Afghan Officials Voice Concern Over Deforestation

Text of report by Afghan independent Ariana TV on 5 June

[Presenter] Officials at the Nangarhar Province Environmental Protection Department have told the media that a number of powerful individuals violently cut trees in this eastern province and smuggle them into other countries.

[Correspondent] A number of officials made speeches in a ceremony held to celebrate the World Environment Day, concentrating on the worsening environmental problems.

Officials said that one of the reasons for environmental pollution was the expansion of cities, the increase in population and vehicles and consumption of products.

Engineer Shah Mahmud Mohmand, the head of the Environmental Protection Department in Nangarhar Province, yet again mentioned the problem of deforestation in the eastern zone, adding that powerful individuals were violently cutting trees.

The official asserted that green forests would prevent pollution and provide a better environment for the people.

Officials at this department voiced concern over deforestation, saying that various diseases caused by pollution would spread if the government failed to cooperate with them properly.

Although security officials have told reports on occasions that they prevented deforestation in their areas, the people demanded the government to tackle deforestation and take serious measures to plant trees and expand forests.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring South Asia. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.