National Environment Strategy - Ministry of Mines

Environment Sector StrategyApproved by:Sector Responsible AuthoritiesDate of SubmissionDecember 2008

بسم االله الرحمن الرحيمIn the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most CompassionateVision for AfghanistanBy the solar year 1400 (2020), Afghanistan will be:• A stable Islamic constitutional democracy at peace with itself and its neighbors,standing with full dignity in the international family.• A tolerant, united, and pluralist nation that honors its Islamic heritage and deepaspirations toward participation, justice, and equal rights for all.• A society of hope and prosperity based on a strong, private sector-led marketeconomy, social equity, and environmental sustainability.ANDS Goals for 1387-1391 (2008-2013)The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) is a MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs)-based plan that serves as Afghanistan’s PovertyReduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). It is underpinned by the principles, pillars andbenchmarks of the Afghanistan Compact. The pillars and goals of the ANDS are:1. Security: Achieve nationwide stabilization, strengthen law enforcement, andimprove personal security for every Afghan.2. Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights: Strengthen democratic practice andinstitutions, human rights, the rule of law, delivery of public services andgovernment accountability.3. Economic and Social Development: Reduce poverty, ensure sustainabledevelopment through a private sector-led market economy, improve humandevelopment indicators, and make significant progress towards the MillenniumDevelopment Goals.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)I

ForewordFor the preparation of the Afghanistan National Development StrategyIIAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most CompassionateSix and half years ago, the people of Afghanistan and the international community joined hands toliberate Afghanistan from the grip of international terrorism and begin the journey to rebuild a nationstunned by a long past of violence, destruction and terror. We have come a long way in this sharedjourney.In just a few years, as a result of the partnership between Afghanistan and the international community,we were able to draw up a new, Constitution, embracing the values of democracy, freedom of speechand equal rights for women. Afghans voted in their first ever presidential elections and elected a newparliament. Close to five million Afghan refugees have returned home, making it one of the largestmovement of people to their homeland in history.Thousands of schools have been built; over six million boys and girls have been enrolled, the highestlevel ever for Afghanistan. Hundreds of health clinics have been established boosting our basic healthcoverage from 9 percent six years ago to over 85 percent today. Access to diagnostic and curative serviceshas increased from almost none in 2002 to more than forty percent now. We have rehabilitated 12,200 kmof roads. Our rapid economic growth, with double digit growth almost every year, has led to higherincome and better living conditions for our people. With a developing network of roads and a state-ofthe-artcommunications infrastructure, Afghanistan is better placed to serve as an economic land-bridgein our region.These achievements would not have been possible without the unwavering support of theinternational community and the strong determination of the Afghan people. I hasten to point outthat our achievements should not make us complacent distracting to face the enormity of the tasksthat are still ahead. The threat of terrorism and the menace of narcotics are still affecting Afghanistanand the broader region and hampering our development. Our progress is still undermined by thebetrayal of public trust by some functionaries of the state and uncoordinated and inefficient aiddelivery mechanisms. Strengthening national and sub-national governance and rebuilding ourjudiciary are also among our most difficult tasks.To meet these challenges, I am pleased to present Afghanistan’s National Development Strategy(ANDS). This strategy has been completed after two years of hard work and extensive consultationsaround the country. As an Afghan-owned blueprint for the development of Afghanistan in all spheresof human endeavor, the ANDS will serve as our nation’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. I amconfident that the ANDS will help us in achieving the Afghanistan Compact benchmarks andMillennium Development Goals. I also consider this document as our roadmap for the long-desiredobjective of Afghanization, as we transition towards less reliance on aid and an increase in selfsustainingeconomic growth.I thank the international community for their invaluable support. With this Afghan-owned strategy, Iask all of our partners to fully support our national development efforts. I am strongly encouraged tosee the participation of the Afghan people and appreciate the efforts of all those in the internationalcommunity and Afghan society who have contributed to the development of this strategy. Finally, Ithank the members of the Oversight Committee and the ANDS Secretariat for the preparation of thisdocument.Hamid KarzaiPresident of the Islamic Republic of AfghanistanAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)III

Message from the OversightCommitteeFor the preparation of the Afghanistan National Development StrategyIVAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most CompassionateWe are pleased to present the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, which reflects thecommitment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to poverty reduction and private sector-ledeconomic growth for a prosperous and stable Afghanistan. The ANDS Oversight Committee (OSC)was mandated by the Government to produce a Millennium Development Goals-based nationalstrategy that is Afghan-owned and meets the requirements for a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.The OSC met on a regular basis to design, discuss and oversee the development of the strategy,including the identification of the needs and grievances of the people, and the prioritization ofresource allocations and actions. To embrace ‘Afghanization” and ownership, the OSC facilitatedinclusive and extensive consultations both at national and sub-national levels.Sustained fiscal support and continuous evaluation and monitoring are essential now to meet thechallenges ahead related to ANDS implementation. The democratic aspirations of the Afghan peopleare high, yet financial resources remain limited. While much has been accomplished since 2001, moreremains to be done as we move from “Compact to Impact”. The Afghan Government with supportfrom the international community must act decisively, strategically, and with an absolutecommitment to the ANDS goals and vision.We look forward to working with our government colleagues, civil society representatives, tribalelders and religious scholars, the private sector, the international community and, most importantly,fellow Afghans to implement the ANDS, to help realize the Afghanistan Compact benchmarks andMillennium Development Goals.Prof. Ishaq NadiriSenior Economic Advisor tothe PresidentChair, ANDS and JCMBAhmad Zia MasoudFirst Vice-PresidentDr. Rangin Dadfar SpantaMinister of Foreign AffairsDr. Anwar-ul-Haq AhadyMinister of FinanceDr. Sarwar DanishMinister of JusticeDr. Amin FarhangMinister of Commerce andIndustryDr. Jalil ShamsMinister of EconomyDr. Zalmay RassoulNational Security AdvisorHaneef AtmarMinister of EducationAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)V

