Afghanistan - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Much of the information on Afghanistan’s biodiversity is old and no longer reliable. Little significant information has been added since the onset of war in 1978. The few recent investigations have suggested that Afghanistan’s biodiversity has suffered enormously in the last three decades.

Afghanistan is comprised of 8 unique bio-geographical Provinces of which 7 belong to the Palaearctic Realm... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

The World Database of Protected Areas (UNEP-WCMC 2006) lists 15 protected areas in Afghanistan. Seven were provided with formal recognition by the Government of Afghanistan in the 1970s and are recognized by IUCN (one Category II national park and 6 Category IV wildlife or waterfowl reserves). However, none are officially recognized by the current government (as they were never formally gazetted), none have official boundaries and none are managed as protected areas... More »

Percentage of Forest Cover

Deciduous and evergreen true forests are limited to the monsoon-influenced eastern part of the country and once comprised about 5% of Afghanistan’s surface area. Recent analyses suggest that only 5% of these original forests may still exist. Open woodlands dominated by pistachio and juniper once comprised about 38% of Afghanistan... More »

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Afghanistan has not yet prepared its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). A proposal for funding to undertake this activity was submitted to GEF through UNEP in April 2006.

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Afghanistan’s post-conflict efforts to implement the Convention are currently focused on the development of its National Capacity Needs Self Assessment (NCSA) project, which is aimed at developing capacity to implement enabling activities under the Rio Conventions. The agreed priorities for implementation of the Convention, which are a combination of Convention obligations and 2010 targets, are the following: (1) Establish priority and feasible protected areas as legally recognized and effectively managed entities... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

This is a high Government priority. A regulatory and legislative framework for protected areas has been established. Work is underway to establish and effectively manage at least three protected areas by 2009.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

In view of Afghanistan’s recent history, low level of development and the current insecure environment, traditional knowledge is not as under threat as in many other countries. Accordingly, it is not an immediate priority action.

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

H.R.H. Prince Mostapha Zaher	CBD Primary NFP, ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Sayed Humayoon Jalal	Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety