Afghanistan Times
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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: Following reports on illegal hunting of birds by Arab nationals in western Farah province, officials said Monday that efforts have been taken to prevent this illegal act and save the rare birds of Afghanistan.
The acting governor of Farah, Mohammad Yunus Rasuli, said a military council was formed recently to prevent birds’ illegal hunting in the province and it is three weeks that Arab nationals have left the province.
“Illegal hunting of birds was banned after the presidential decree as well as the order of the National Security Council and the Ministry of Interior. The Arab nationals have left the province but some of them are still in Farah and pursuing their goals and projects,” he said, as quoted by Radio Azadi.
An official from Natural Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) said that around 200 Arab nationals have entered the Laash Joyan and Bagwa districts of Farah and have established camps in Khosipas area to hunt birds.
But officials said recently that a number of Arab nationals have built a mosque and a recreational place in the province which worth at least $10 million.
Earlier the head of Farah provincial council said that the Arab nationals are in the province under the name of building mosque and health clinics but they are busy in hunting a rare species of bird which is on the verge of extinction in Afghanistan.
Similarly, the deputy policy chief of NEPA, Abdul Wali Mudaqiq, said illegal hunting of rare birds has been ended in Farah. “The Arab nationals are from the United Arab Emirates which are in the province for some welfare projects. They have been informed about the rare birds in the province, but the hunting has been prevented,” he said.
According to NEPA, at least 138 species of different wild animals and birds need serious attention in Afghanistan. These species are on the verge of extinction.
Illegal hunting by Arab nationals several times rounded national and international media, but no vital attempt has been taken to stop this illegal effort.