AcknowledgmentsFor the preparation of the Afghanistan National Development StrategyVIAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most CompassionateThe Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) could not have been developed without thegenerous contribution of many individuals and organizations. The ANDS was finalized under theguidance of the Oversight Committee, appointed by HE President Hamid Karzai and chaired by H.E.Professor Ishaq Nadiri, Senior Economic Advisor to the President and Chair of the ANDS OversightCommittee. The committee included: H.E. Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs;Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady, Minister of Finance; H.E. Jalil Shams, Minister of Economy; H.E. SarwarDanish, Minister of Justice; H.E. Haneef Atmar, Minister of Education; H.E. Amin Farhang, Ministerof Commerce; and H.E. Zalmai Rassoul, National Security Advisor.We would like to sincerely thank the First Vice-President and Chair of the Economic Council, H.E.Ahmad Zia Massoud. Special thanks are also due to H.E. Hedayat Amin Arsala, Senior Minister andH.E. Waheedulah Shahrani, Deputy Minister of Finance and the Ministry of Finance team. Inaddition, we would like to thank the Supreme Court, the National Assembly, Government Ministriesand Agencies, Provincial Authorities, Afghan Embassies abroad, national Commissions, the Office ofthe President, Civil Society Organizations, and International Community.All Ministers, deputy ministers and their focal points, religious leaders, tribal elders, civil societyleaders, all Ambassadors and representatives of the international community in Afghanistan; and allAfghan citizens. National and international agencies participated actively in the ANDS consultations.Their contributions, comments and suggestions strengthened the sectoral strategies, ensuring theirpractical implementation. Thanks are also due to the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation andDevelopment for their significant contributions to the subnational consultations. Special thanks arefurther due to the President’s Advisors, Daud Saba and Noorullah Delawari for their contributions, aswell as Mahmoud Saikal for his inputs. We are also indebted to the Provincial Governors and theirstaff for their contributions, support and hospitality to the ANDS staff.Special thanks go to Wahidullah Waissi, ANDS/PRS Development Process Manager, for hisinvaluable contribution and for the efforts of his team of young Afghan professionals who dedicatedthemselves tirelessly to completing the I-ANDS, Afghanistan Compact and the full ANDS inconsultation with both national and international partners. The Sector Coordinators includedRahatullah Naeem, Farzana Rashid Rahimi, Shakir Majeedi, Attaullah Asim, Mohammad IsmailRahimi, Zalmai Allawdin, Hedayatullah Ashrafi, Shukria Kazemi, Saifurahman Ahmadzai, and; theSub-National Consultations Team consisted of Mohammad Yousuf Ghaznavi, Mohammad FahimMehry, Shahenshah Sherzai, Hekmatullah Latifi, Sayed Rohani and Osman Fahim; and Malik Sharaf,Naim Hamdard, Saleem Alkozai, Ahmadullah Kakar, Mir Ahmad Tayeb Waizy, Sayed ShahAminzai, Khwaga Kakar and Mohammad Kazim. Thanks to Nematullah Bizhan for his specialcontribution from the JCMB Secretariat. We are also indebted to the many national and internationaladvisers who supported this effort. In particular, we would like to thank Zlatko Hurtic, Paul O’Brien,Jim Robertson, Barnett Rubin, Peter Middlebrook, Richard Ponzio, Anita Nirody, Shakti Sinha, AshokNigam, Christopher Alexander and Ameerah Haq.Finally, I would like to thank all who contributed towards this endeavor in preparation of the firstAfghanistan National Development Strategy, a milestone in our country’s history and a nationalcommitment towards economic growth and poverty reduction in Afghanistan.Adib Farhadi,Director, Afghanistan National Development Strategy, andJoint Coordination and Monitoring Board SecretariatThe complete list of contributors to this Sector Strategy is on the next page.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)VII

The Environment Strategy was developed as a result of the commitment and efforts of members ofkey Afghan ministries, donors, civil society and the private sector.The contribution of HE Mostapha Zaher, Director-General of the National Environmental ProtectionAgency and Eng. Dad Mohammad Baheer, Deputy Director-General of the National EnvironmentalProtection Agency, has been invaluable in the development of this sector strategy.Finally, we would like to thank everyone who assisted the ANDS Secretariat in working to developthe Environment Strategy. We look forward to the firm commitment of all our stakeholdersthroughout the implementation of this strategy.Certainly, contributions to the Environment Strategy will remain key to the success of this strategy inparticular, and of the ANDS in general.Special thanks also go to the following for their valued help and support:Said Mohammad Rahimi, Head of Policy and Planning, National Environmental Protection Agency(NEPA), and Asif Zaidi, Program Manager, Erin Hannan, Environmental Policy Expert, FatemahShams, Associate Programme Officer, Abdul Wali Modaqiq, National Project Coordinator andBelinda Bowling, Environmental Law and International Conventions Expert from the United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP)..VIIIAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) IX

XAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) XI

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................................. 1INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 1CAPTER I ............................................................................................................................................................. 3SITUATIONAL CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 3State of Environment..................................................................................................................................... 3Institutional Framework and Capacity Assessment...................................................................................... 6Legislative Framework................................................................................................................................... 8International Regulatory Framework (MEAs).............................................................................................. 9Government Budgetary Allocations .............................................................................................................. 9International Partners ................................................................................................................................... 9Relationship with other ANDS Cross-Cutting Issues................................................................................. 10A. Gender............................................................................................................................................................10B. Regional Cooperation...................................................................................................................................11C. Capacity Building and Institutional Reform .............................................................................................11D. Counter Narcotics.........................................................................................................................................11E. Anti-Corruption............................................................................................................................................11Most important Challenges for the National Environment Strategy.......................................................... 11CAPTER II.......................................................................................................................................................... 13MAINSTREAMING ENVIRONMENT: APPROACHES AND PRIORITIES.......................................................... 13Strategic Vision and Goals: ......................................................................................................................... 13Vision .......................................................................................................................................................................13Goals ........................................................................................................................................................................13Priority Programme Areas for NEPA ......................................................................................................... 13A. Training and Capacity Building .................................................................................................................13B. Legal and Regulatory Frameworks ............................................................................................................13C. Environmental Education, Awareness and Outreach..............................................................................14D. Environmental Information and Policy .....................................................................................................14Priority Programme Areas, Desired Outcomes and Inputs & Outputs for Environmental Management: 15CAPTER III........................................................................................................................................................ 19THEMATIC STRATEGIES ................................................................................................................................. 19Forestry and Rangeland............................................................................................................................... 19A. Issues ..............................................................................................................................................................19B. Desired Outcomes ........................................................................................................................................19C. Corresponding Sectors.................................................................................................................................20Protected Areas and Biodiversity................................................................................................................. 20D. Issues ..............................................................................................................................................................20E. Desired Outcomes ........................................................................................................................................20F. Corresponding Sector...................................................................................................................................20Water and Wetlands .................................................................................................................................... 20A. Issues ..............................................................................................................................................................21B. Desired Outcomes ........................................................................................................................................21C. Corresponding Sectors.................................................................................................................................21D. Population Growth in Kabul.......................................................................................................................22E. Urban and Industrial Environmental Management.................................................................................22Environmental Education and Awareness .................................................................................................. 22CAPTER IV........................................................................................................................................................ 25IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING ........................................................................................................ 25a) Sector 1: Security...........................................................................................................................................26b) Sector 2: Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights...........................................................................27c) Sector 3: Infrastructure and Natural Resources ........................................................................................29d) Sector 4: Education .......................................................................................................................................30e) Sector 5: Health .............................................................................................................................................31f) Sector 6: Agriculture and Rural Development..........................................................................................31

g) Sector 7: Social protection............................................................................................................................32h) Sector 8: Economic Governance and Private Sector Development ........................................................33

Acronyms and AbbreviationsIAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

ACACCADBANDSCCCGCGCITESCMSECEIAGEFIPCJCMBAfghanistan CompactAfghan Conservation CorpsAsian Development BankAfghanistan National DevelopmentStrategyCross Cutting Consultative GroupConsultative GroupConvention on International Trade inEndangered SpeciesConvention on Migratory SpeciesEuropean CommissionEnvironmental Impact AssessmentGlobal Environmental FacilityIntegrated Pollution ControlJoint Coordination and MonitoringBoardMDG Millennium Development GoalsMEAs Multilateral Environmental AgreementsMIWRE Ministry of Irrigation Water Resourcesand EnvironmentNAPWA National Action Plan for the Women ofAfghanistanNEPA National Environmental ProtectionAgencyODS Ozone Depleting SubstancesOSC Oversight CommitteePA Protected AreaPAHs Poly Aromatic HydrocarbonsPOPs Persistent Organic PollutantsPRR Priority Reform and RestructuringTWG Technical Working GroupUNCBD United Nations Convention on BiologicalDiversityUNCCD United Nations Convention to CombatDesertificationUNEP United Nations Environment ProgrammeUNFCCC United Nations Framework Conventionon Climate ChangeUNOPS United Nations Office for Project ServicesUSAID United States Agency for InternationalDevelopmentUSDA United States Department of AgricultureWB World BankWCS Wildlife Conservation SocietyAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)II

IIIAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

ExecutiveSummaryThe National Environment Strategy aims toimprove the quality of life of the people ofAfghanistan through conservation, protectionand improvement of the country’senvironment.The Strategy uses a mainstreaming approachto provide direction for the integration ofenvironmental issues and policies intoAfghanistan’s development priorities in ordercontribute to increased economic growth andpoverty reduction.The following goals shall be achieved:• Secure a clean and healthy environmentfor the people of Afghanistan.• Attain sustainable economic and socialdevelopment while protecting the naturalresource base and the environment of thecountry.• Ensure effective management of thecountry’s environment throughparticipation of all stakeholders.The present National Environment Strategyfocuses on two Priority Objectives and lays outsix Thematic Strategies:Priority Objectives:Environmental GovernanceEnvironmental ManagementThematic Strategies:Forestry and RangelandProtected Areas and BiodiversityWater and WetlandsAir QualityUrban and Industrial Environmental ManagementEnvironmental Education and AwarenessAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 1

INTRODUCTIONEnvironment is reflected twice within theANDS framework. In its narrow sectoralsense, it is an Afghanistan Compactbenchmark that falls within the ambit of theNatural Resources and Environment WorkingGroup (WG14–3.6) of the Infrastructure andNatural Resources Consultative Group (CG3).In its broader sense, environment is also across-cutting issue which needs to bemainstreamed within Afghanistan’s broaderdevelopment framework. More specifically,environment must be mainstreamed in eachprogramme area through the development ofpolicy benchmarks to ensure that government,donors and implementing agencies followestablished norms with respect to theincorporation of environmental considerationsinto the design and implementation ofprojects, and provide adequate oversight andmonitoring of the environmental impacts ofhumanitarian and development projects.As a cross-cutting issue, the responsibilities forenvironmental decision-making are sharedamong different actors and different levels ofpolicy. NEPA functions as the overallregulatory, policy-making and coordinationbody while line Ministries, as well as somegovernment agencies and sub-nationalgovernment authorities, are responsible for theground level management of environmentaland natural resources. NEPA thus representsthe first example of a governmentalenvironmental authority in Afghanistan.However, the development and function ofenvironmental governance and environmentalmanagement relies on more than oneinstitution.Environment, as defined by the EnvironmentLaw and carried forward into this Strategy,includes the physical, biological and humancomponents of Afghanistan as well as theinteractions between these components.Environment in itself is an integrated conceptcomprised of multiple interactions.Correspondingly, environmental managementshould be based upon the physical and socialinteractions that affect the overall status of theenvironment, including natural resources.Environmental governance is the foundationfrom which environmental management isconducted. Environmental governance is thebroad process by which institutions, policies,management and information tools andstakeholders are coordinated to enableenvironmental management.Sound environmental governance andmanagement will help to establish thenecessary conditions for sustainable economicgrowth and social development. In practiceenvironmental management factors areessential considerations in all social andeconomic development programmes(returnees, health, education, trade andinvestments, mining and industry), as well asin infrastructure-related investment (such as intransport, energy or urban sectors). Similarly,sustainable resource management lies at thecore of the agriculture, water, urbandevelopment, land, forestry and pastoralsectors. The link between poverty andenvironment in natural resource dependent,least developed countries like Afghanistan iswell-established and accepted: unless naturalresources are sustainably managed and used,Afghans are unlikely to ever escape the cycleof poverty in which many, both rural andurban populations, currently live.Mainstreaming systematically takes intoconsideration environmental issues as early aspossible in the decision-making process wheredecisions can best benefit from environmentalopportunities and avoid negative impacts onthe environment. In this way, mainstreamingcan help align policies, programmes andoperations with the long-term requirements ofsustainable development, help modernisedevelopment policy content and procedures,and promote a pro-active approach ratherthan responding to impacts as they unfold.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 1

The main challenge to environmentalmainstreaming is finding a strategic nexus andcompatibility between development prioritiesand environmental management objectiveswhere tradeoffs can be addressedpragmatically and capitalize on potentialopportunities that benefit both environmentalresources and functions and developmentpriorities. Environmental mainstreaming is,therefore, a policy principle, placing theenvironment at par with economic and socialaspects of decision-making.The National Environment Strategy recognizesthe nascent history of environmentalmanagement in Afghanistan. Therefore itfocuses on developing NEPA’s capacity andability to perform its regulatory, coordinationand policy-making duties which will comprisethe ongoing platform to mainstreamenvironment through environmentalmanagement, including the ANDSbenchmarks and MDG goals for environment.MDG Goal 7: Ensure environmentalsustainabilityIntegrate the principles ofsustainable development intocountry policies and programsand reverse the loss ofenvironmental resourcesHalve, by 2015, the proportionof people without sustainableaccess to safe drinking waterHave achieved, by 2020, asignificant improvement in thelives of at least 100 million slumdwellers• Proportion of land area covered by forest• Ratio of area protected to maintain biological diversity to surfacearea• Energy use per unit of GDP• Carbon dioxide emissions (per capita) and consumption of ozonedepletingchlorofluorocarbons• Proportion of population using solid fuels• Proportion of population with sustainable access to an improvedwater source, urban and rural• Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation• Proportion of households with access to secure tenure2AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CAPTER ISITUATIONAL CONTEXTSTATE OF ENVIRONMENTApproximately 80% of the population ofAfghanistan directly relies on the naturalresource base of the country to meet its dailyneeds. In 2003, the UNEP post-conflictenvironmental assessment in Afghanistanfound that many livelihoods are under threatby the alarming degree of environmentaldegradation caused by a combination ofconflict, poverty, population growth andsurvival tactics. Already, the lack of basicnatural resources, such as clean water orpastures, has lead to the collapse of manyrural livelihoods, turning many people intoenvironmental refugees and increasingpopulation pressures in urban centres.The decline in the country’s natural resourcebased has increased vulnerability to naturaldisasters and food shortages, thereby furtherincreasing poverty and decreasingopportunities for sustainable livelihoods.Human health is also directly threatened bypollution hotspots and inadequate wastemanagement and sanitation practices.Key aspects of Afghanistan’s current state ofthe environment include the following:Urban Environment. In the urbanenvironment, human health is being placed atrisk by poor solid and liquid wastemanagement practices and a lack of adequateuncontaminated drinking water, indoor andambient air pollution and sanitationinfrastructure. Adequate landfills do not existin any towns and cities, and no measures arebeing taken in relation to existing dumpsitesto prevent groundwater contamination orreduce toxic emissions arising from theburning of solid waste. Furthermore, manypolluting industrial activities are beingundertaken without regard for environmentalprotection or the health of workers. Land andother resources, such as natural and culturalheritage, is degraded by poorly planned or unplanneddevelopment activities. Newsettlements are being developed on sensitiveand hazardous areas including steep terrainand areas prone to landslides, river floodplains and drainage areas, areas prone toearthquakes and subsistence areas.Settlements are located without adequateconsideration to the associated demands onenergy and other natural resources. Thepedestrian environment continues todeteriorate from the increasing dominance ofvehicles.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 3

