Forestry
2011 is the UN International Year of Forests.
It is reported that between 2000 and 2010, the world's total forest area decreased at an annual rate of 5.2 million hectares, equivalent to the size of Costa Rica, states the 2010 Global Forest Resources Assessment. Forests support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people globally, house 80 percent of the world's bio-diversity and reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
The Sheikhadbad Community Forest programme (implemented by Afghanaid and funded by the EC) in Khushkak Dara Village has provided for 30,000 saplings to be cultivated and planted in the 10,000 trenches which line a small mountain towering over the village.A small resevior has been built at the apex to channel water down to thenew saplings and herbs which have now ‘rooted' themselves in this once barren mountain. Looking across the valley much of the hill and mountainside has been over farmed, ranged and eroded.
The community forestry leaders of Khushkak Dara (approximately 16) have used the forestry programme to reclaim this land. The saplings -apricot, pistachio, and almond - will bear fruit in about 8 years. Until this time the alfalfa and herbs - lavender and sage - on the ground will be harvested and used in the community for food and livestock fodder.
When the saplings were initially planted they found that the foxes would eat them over night. So the community taped the sound of dogs barking and played this in the evenings. This put an end to the foxes coming through and allows the saplings to establish themselves. There are two guards who oversee the security of the land and prevent fox, goats, etc from grazing on the land. What was once a threat to the community and barren plain is now a fragrant oasis with great potential.