Cross Purposes

New York, NY (June 28, 2006)–In a country known
more for conflict than conservation, a joint effort by the government
of Afghanistan and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and funded
by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has
been launched to protect the region’s unique wildlife and develop the
country’s first official system of protected areas.

"This is an important and exciting moment for Afghanistan, which
contains some of the most beautiful wild lands in Asia," said Peter
Zahler, Assistant Director for WCS’ Asia Program and a researcher in
the region
for over a decade. "Conservation is critical for recovery and stability
in a country where so many people directly depend on local natural resources
for their survival. Conservation can also inspire local communities and
even neighboring countries to work together to protect the region’s natural
heritage."

Specifically, five areas being considered by this
project for protected area status include the Pamir-I-Buzurg, Little
Pamir, and the Waghjir Valley–all located in the high Pamirs in an
area called the Wakhan Corridor–and Bande Amir and Ajar Valley, located
in the Central Plateau region.

from the Wildlife
Conservation Society

Is it possible to simultaneously wage an all-out
war against an implacable enemy, and protect the environment in which
the battle is beng waged? Possible or not, there is something deeply
disturbing in the whole idea..