Surface and Groundwater. Water is the keyto the health and well-being of the Afghanpeople. Approximately 75-80% of thepopulation requires consistent access to waterto maintain agricultural production. Thedamage to the water resources of the countryis immense. Drought and uncoordinated andunmanaged extraction of both ground andsurface water resources, and urbandevelopment, has severely depleted anddegraded the available water resource baseresulting in a water quantity and quality crisis.Similarly, water quality is threatened bycontamination from waste dumps, chemicals,open sewers and urban rainwater runoff. Dueto mismanagement of surface water, many ofAfghanistan’s wetlands are completely dryand no longer support wildlife populations orprovide agricultural inputs.Forests and Rangelands. The forests andwoodlands of Afghanistan provide keyresources for the livelihoods of the Afghanpopulation. Timber products such asfuelwood for cooking and constructionmaterials for shelter are extremely importantfor overall survival. Non-timber forestproducts, such as nuts, leaves, mushrooms,and forest-related flora and fauna, are alsoimportant for the food security of people. Inaddition, forests and vegetation prevent landfrom eroding, and maintain an ecologicalbalance in ecosystems and water catchmentareas. Illegal harvesting is depleting forestsand woodland resources rapidly, andwidespreadover-grazing is preventing regeneration.Satellite analyses conducted by UNEP in 2002revealed that conifer forests in the provinces ofNangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan have beenreduced by an average of 50 percent since1978.The loss of forests and vegetation, excessivegrazing and dry land cultivation expose soil toserious erosion. As such the productivity ofthe land base is declining, driving people fromrural to urban areas in search of food andemployment.Soils. The soils of Afghanistan are one of themost important foundations for the Afghaneconomy. They are the basis for agricultureand animal husbandry, and at the same timesupport the growth of natural vegetation.However, due to decades of overuse and poormanagement, many of the soils are slowlyeroding and land productivity is beingreduced. Some of the degradation is so severethat recovery cannot take place withouthuman intervention. One of the mostthreatening impacts arising from loss of soiland vegetation is desertification and increasedflood risk.Air. Dust and vehicle emissions (exacerbatedas a result of the use of low gradehydrocarbons) in Afghanistan’s urban areasare the main factors adversely affecting airquality. According to estimates from 2002, thevehicle density in the country was 500’0004AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

cars, 30’000 buses and 50’000 trucks – figuresthat are growing rapidly. During late autumnand winter, air quality is worsened bydomestic emissions arising from increased useof ovens, stoves and open fires. Electricityshortages and a lack of fuel wood mean thathouseholds resort on occasions to burningpackaging materials, often resulting in therelease of toxic emissions.Wildlife and Biodiversity. Afghanistan’swildlife heritage is also under threat.Flamingos have not bred successfully inAfghanistan for around eight years, and thelast Siberian crane was seen in 1986. While theWakhan Corridor contains healthypopulations of endangered snow leopards andother mammals, including Marco Polo sheep,active hunting is occurring in many regions ofthe country, either for sport, for food, or inorder to supply furs for sale to foreigners inKabul. The legal status of all protected areas iscurrently in question, pending passage ofprotected areas regulations under theEnvironment Law. Even though the protectedareas regulations and management plans arecurrently under development, no managementis taking place to protect and conserve theirecological integrity and wildlife until theregulations and management plans arefinalized. Furthermore, less than one percentof the land base is contained within protectedareas (none of the protected areas are gazettedas yet) – and none of which cover thedwindling conifer forests of the east. AsAfghanistan’s wildlife and biodiversity couldbe a critically important component for futuretourism revenue, attention should be giventowards protecting these resources before theopportunity is missed forever.If the current environmental problems inAfghanistan are not addressed, the followingimpacts can be expected.• Existing chemical contamination of air,soil and water resources at pollutionhotspots will threaten human health andundermine workforce stability andeconomic productivity.• Vulnerability to natural disasters andfood shortages will increase, which willhinder development efforts andcompound humanitarian crises.• Unequal distribution of water resourcescould lead to severe water scarcity insome regions, threatening humanlivelihoods, creating environmentalrefugees, compounding adversehumanitarian conditions and increasingregional tensions.• The adverse environmental impacts ofreconstruction and development projectswill create a large set of newenvironmental problems and impacts tolivelihoods if not regulated andmitigated. Addressing these problemswill have significant long-term financialimplications for the government ofAfghanistan.• Unsustainable use of water resourcescould threaten agricultural productionand food security, as well as wetlandecology and biodiversity.• Mismanagement of municipal, industrialand military wastes could lead to furthercontamination of air, soil, and waterresources (with adverse impacts onhuman health and well-being, as well asthe environment) and to the creation ofnew pollution hotspots.• Continued deforestation combined withlivestock grazing and water scarcity willlead to increased soil erosion,desertification, reduced fertility andecosystem services and diminishedagriculture production.• Continued loss of vegetation and greencover and mismanagement of soil willlead to floods, mudslides, deterioration ofgroundwater quality, and rapid run off ofwater during the wet season.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 5

• Continued declines in biodiversity andincreased listing of endangered speciesdue to habitat loss and the lack of aneffective protected areas system.• Environmental refugees could be createddue to land degradation and resourcescarcity.• The quality of life in urban centres willdeteriorate due to increased vehicle trafficand pollution levels.• Non-renewable resources will beexploited on an abstraction-basedapproach which precludes the ability forsustainable management for bothproduction and conservation.• Environmental investments may beconducted in an overlapping and noncoordinatedway leading to inefficiency,redundancy and non-optimal use oflimited resources.• Citizens of Afghanistan will lack basicenvironmental information on the keyproblems faced by the country, and onthe location of pollution hotspots.• Donors, UN agencies and theinternational community will lackinformation on the key environmentalinvestment needs for 2007 and beyond.If environmental issues are notmainstreamed into the reconstructionagenda and national budget, the basicprerequisites for sustainable developmentwill not be met.INSTITUTIONALFRAMEWORK ANDCAPACITY ASSESSMENTThe recent establishment of an environmentalfunction within the centralized governmentsystem reflects Afghanistan’s developmentpriorities. Still a nascent function,environment has changed organizationallocation and structure since its inception. In2002, the new function was first housed in theMinistry of Irrigation, Water Resources andEnvironment (MIWRE) as the Department ofEnvironment.In January 2005, the Department ofEnvironment was separated from MIWRE and6AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)was subsequently declared an independentDepartment of Environment. In May 2005 theenvironmental function was given the statusof an independent National EnvironmentalProtection Agency (NEPA).NEPA’s capacity to implement its mandateremains relatively limited but the impendingcompletion of the Priority Reform andRestructuring (PRR) process will provide astable organizational structure with staff hiredunder appropriate Terms of Referencefollowing a transparent recruitment process.The organizational transition of theenvironment function since 2002 hasprecluded the consistent development oftechnical and managerial skills within bothNEPA and other governmental authoritiesinvolved in environmental management.Similarly, there has been little opportunity inAfghanistan’s recent history to develop afunctioning education and administrativesystem to support environmentalmanagement. Thus the capacity of both NEPAand other government institutions to bothconduct environmental management andimplement this Strategy requires significanttraining and capacity development.The following list illustrates the roles andresponsibilities of other governmentalauthorities in relation to environmentalmanagement.• The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigationand Livestock (MAIL) is the second mostimportant institution in relation toenvironmental management as it has themandate for natural resourcemanagement of forests, rangeland,protected areas and wildlife. Thefundamental principles of environmentalmanagement, set out in Article 5 of theEnvironment Law, must be applied byany institution exploiting naturalresources for material gain, or exercisinga public function, or creating orimplementing policies and regulatoryframeworks that are likely to affect themanagement of the natural resources ofAfghanistan or the conservation andrehabilitation of its environment. Rangemanagement policies and laws need to befounded on the principle of sustainability.The use of environmentally harmful

