Local officials in Kunar say that because of the past two decades of conflict, Pakistan's missile attacks, and timber smuggling, around 3,000 hectares of forests in this province have been destroyed.

They add that with the cooperation of aid organizations, at least 300 hectares of these forests have so far been restored, and to prevent timber smuggling, Green Unit forces have also been activated in this province.

Kunar is one of the provinces where most areas are covered with forests, but these forests have suffered significant damage.

 “In the past 20 years, for various reasons including timber smuggling, bombings, and Pakistan’s missile attacks, nearly 3,000 hectares of forests have been destroyed. Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, extensive efforts have been made in this area, thanks to Allah. Under the leadership of the Department of Agriculture and with the cooperation of aid organizations, about 300 hectares of forests have been restored in various districts through the planting of fruit and non-fruit-bearing saplings,” said Sulaiman Ayman, head of Kunar's Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock.

Residents also express satisfaction with the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to restore the forests and call for more attention to this issue.
 “The forests that have been cut down should be replanted by the Islamic Emirate, and they should supervise them. Also, those who cut down forests should be punished,” said Shir Hassan, a resident of Kunar.

Noorullah, another resident of Kunar, added: “Saplings should be planted again in these areas, and councils made up of local people should be established to protect the forests so that they are not destroyed in the future.”

Another resident of this province, Islamuddin, said: “Cutting down forests leads to water shortages. Therefore, we ask the officials of the Islamic Emirate to prevent the cutting of forests.”

According to the Kunar Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 120 Green Unit forces have so far been deployed in various districts of this province. These forces have managed to seize about 16,000 cubic feet of timber that had been illegally cut from the forests.

The activity of Green Unit forces and the restoration of forests are considered an important step toward preserving natural resources and preventing further destruction of the province’s forests.