and a system for assessing learning achievement such as a national testing system for students will be in place.

Higher education: By end 2010: enrolment of students to universities will be 100,000 with Universities and polytechnics need to develop their capacities to offer CG4 at least 35% female students; and the curriculum in Afghanistan’s public universities will degrees or diplomas in environmental management specifically or related WG15-4.1 be revised to meet the development needs of the country and private sector growth. topic such as environmental engineering, ecology, conservation and wildlife biology.

CG4 Skills development: A human resource study will be completed by end-2006, and 150,000 Environmental considerations should be built in to the training materials men and women will be trained in marketable skills through public and private means by for skills development. WG15-4.1 end-2010.

CG4 Afghan cultural heritage: A comprehensive inventory of Afghan cultural treasures will be Natural and cultural heritage should be conserved with regard to the compiled by end-2007. Measures will be taken to revive the Afghan Cultural heritage, to provisions of the Environment Law. WG16-4.2 stop the illegal removal of cultural material and to restore damaged monuments and

30 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

artefacts by end-2010.

Media and Sports [from ANDS]: by end 2010: the media will be protected as independent, None. CG4 pluralistic and accessible to Afghan women and men throughout the country, thereby WG16-4.2 promoting an open and democratic society. Sports will be promoted, with special emphasis on creating access for children, women and the disabled. e) Sector 5: Health

Health and Nutrition: By end-2010, in line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, the Basic Package of The link between poor environmental practices and human well-being Health Services will be extended to cover at least 90% of the population, maternal needs to be mainstreamed through public health programmes related to mortality will be reduced by 15%, and full immunisation coverage for infants under-5 for hygiene and sanitation, communicable diseases, industrial health and vaccine preventable diseases will be achieved and their mortality rates reduced by 20%. safety and nutrition programmes on the importance of the environment for CG5 food security. WG17-5.1 The application of upcoming air and water quality, pollution control and waste management standards and regulations and natural resource management policies is important for this benchmark. Public awareness raising required. f) Sector 6: Agriculture and Rural Development

Agriculture and Livestock: By end-2010: The necessary institutional, regulatory and The fundamental principles of environmental management, set out in incentive framework to increase production and productivity will be established to create article 5 of the Environment Law and elaborated in the National an enabling environment for legal agriculture and agriculture-based rural industries, and Environment Strategy, must be applied by any institution exploiting public investment in agriculture will increase by 30 percent; and particular consideration natural resources for material gain, or exercising a public function, or will be given to perennial horticulture, animal health and food security by instituting creating or implementing policies and regulatory frameworks that are specialised support agencies and financial service delivery mechanisms, supporting likely to affect the management of the natural resources of Afghanistan or farmers’ associations, branding national products, disseminating timely price and weather- the conservation and rehabilitation of its environment. related information and statistics, providing strategic research and technical assistance, The legal and regulatory framework to increase production and CG6 and securing access to irrigation and water management systems. productivity for agriculture and livestock relies on functional environmental WG18-6.1 management and environmental resources. Range management policies and laws need to be founded on the principle of sustainability. The use of environmentally harmful pesticides, such as DDT, must be deterred. The introduction of any alien or genetically modified crop or other species is regulated in terms of the Environment Law.

CG6 Counter narcotics: By end-2010, the Government will design and implement programmes The introduction of any alien or genetically modified crop in the place of to achieve a sustained annual reduction in the amount of land under poppy and other drug poppy is regulated in terms of the Environment Law. WG18-6.1 cultivation, by the strengthening and diversification of licit livelihoods and other counter- Social and environmental assessments of eradication techniques, such AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 31

narcotics measures, as part of the overall goal of a decrease in the absolute and relative as aerial spraying, should be conducted. size of the drug economy in line with the Government’s MDG target. Licit agriculture livelihoods require environmental sustainability (i.e. irrigation supply, access to land, control over natural resources, erosion control) to eventually compete with the financial consistency of poppy. Comprehensive rural development: By end-2010: Rural development will be enhanced Community based natural resource management (CBNRM) principles comprehensively for the benefit of 19 million people in over 38,000 villages; this will be should be incorporated into rural development initiatives. achieved through the election of at least a further 14,000 voluntary community Development of environment resource management and dispute development councils in all remaining villages, promoting local governance and resolution capability at the community and district levels should be community empowerment; access to safe drinking water will be extended to 90% of encouraged. villages and sanitation to 50%; road connectivity will reach 40% of all villages, increasing CG6 access to markets, employment and social services; 47% of villages will benefit from Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordance WG19-6.2 small-scale irrigation; 800,000 households (22% of all Afghanistan’s households) will with the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to rural benefit from improved access to financial services; and livelihoods of at least 15% of the infrastructure projects. rural population will be supported through the provision of 91 million labour days. The air and water quality, waste management and pollution control regulations and management services and natural resource policies will also apply to rural development. Environmental public awareness raising is required in rural areas. g) Sector 7: Social protection

Humanitarian and disaster response: By end-2010, an effective system of disaster The environmental dimensions of disasters, especially in relation to preparedness and response will be in place. mitigation of and response to natural and industrial disasters, need to be CG7 incorporated into relevant policies and plans. WG20-7.1 Natural resource management policies, legislation and programmes will contribute to disaster mitigation and subsequent rehabilitation.