pesticides, such as DDT, must bedeterred. The introduction of any alien orgenetically modified crop or other speciesis regulated in terms of the EnvironmentLaw.• The Ministry of Energy and Water isresponsible for managing water resourcesand energy. The basic ecological needs ofAfghanistan’s water resources need to bebalanced against social and livelihooddemands. Pollution of water resourcesneeds to be prevented and controlledthrough enforcement of water qualitystandards. Protection should be affordedto wetlands and other water resources ofhigh ecological value. Public awarenessraising of the value of water, a limitedresource in Afghanistan, is required. TheMinistry of Energy and Water shouldestablish a working relationship withNEPA to learn about the EIA process andcontribute to its application to thedevelopment of water infrastructure.Water quality regulations should bedeveloped in cooperation with allrelevant authorities and should reflect thedirection of the Environment Law. Theenvironmental impact assessment andpollution control provisions of theEnvironment Law must be complied within regard to the construction, upgradingand operation of facilities andinfrastructure required to generate andtransmit electricity. Reliance on fossilfuels needs to be reduced both becausefossil fuels are a finite resource and dueto the generation of greenhouse gasescontained in fossil fuel emissions.Further investment in renewable energiesis required.• The Ministry of Public Health: The linkbetween poor environmental practicesand the associated impact on publichealth will be addressed throughprograms in this Ministry including thetransmission of communicable diseases,respiratory illnesses, water and air bornediseases, public sanitation and industrialpollution. Public health education andawareness raising will be reinforced withenvironmental information.• The Ministry of Urban Developmentand Housing: Management andregulation of the urban environment restswith this Ministry. The development ofadequate urban development andmanagement plans and systems forhuman, municipal and industrial wastemanagement is important to ensureresource and energy-conserving,environmentally sound and healthenvironments. Environmental impactassessments must be undertaken inaccordance with the Environment Law inregard to urban development plans andthe construction or upgrading of facilitiesfor the storage and treatment of wasteand sewage. Public awareness rising isrequired regarding the impacts of poorwaste management practices on humanhealth and the environment.• Ministry of Public Works: Theapplication of environmental impactassessments to the development of roadconstruction, operation and maintenanceof roads, railways, water ports, andairfields is pertinent to this Ministry. Inaddition, Afghanistan’s National OzoneUnit, housed in NEPA, can provideinformation about the proper transport ofozone producing appliances, such asrefrigeration and air conditioning units.• The Ministry of Transportation andCivil Aviation: Environmental impactassessments must to be undertaken inaccordance with the Environment Law inregard to the construction of newairports, or the upgrading of existingones and to new roads that may have asignificant adverse impact on theenvironment. Government agencies andtheir implementing partners constructing,rehabilitating or repairing roads shouldfirst consult with NEPA regardingenvironmental impact assessmentregulations and the associated process.The provision of an effective publictransport system lies within the realm ofthis ministry.• Ministry of Women’s Affairs: TheMinistry of Women’s Affairs isresponsible for ensuring that genderperspectives are appropriately reflectedin environmental policies, programmesand legislation in order to facilitategender equality through environmentalmanagement. The link between genderAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 7

and environmental sustainability willbenefit from sex-disaggregated data,prioritization of critical issues anddevelopment of associated interventions.• Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs,Martyrs and Disabled: The developmentenvironmental programs in urban andrural areas will provide additionaloptions in fields such as wastemanagement, reforestation, andenvironmental remediation associatedwith road construction and landreclamation.• The Ministry of Justice: Responsibleamongst others for drafting, publishingand distributing legislative documents.• The Ministry of Interior: Responsibleamongst others for the enforcement oflaws and regulations.• The Afghanistan National DisasterManagement Authority: Theenvironmental dimensions of disasters,especially in relation to mitigation of andresponse to natural and industrialdisasters, need to be incorporated intorelevant policies and plans.• Ministry of Foreign Affairs handlesinternational agreements betweenAfghanistan and other countries andregional cooperation issues.• Ministry of Commerce: Responsibleamongst others to regulate trade.Transboundary trade in banned orrestricted goods (such as ozone depletingsubstances and endangered species) mustbe deterred through regional bordercooperation.• Ministry of Finance and Ministry ofEconomy have the responsibility toappropriately allocate budgets toministries and sanction developmentplans and programs according toAfghanistan’s environmental regulations,laws, standards and programmaticpriorities. Additionally, the developmentof fiscal policies and economic incentivesfor financing environmental goods andservices is necessary for effectiveenvironmental management.LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKThe combination of the disruption ofAfghanistan’s system of governance anddestruction of its natural resources promptedthe development of an Environment Law,which is the first legal instrument related tothe country’s environment. The legislationwas approved by the President and enteredinto force in December 2005. During 2006, theLaw was approved by the National Assembly,and the final version was published in theOfficial Gazette in January 2007 (Issue No. 912,dated 25 January 2007).The Environment Law is based oninternational standards that recognize thecurrent state of Afghanistan’s environmentwhile laying a framework for the progress ofgovernance leading to effective environmentalmanagement.NEPA is currently developing sets ofregulations under the Environment Lawaddressing the following sectoral areas:environmental impact assessment (EIA);integrated pollution control (IPC); protectedareas management; ozone depletingsubstances; environmental quality standards(air, water, pollution, waste management) andcompliance and enforcement. Otherenvironmental legislation under developmentincludes a Forest Law and Rangeland Law,which is being developed by the Ministry ofAgriculture, Irrigation and Livestock. Theformer legislation has been submitted to theMinistry of Justice for processing, while thetechnical content of the latter piece oflegislation is still being finalised incooperation with relevant stakeholders.Wildlife and hunting legislation is also in theearly stages of development.NEPA will develop air quality standards forAfghanistan, based on available dataincluding the Kabul Air Quality ManagementReport prepared by the Asian DevelopmentBank (ADB).Within the next few years, Afghanistan’senvironmental regulatory framework will berelatively complete. Effective implementationand enforcement of those laws will however8AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

