GHOR (SW) – Officials in Ghor have blamed the Taliban for destroying and setting fire to dozens of acres of farmland and fruit trees in the province.
According to governor for Chaharsada district Ezatullah Azizi, the Taliban fighters first destroyed and then set fire to more than 179 acres of agricultural land, pastures and more than 25,000 trees. He said the Taliban did this to take revenge from the residents of Meng village who support the government and security forces. He added this has dealt a severe blow to the economy and wildlife here.
Habibullah Anwari, a resident of Ghor, said farmers and gardeners heavily depended on these trees and land for their income. Zabihullah, another resident of Ghor, sees the destruction and burning of forests as a blow to the environment and wildlife.
The Taliban are yet to comment on this.
However, environmentalists call the destruction of trees and fertile land against environmental law and have called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. “According to the Law on Forests and Grasslands, anyone cutting a tree without a valid reason can be sentenced to at least two months in prison,” said Abdul Zahir Tavana, an environmental expert.
Chaharsada district, which is located 100 km north of Ferozkoh, the capital of Ghor province, is one of the most insecure districts in the province.
The roads of this district have been closed to the traffic for more than 6 years now.
ENDS