CG7 Disabled: By end-2010, increased assistance will be provided to meet the special needs Training and employment programs for environmental and natural of all disabled people, including their integration in society through opportunities for resource based livelihoods should be open to all Afghan citizens. WG21-7.2 education and gainful employment.

Employment of Youth and Demobilised Soldiers: By end-2010, employment opportunities Youth groups are powerful civil society organisations. Awareness of for youth and demobilised soldiers will be increased through special programmes. environmental issues should be incorporated into the programmes CG7 developed for youths. WG21-7.2 Technical and vocational programs for environmental and natural resource-related employment should be extend to youth and demobilised soldiers.

Refugees and IDPs: By end-2010, all refugees opting to return and internally displaced The impact of returning refugees and IDPs on rural environmental persons will be provided assistance for rehabilitation and integration in their local resources and urban reticulation systems (especially water supply, CG7 communities; and their integration will be supported by national development sanitation and waste disposal) requires consideration. WG21-7.2 programmes, particularly in key areas of return. Technical and vocational programmes for environmental and natural resource-related employment should be extend to refugees and IDPs.

32 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

Vulnerable women: By end-2010, the number of female-headed households that are Chronically poor women play decisive and important roles in managing chronically poor will be reduced by 20%, and their employment rates will be increased by and conserving biodiversity, water, land and other natural resources for 20%. household livelihood and health. Yet their centrality is often ignored and not fully understood. CG7 Inclusion of women in environment and natural resource-based livelihoods programmes in urban and rural areas is crucial to help attain WG21-7.2 this benchmark.

Lack of legal recognition and access to land title hinders women from earning a living from natural resources; thus the development of regimes of utilisation for natural resources and associated legal ability to access land is necessary.

CG7 Counter narcotics: By end-2010, the Government will implement programmes to reduce None. WG21-7.2 the demand for narcotics and provide improved treatment for drug users. h) Sector 8: Economic Governance and Private Sector Development

Financial management: By end-2007, the Government will ensure improved transparent Environmental mainstreaming extends to financial management of financial management at the central and provincial levels through establishing and environmental and natural resource management activities. CG8 meeting benchmarks for financial management agreed with and monitored by the Implementation of environmental management will take place at all levels international community, including those in the anticipated Poverty Reduction Growth – national, provincial, district and community – requiring a functional WG22-8.1 Facility (PRGF). In turn and in line with improved government accountability, donors will financial management system to instil donor confidence in allocating more make more effort to increase the share of total external assistance to Afghanistan that assistance directly to the Core Budget. goes to the Core Budget.

Putting in place a medium term fiscal framework [from ANDS]: The MTFF guides the Ministries and other governmental authorities are responsible for allocation of all budgetary resources from 1387, and Government will prepare a medium allocating adequate funding for legally mandated or programmatic term expenditure framework for the 1388 budget and subsequent budgets. priorities related to the environment during the budget preparation CG8 process. WG22-8.1 The Ministry of Finance should establish either a specific environmental focal point, or a cross-cutting review committee to review Ministry budgets for appropriate allocations based on legal mandates and programmatic needs.

Domestic revenues: Afghanistan’s total domestic budgetary revenue – equivalent to 4.5% None. of estimated legal GDP in 1383 (2004/05) – will steadily increase and reach 8% of GDP CG8 by 1389 (2010/11). The ratio of revenue to estimated total recurrent expenditures, including estimated recurrent expenditures in the core and external development budgets, WG22-8.1 is projected to rise from 28% in 1383 (2004/05) to an estimated 58% in 1389, resulting in a continuing need, in accord with the principles in Annex II, for (1) external assistance to the Core Budget and (2) increasing cost-effectiveness of assistance that funds recurrent

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 33

expenditure though the external development budget.

Financial services and markets: Internationally accepted prudential regulations will be None. CG8 developed for all core sectors of banking and non-bank financial institutions by end-2007. The banking supervision function of Da Afghanistan Bank will be further strengthened by WG22-8.1 end-2007. Re-structuring of state-owned commercial banks will be complete by end-2007. State-owned banks that have not been re-licensed will be liquidated by end-2006.

Private sector development and trade: All legislation, regulations and procedures related The relevant regulatory provisions of the Environment Law and upcoming to investment will be simplified and harmonised by end-2006 and implemented by end- regulations that relate to environmental impact assessment and pollution CG8 2007. New business organisation laws will be tabled in the National Assembly by end- control must be complied with. WG23-8.2 2006. The Government’s strategy for divestment of State-Owned Enterprises will be The legal, regulatory and procedural framework for must consider the role implemented by end-2009. of the private sector in environmental management.

Regional Cooperation: By end-2010: Afghanistan and its neighbours will achieve lower Transboundary trade in banned or restricted goods (such as ozone transit times through Afghanistan by means of cooperative border management and other depleting substances and endangered species) must be deterred through multi-lateral or bilateral trade and transit agreements; Afghanistan will increase the regional border cooperation. amount of electricity available through bilateral power purchase and cross border hydro CG8 Several environmental issues and geographical areas of significance projects; and Afghanistan and its neighbours will reach agreements to enable Afghanistan require regional cooperation for effective management. WG23-8.2 to import skilled labour from its neighbours and to enable Afghans to seek work in the region and send remittances home. Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordance with the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to cross-border infrastructure projects.

34 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

Afghanistan Compact Matrix for Capturing Progress of Process Indicators In line with Afghanistan's MDGs, environmental regulatory frameworks and management services will be established for the protection of air and water quality, waste Benchmark management and pollution control, and natural resource policies will be developed and implementation started at all levels of government as well as the community level, 3.7 Environment by 2010. Version 29 April 2008

Responsible Agencies National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), UNEP, EC, Government of Finland, other potential donors

Milestone Indicator or its Components [lead agencies] Milestone Milestone Milestone Weight relative to 10 indicators Milestone 1 Milestone 2 Milestone 3 Milestone 4 Milestone 5 Milestone 6 Milestone 7 Milestone 8 Milestone 9 Milestone 10 11 12 13

1 Environment Milestone Drafting of Stakeholder Stakeholder Revision of Submission Consultation Submission Submission Submission to Submission to Gazette Training of Training of Law detail law consultation consultation draft law of draft law with to - and to - and - and and approval notification staff of judiciary in [NEPA, on the draft on the draft to MoJ stakeholders approval of approval of approval of of the revised of the final NEPA and the UNEP] law at law at central and revision the revised the revised the revised draft law by law other interpretation Weight: 20 % provincial level of draft law draft law by - draft law by - draft law by - the stakeholder and level the the cabinet the Parliament insitutions on application legislative environment interpretation of the law. committee of commissions and the cabinet of the Wolesi application and of the law. Meshrano Jirga Weight Target date Dec-07 Jun-09 Achievement Jun-04 Mar-05 Apr-05 Apr-05 May-05 Nov-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Nov-06 Jan-07 Mar-07 Dec-07 date

2 Ozone Milestone Drafting of Stakeholder Revision of Submission Consultation Submission Gazette Deliver Deliver Deliver Regulations detail regulations consultation draft of draft with to - and notification Customs Customs Customs [NEPA, on the draft regulations regulations to stakeholders approval of of the final Officers Officers Officers UNEP] regulations at MoJ and revision the revised regulations Training Training Training Weight: 7 % central level of draft draft Programme Programme Programme regulations regulations and and Regional and Regional by - the Regional Cooperation Cooperation legislative Cooperation Workshop in Workshop in committee Workshop in combating combating of the combating illegal trade in illegal trade in cabinet illegal trade Ozone Ozone in Ozone Depleting Depleting Depleting Substances Substances Substances (ODS) in the (ODS) in the (ODS) in the Region. Region. Region. Herat (25 Nangarhar Kabul (35 custom (25 custom custom officers) officers) officers) Weight Target date Mar-08 Jul-08 Nov-08

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 35

Achievement May-05 Oct-05 Dec-05 Dec-05 Mar-06 Jul-06 6-Aug-06 Mar-08 date

3 EIA Milestone Drafting of Stakeholder Revision of Submission Consultation Submission Gazette Training of Training of Regulations detail regulations consultation draft of draft with to - and notification staff of judiciary in [NEPA, on the draft regulations regulations to stakeholders approval of of the final NEPA and the UNEP] regulations at MoJ and revision the revised regulations other interpretation Weight: 10 % central level of draft draft stakeholder and regulations regulations insitutions on application of by - the interpretation the legislative and regulations. committee application of the of the cabinet regulations. Weight Target date Nov-07 Nov-07 Mar-08 Mar-09 Mar-09 Achievement Nov-06 Feb-07 Mar-07 Apr-07 Oct-07 Mar-08 date