take some time to achieve, particularly whererelatively new management ideas have beenintroduced, as in the case of the naturalresource legislation that is underdevelopment. Implementation will occur in apiecemeal manner, using a field-level pilotingapproach.INTERNATIONALREGULATORY FRAMEWORK(MEAS)With respect to multilateral environmentalagreements and regional cooperation,Afghanistan has primarily concentrated on“green” transboundary issues concerningprotection and preservation with NEPA andthe Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation andLivestock dividing duties as the respectivefocal points. Afghanistan has signed but notratified the Basel Convention regardingtransboundary movement and disposal ofhazardous waste, and is in the process ofacceding to the Convention on MigratorySpecies (CMS) and the Ramsar Convention onWetlands. The Ministry of Agriculture andIrrigation is the focal point for the UNConvention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD),the UN Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD) and the Convention onInternational Trade of Endangered Species(CITES).Afghanistan has also ratified the ozone treaties(the Vienna Convention and the MontrealProtocol), and the UN Framework Conventionon Climate Change (UNFCCC) with NEPA asthe focal point.Afghanistan is not yet a Party to the KyotoProtocol (to UNFCCC), or to the “brown”chemicals conventions, including theStockholm (“POPs”) and Basel Conventions.Administration of these conventions isburdensome, and NEPA does not yet have thecapacity to undertake such a task adequately.GOVERNMENT BUDGETARYALLOCATIONSEnvironment and hence the NationalEnvironmental Strategy cuts through mostsectors of the ANDS and can not be dealt withas a sector per se. Mainstreaming isparticularly important for ensuring annualbudgetary allocations with respect toenvironmental requirements. Budgetaryallocations from the Ministry of Finance andassociated budget requests from Ministriesshould include an appropriate level foractivities mandated under the EnvironmentLaw, such as EIAs, or to fund environmentalactivities in line with respective mandates.Ministerial participation in environmentalcoordination mechanisms such as theCommittee for Environmental Coordinationwill provide Ministries with the relevantinformation to appropriately draft theirannual budget requests.An analysis of government budgetaryallocations should be conducted annuallystarting from a baseline year of 1386, the firstcomplete fiscal year after passage of theEnvironment Law, to monitor the allocation offunds among all sectors and the respectiveMinistries for environmental managementactivities.INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSInternational partners to NEPA and othergovernment authorities have provided theinitial precedent and experience to help thegovernment understand and begin settingenvironmental governance and environmentalmanagement into place. The associatedprojects have focused primarily on thematicareas of Afghanistan’s environment such asbiodiversity, afforestation, watershedmanagement, natural resource management,renewable energy, environment and povertyreduction. However, the combined efforts hasproduced a body of lessons learned thatdirectly informs this Strategy. The continuedassistance of international partners is crucial tothe implementation of the NationalEnvironmental Strategy.Active international partners contributing tothe field of environmental management inAfghanistan are the following:• European Commission (EC)• Government of FinlandAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 9

• United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)• United Nations Development Programme(UNDP)• Asian Development Bank (ADB)• World Bank (WB)• Global Environmental Facility (GEF)• United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID)• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)• United States Department of Agriculture(USDA)• United Nations Office for Project Services(UNOPS)/ Afghanistan ConservationCorps (ACC)• Aga Khan Development Network• Government of Norway• DACAAR• MADERA• Mercy Corps• Role of Civil Society and Private SectorCivil society plays an important role inholding government, other institutions andthe private sector accountable with regard tothe status of the environment in Afghanistanand the effectiveness of environmentalmanagement. Correspondingly, civil society iskey to ensuring sustainable approaches toenvironmental stewardship for both publiccitizens and the private sector.In order for the civil society to fulfil this role,public awareness about the roles andresponsibilities of citizens with regard toenvironmental matters needs to bestrengthened through existing civic structures.In their roles as customary and electedrepresentatives shuras, CommunityDevelopment Councils (CDCs), DistrictDevelopment Authorities (DDAs), ProvincialDevelopment Councils (PDCs), civic andreligious leaders provide a vehicle to helpimplement and enforce environmental lawsand regulations at the local level, as well asshape behaviours of the public away fromenvironmental damage and towardsenvironmental stewardship. The knowledgeand skills of local communities in relation tosustainable natural resources and environmentmanagement, in particular those of women,need to be reflected in policies, programmesand legislation.The same responsibilities apply to the privatesector. Business developers need to be awareof their responsibilities with regard toenvironmental standards, pollution mitigationand the concept of sustainability.The relevant regulatory provisions of theEnvironment Law that relate to environmentalimpact assessment and pollution control mustbe complied with. At the same time, theprivate sector offers entrepreneurial andtechnical innovation that can be applied to theenvironment such as clean technologies andsources of renewable energy. Governmentsupport through financing mechanisms andother incentives will help bridge theapplication of private enterprise to publicenvironmental goods and services.RELATIONSHIP WITHOTHER ANDS CROSS-CUTTING ISSUESA. GenderWorldwide a strong, well-documentedrelationship exists between gender andenvironment; though hardly any significantwork has been conducted in Afghanistan onaspects such as: (1) Compilation of statistics ofgender-disaggregated environmental goodsand services; (2) Targeted interventions toaddress the environmental issues that impactwomen more adversely such as indoor airpollution, lack of access to drinking water,promotion of health and sanitation within thefamily etc.; (3) Recognition of women’sspecific contribution to sustainableenvironment management.The National Environment Strategyincorporates gender within the developingframework for environmental governance andmanagement rather than treating gender as aseparate aspect.10AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

B. Regional CooperationThere are several environmental issues inAfghanistan that require a transboundaryapproach to management. Examples includewater sharing the Amu Darya and Helmandbasins, forest management in the Easternprovinces and protected areas in the Wakhancorridor and Sistan basin wetlands.Transboundary initiatives on Amu Darya,Wakhan corridor and Sistan basin wetlandsare in early stages of engagement.C. Capacity Building andInstitutional ReformCapacity building needs of the environmentalmanagement institutions are as acute as in anyother set of institutions in Afghanistan. Themain difference being that the premierenvironmental management institution,National Environmental Protection Agency(NEPA), is a newly created nascent institutionlacking political clout, financial strength andtrained human resources.D. Counter NarcoticsThe security and licit livelihoods goals of theCounter Narcotics and associated NationalDrug Control Strategy will be supportedthrough environmental governance andmanagement. A healthy environment capableof supporting productive natural resources,coupled with legal identification of land accessand ownership will contribute to more selfsufficiencyand livelihoods options,particularly at the community level.E. Anti‐CorruptionIllegal appropriation of land, forced earlyharvest of communally-owned naturalresources such as pistachio and almond,corruption in urban waste managementprograms are examples of corruption issuesthat have the potential to constrain theexpansion of environmental programs andoverall environmental management.MOST IMPORTANTCHALLENGES FOR THENATIONAL ENVIRONMENTSTRATEGY• Throughout Afghanistan weakenvironmental institutions need to bestrengthened, responsibilities need to beestablished clearly and coordinationneeds to be improved.• The scarcity of qualified, trained andexperienced human resources isparticularly acute in the field ofenvironmental management.• Low allocation of funds to thedevelopment of environmentalmanagement as compared to thechallenges facing Afghanistan’senvironment is a major concern.• NEPA is a fledgling institution, and theenvironmental mandate is a new one –factors that contribute to its low statusamong governmental institutions.• Enforcement of legislation is a challengein a country that has not known rule oflaw for decades.• Mobilization and involvement of thegeneral public as environmentalstewards, is key, as is the earlysensitization of the young generation byincluding environmental themes intoeducation curricula.• The role of women in sustainable naturalresources management, domestic wastemanagement, sanitation management,and domestic emissions management, isnot well understood.• Low awareness in governmentalinstitutions with regard to environmentalissues.• Poor collaboration among the relevantgovernment institutions in utilizingexisting environmental coordinationmechanisms.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 11

12AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CAPTER IIMAINSTREAMING ENVIRONMENT: APPROACHESAND PRIORITIESSTRATEGIC VISION ANDGOALS:VisionThe National Environment Strategy aims toimprove the quality of life of people ofAfghanistan through conservation, protectionand improvement of the country’senvironment.GoalsSecure a clean and healthy environment forthe people of Afghanistan.Attain sustainable economic and socialdevelopment while protecting the naturalresource base and the environment of thecountry.Ensure effective management of the country’senvironment through participation of allstakeholders.The strategic vision and goals of the NationalEnvironment Strategy proceeds from theapplication of four priority programme areasto build NEPA’s capacity and ability toconduct its mandate. From there, the Strategyelaborates priority programmes areas forenvironmental management based onthematic strategies.PRIORITY PROGRAMMEAREAS FOR NEPAA. Training and CapacityBuildingIn order to provide accurate information,technical assistance and effectivedissemination NEPA requires acomprehensive and on-going training andcapacity building program with donor andimplementing partners, in a phased approach,to develop and reinforce staff skills inadministration, management, and NEPA’sprogrammatic areas: legal and regulatory,enforcement, EIA, environmental policy andinformation; outreach and communication,environmental education and awareness,multi-lateral environmental agreements.B. Legal and RegulatoryFrameworksWith the promulgation of the EnvironmentLaw and impending issuance of theEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA)policy and regulations, and with furtherregulatory instruments and a nationalenvironmental policy in the pipeline, NEPA ispoised to begin educating institutions aboutthe components of these legal instruments andtheir overall application, to develop theprocesses and systems required forimplementation, and, ultimately, to beginadequately enforcing the framework.These activities are central to attainment of theenvironment benchmark in the I-ANDS.NEPA will begin working with relevantgovernment authorities to develop air quality,water quality, waste management andpollution control regulations followinginternational standards for such “brown”environmental issues. The establishment ofthese regulations will help mainstream thegovernment of Afghanistan’s standards forenvironmental quality. Similarly, further“green” or environmental protectionregulations will establish the government’sstandards for its natural resources includingAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 13

forests and areas of environmental significancesuch as national parks.C. Environmental Education,Awareness and OutreachPublic participation is a key feature of theEnvironment Law and the EIA regulations,and will similarly feature as a component offurther environmental laws and regulations.As a coordinating body, NEPA’s role includeshelping to inform stakeholders, including theAfghan public and government, of their rightsand responsibilities under the legal andregulatory framework.Thus, NEPA will initiate a public awarenesscampaign in both urban and rural areas todisseminate messages about Afghanistan’senvironment, the government’s prioritiesregarding its use and protection and thegovernment’s commitment and willingness tohelp improve the lives of Afghans through arehabilitated environment.NEPA will also work with the Ministry ofEducation and Kabul University to developsupplemental, formal environmental materialsto teach Afghan students about the relevanceand importance of the environment to theirdaily lives and to begin building a cohort ofAfghan professionals with the knowledge andability to further environmental managementin Afghanistan. NEPA will also utilize nonformaleducation platforms such as mullahs,Islamic scholars, community-based schools,women’s programs, literacy and vocationalprograms to incorporate environmentalinformation and education materials.Finally, NEPA will help establishenvironmental focal points in key governmentauthorities, such as the Ministry ofAgriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, theMinistry of Public Health, the Ministry ofEducation, the Ministry of Women’s Affairsand municipalities to provide timely andrelevant environmental information.D. Environmental Informationand PolicySound environment policy decision-makingand a reliable policy analysis process dependson quality scientific information collected fromreliable environmental monitoring systems.Capacity building in the area of environmentalinformation analysis and the scientific base forpolicy formulation is the key towards thesustainable use of environment resources andsustainable development of the country. Theabsence of environmental policies andenvironmental monitoring will affect thedevelopment of the environment sector unlessa comprehensive program is established. Withstakeholder consultation, NEPA will developand issue a National Environmental Policy,establish a regular environmental monitoringsystem and associated database and produce abiennial State of the Environment report todocument changes in Afghanistan’senvironment and inform the status ofenvironmental governance and management.NEPA will strengthen its coordination rolethrough regular meetings of the Committeefor Environmental Coordination (CEC) andthe annual National Environmental AdvisoryCouncil (NEAC). These coordination bodieswere established under the Environment Lawto encourage cooperative environmentalgovernance under the direction of NEPA. Thepurpose of the CEC is to promote theintegration and coordination of environmentalissues within national and sub-national levelsof the government. All relevant ministries andsub-national authorities are represented on theCommittee while relevant internationaldonors and partners and national NGOs areafforded observer status. The NEACcomprised of representatives of differentlevels of Afghan society such as governors,Islamic scholars, tribal elders and Provincial,District and Village Council Chairs, willadvise NEPA on financial and regulatorymatters, as well as environmental matters thatare of respectively national and local publicimportance.14AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

PRIORITY PROGRAMME AREAS, DESIRED OUTCOMES AND INPUTS & OUTPUTS FORENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT:Priority Policiesand Objectives(1) Restoration andSustainable Useof Rangelands(2) Restoration andSustainable Useof Forests(3) Conservation ofBiodiversityDesired Outcomes Inputs & Outputs / Programs Responsible AgenciesShort term (2 years) Mid term (5 years) Policy Actions/ Measures Projects• Institutions and processesestablished for conflictresolution of access toand ownership ofrangelands• Develop, facilitate andimplement communitybased practices for themanagement ofrangelands.• Institutions and processesestablished for conflictresolution on access toand ownership of forests.• Community based forestmanagement practicesinitiated.• Management plansprepared, approved andnotified for protectedareas and national parks,including game reserves,wetlands and birdsanctuaries.• Community basedprogrammes initiated forconservation and• Better managementpractices for rangelandmanagement, includingrotational regimes,improved grazingpractices, etc,established.• Restoration of importantrangeland areasinitiated.• Recognition andenforcement of accessto rangelands• Modern practicesinitiated for conservationand sustainable use ofNon-Timber ForestResources.• Modern managementpractices initiated forconservation andsustainable use of forestresources.• Implementation ofmanagement plansinitiated for protectedareas and nationalparks, including gamereserves, wetlands andbird sanctuaries.• A gene bank initiated.• Drafting, consultationand approval ofnational rangelandspolicy.• Drafting, consultationand approval offorestry policy.• Approval of protectedareas regulations.• Drafting, consultationand approval ofnational biodiversitypolicy.• Rangelandprogrammecomprisingconservation andsustainabilitycomponents,implemented at thecommunity level• Forestryprogrammecomprisingconservation andsustainabilitycomponents,implemented at thecommunity level• Biodiversityprogrammecomprisingprotection andsustainable use ofbiodiversity inrangelands, forestsand protectedareas.• MAIL• MRRD• Ministry of Women’sAffairs• Ministry of Justice• CommunityInstitutions• MAIL• MRRD• Ministry of Women’sAffaires• Ministry of Justice• CommunityInstitutions• MAIL• NEPA• Ministry of Women’sAffairs• Ministry of UrbanDevelopment• Municipalities• Department ofAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 15

