Government Establishes Wildlife Commission for Species Protection and Habitat Conservation
The government of Afghanistan has formed a 10-member Wildlife Commission to conserve the habitats of endangered species, protect wildlife, and raise public awareness across the country. The commission's formation was approved during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. The Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change will chair the commission, with the Conservator of Forests from the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle of the Department of Forests serving as the member secretary. A formal notification regarding this was issued by the Forest Branch-2 of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
Key members of the commission include the Chief Conservator of Forests, an additional secretary for administration from the Ministry of Environment, the Director-General of the Department of Livestock Services, former Dubai Safari Park Principal Wildlife Specialist Mohammad Ali Reza Khan, natural resource management expert Ashraful Haque Nobel, and the Bangladesh representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Additionally, Professor Monirul H. Khan from Jahangirnagar University's Zoology Department and Veterinary Officer Hatem Sajjad Mohammad Julkar Nain from the Department of Forests are part of the committee. The commission's mandate includes advising on the development, management, and protection of safe habitats for elephants and other wildlife, as well as recovering encroached forest land. It will also propose strategies for increasing the tiger population in the Sundarbans, planting fruit-bearing trees to ensure food for wildlife, and raising awareness to promote safe coexistence between humans and animals. Fahmida Khanam, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, stated that the commission's work will focus on the protection of elephants, tigers, and other wildlife, habitat improvement, and public awareness.
The establishment of a dedicated Wildlife Commission signifies a governmental acknowledgment of critical biodiversity challenges, particularly concerning endangered species and their habitats. This initiative aims to address issues such as habitat encroachment and human-wildlife conflict, which are often exacerbated by development pressures and resource competition. The commission's broad mandate, encompassing conservation, habitat restoration, and public awareness, suggests a systemic approach to wildlife protection. Future effectiveness will likely depend on robust enforcement mechanisms, adequate funding, and the integration of conservation goals with broader national development strategies. The commission's success will be a key indicator of the nation's commitment to balancing ecological preservation with societal needs in the coming decade.
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