4 EIA Milestone Drafting of Stakeholder Revision of Approval and Training of Administrative detail guidelines consultation draft issuance of staff of Guidelines on the draft administrative administrative NEPA and [NEPA, administrative guidelines guidelines by other UNEP] guidelines at NEPA stakeholder Weight: 5 % central level through insitutions on executive interpretation order and application of the guidelines. Weight Target date Apr-08 May-08 Jun-08 Jun-09 Achievement Nov-06 date

5 Preparation Recruitment Research Stakeholder Revision of Approval Training of Set up an Establishment Establishment Periodic of TOR's for of expert and drafting consultation draft policy and staff of insitutional of sampling of laboratory publication expert of policy on the draft issuance of NEPA and system for system and and training of results. policy at policy by other monitoring training of of technicians Milestone central level NEPA stakeholder technicians Air Quality detail through insitutions on Policy executive interpretation [NEPA, order and UNEP, Donor application to be of the policy. identified] Weight: 7 % Weight Target date Apr-08 Jul-08 Nov-08 Jan-09 Jun-09 Dec-09 Dec-10 Jun-11 Jun-12 Jun-12 Dec-12

Achievement Apr-08 date

36 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

6 Drinking Milestone Preparation Recruitment Research Stakeholder Revision of Approval Training of Set up an Establishment Establishment Periodic Water Quality detail of TOR's for of expert and drafting consultation draft policy and staff of insitutional of sampling of laboratory publication Policy expert of policy on the draft issuance of NEPA and system for system and and training of results. [NEPA, policy at policy by other monitoring training of of technicians UNEP, Donor central level NEPA stakeholder technicians to be through insitutions on identified] executive interpretation Weight: 7 % order and application of the policy. Weight Target date Apr-08 Jul-08 Nov-08 Jan-09 Jun-09 Dec-09 Dec-10 Jun-11 Jun-12 Jun-12 Dec-12 Achievement Apr-08 date

7 Waste Milestone Preparation Recruitment Research Stakeholder Revision of Approval Training of Set up an Management detail of TOR's for of expert and drafting consultation draft policy and staff of insitutional Policy expert of policy on the draft issuance of NEPA and system for [NEPA, policy at policy by other monitoring UNEP] central level NEPA stakeholder Weight: 7 % through insitutions on executive interpretation order and application of the policy. Weight Target date Apr-08 Jul-08 Nov-08 Jan-09 Jun-09 Dec-09 Dec-10 Jun-11 Achievement Apr-08 date

8 Pollution Milestone Drafting of Stakeholder Revision of Approval and Training of Set up an Control detail policy consultation draft policy issuance of staff of insitutional Policy[NEPA, on the draft policy by NEPA and system for UNEP]Weight: policy at NEPA other monitoring 7 % central level through stakeholder executive insitutions on order interpretation and application of the policy. Weight Target date Jun-08 Jun-09 Jun-10 Achievement Mar-06 Jan-07 Nov-07 date

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 37

9 Environmental Milestone Preparation Recruitment Research Stakeholder Revision of Approval Quality detail of TOR's for of expert and drafting consultation draft and Standards expert of policy on the draft standards issuance of (air, water, standards at standards pollution central level by NEPA control) through [NEPA, executive UNEP, Donor order to be Weight identified] Weight: 10 % Target date Apr-08 Jul-08 Nov-08 Jan-09 Jun-09 Dec-09 Achievement Apr-08 date

10 Institutional Milestone Drafting and Drafting and Recruitment Recruitment Initiation of Initiation of Capacity of 3 Capacity of Capacity of Capacity of Capacity of Capacity of Capacity of Development detail Approval of Approval of of NEPA staff of NEPA staff training of provision of provincial additional 5 additional 5 additional 5 additional 5 additional 5 additional 6 and Capacity PRR Stage 1 PRR Stage 2 under the under the NEPA staff capital NEPA provincial provincial provincial provincial provincial provincial Building for PRR at PRR at equipment offices NEPA NEPA offices NEPA offices NEPA NEPA NEPA Env. central level provincial for NEPA strengthened offices strengthened strengthened offices offices offices Management level strengthened strengthened strengthened strengthened [NEPA, Weight UNEP, Donor to be Target date Mar-09 Dec-08 Dec-09 Dec-10 Dec-11 Dec-12 Dec-13 Dec-14 identified] Weight: 20 % Achievement Mar-05 Aug-05 Jun-07 Dec-04 Jun-04 date

MAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock MEW Ministry of Energy and Water MoF Ministry of Finance NEPA National Environmental Protection Agency

38 AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)