Priority Policiesand ObjectivesDesired Outcomes Inputs & Outputs / Programs Responsible Agencies(4) Accession to/Signing andEnforcement ofMEAs(5) Preservation ofNatural andCultural Heritage(6) Encouragement toCommunity BasedNatural ResourceManagement16Short term (2 years) Mid term (5 years) Policy Actions/ Measures Projectssustainable use of naturalresources.• Accession to RamsarConvention and CMS• Enforcement of Ozoneconventions• Initiation of andenforcement of UNFCCC,UNCBD, UNCCD• Natural heritage sitesidentified and notified.• Support mechanismestablished forprogrammes and projectsutilizing community basednatural resourcemanagement approaches.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)• Signing of KyotoProtocol or its successorprotocol• Enforcement of MEAsacceded / signed byAfghanistan• Ecotourism programmesfor natural heritage sitesinitiated.• Programmes andprojects utilizingcommunity basednatural resourcemanagementapproaches initiated.• Secure approval forthe accessioninstruments forRamsar Conventionand CMS fromparliament• Regular ODS surveysfor Afghanistan• Strengthening ofMEA Focal Pointinstitutions.• Declaration of naturalheritage sites.• Inclusion of CB NRMapproaches in ruraldevelopmentprogrammes andprojects.• GEF enablingprojects for MEAs• Implementation ofNational ODSPhase Out projects• Individual naturalheritage sitedevelopmentprojects.• Area based ruraldevelopmentprojects withCBNRMapproaches.Defence• NEPA• MAIL• Ministry of ForeignAffairs• NEPA• MAIL• Ministry ofInformation, Cultureand Youth• Ministry of UrbanDevelopment• Communities• Security institutions• MAIL• NEPA• Ministry of Energy andWater• MRRD• Ministry of Women’sAffairs• Ministry of Mines• Ministry ofInformation, Cultureand Youth• Communities

Priority Policiesand ObjectivesDesired Outcomes Inputs & Outputs / Programs Responsible Agencies(7) Prevention andAbatement ofPollution(8) UrbanEnvironmentalManagement(9) EnvironmentalEducation andAwarenessShort term (2 years) Mid term (5 years) Policy Actions/ Measures Projects• Institutions and processesestablished for vehicleregistration, examinationand tune up.• Urban environmentimprovement programmesinitiated including garbagecollection and disposal;• Development of landfills.• Institutions and processesestablished for collectionand treatment of wastefrom urban smallindustries.• Roles and responsibilitiesestablished forenvironmental educationand awareness.• Vehicle registration,examination and tune upprogrammes initiated.• Expansion of urbanenvironmentimprovementprogrammes, includingwastewater systems andtreatment programmesinitiated.• Collection and treatmentof waste from urbansmall industries started.• Programmes andprojects established topromote environmentaleducation andawareness. (Amongstothers on: environmentalhealth, personalhygiene, air & waterpollution, land• Drafting, consultationand approval ofpollution controlpolicy.• Approval ofEnvironment ImpactAssessment (EIA)regulations.• Approval of EIAadministrativeprocedures.• Drafting, consultationand approval ofnationalenvironmental qualitystandards, includingair and water qualitystandards.• Material developedand human resourcestrained.• Teaching materialsprovided.• Female and maleteachers trained• Capacity buildingprojects for relevantministries forpollution controlmeasures.• Capacity buildingprojects for relevantministries forenforcingEnvironment ImpactAssessment (EIA)regulations.• Capacity buildingprojects for relevantministries forenforcing NationalEnvironment QualityStandards.• Projects in formaleducationinstitutions -primary, secondaryand tertiary schoolsand universities.• Projects in nonformaleducationprograms – literacy,• NEPA• MAIL• Ministry ofTransportation• Ministry of Finance• Ministry of Commerce• Directorate of LocalGovernance• Ministry ofInformation, Cultureand Youth• Municipalities• The public• NEPA• Ministry of UrbanDevelopment• Municipalities• Directorate of LocalGovernance• The public• NEPA• Ministry of Education• Ministry of HigherEducation• Ministry of Women’sAffairs• Ministry ofInformation, CultureAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 17

Priority Policiesand ObjectivesDesired Outcomes Inputs & Outputs / Programs Responsible AgenciesShort term (2 years) Mid term (5 years) Policy Actions/ Measures Projectsdegradation, biodiversityconservation, promotionof renewable energy andenergy efficiency)• Inclusion ofenvironmental subjectsand contents incurriculum of schoolsand universities and assupplemental material.vocational,community-basedschools, religiousclasses andwomen’s programsand Youth• Ministry of Hajj andIslamic Affairs• MAIL• Ministry Energy andWater.18AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CAPTER IIIFORESTRY ANDRANGELANDForests and rangelands are particularlyvaluable in dry land regions such asAfghanistan. They provide fuel wood andtimber, as well as other non-timber forestproducts such as nuts and medicinal plants.Forests are also prime habitat for many animalspecies, including some threatened withextinction. Extensive tree cover can also helpto moderate local climate conditions andreduce potentially damaging runoff aftersudden rain fall. In many situations, watercourses in forested land retain their dry-seasonflows better than those in un-forested land,making water available for humanconsumption and irrigation during criticalperiods.The mixed oak and coniferous forestsof the east have potential to be managed assources of timber, but are being loggedillegally, severely reducing the country’snatural resource base. Over most of the centreand north of the country, conditions for treegrowth are more marginal, and existing treecover is extremely sensitive to disturbancesthat may then lead to erosion anddesertification. In these regions, openwoodlands, with pistachio and almond, arevaluable source of nuts for subsistence andexport, but have been increasingly cut for fuelwood. Overgrazing combined with anincreasing population and correspondingdemands for fuel wood over recent decadeshave resulted in extensive decline inwoodlands.A. Issues• Significant loss of forest cover andrange land leading to:• Shortage of forest products• Pasture land becoming principalsource of conflict due to competitionTHEMATIC STRATEGIESamong settled and nomadic landusers and ethnic and territorialconcern• Irreversible loss of topsoil throughwater and wind erosion caused bythe removal of forest, overgrazingand over harvesting• Operation of irrigation schemes at afraction of their potential levels• A depleted livestock sector• Depletion of wildlife habitats• Increased detrimental impact ofnatural disasters due to lack ofnatural barriers• Competing land use• Ownership and access to forests andrange land• Governance and management offorests and range landB. Desired Outcomes• Establishment of regimes for proper andeffective utilization of forest andrangelands• Achieving balance between, on the onehand, maximization of production andproductivity in all agricultural land usesand, on the other hand, effectivemaintenance and enhancement of thenatural and wildlife resource base• Targeting and geographical coverage forcommunity-based resource management• Establishing strategic roles of people andinstitutions in community resourcemanagement• Mitigation of natural disasters such asflooding, drought and land degradationthrough natural resource rehabilitationand managementAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 19

C. Corresponding Sectors• Agriculture and Rural Development• Gender• Governance and Public AdministrationPROTECTED AREAS ANDBIODIVERSITYProtected areas (PA) were first introduced inthe West primarily as a means to protectlandscapes, wildlife and habitats of particularvalue, often by exclusion of people andregulation of access and use. Modernapproaches to protected areas stress the needfor community participation in protected areaplanning, and for multiple uses aimed tobenefit residents as well as maintain naturalprocesses. Evidence from around the worldshows that with suitable design andmanagement these goals can beachieved.Afghanistan has never had thebenefit of an effective protected areas system.Though some progress was made inimplementing a protected areas networkdesigned during the 1970s, the escalation ofdisorder through that decade, the Sovietoccupation in 1979, and the subsequent civilstrife, prevented its development andmodernization.A 1992 government review listed the existingprotected areas as one national park (Band-e-Amir), three water fowl sanctuaries (Ab-I-Estada, Dasht-e-Nawar and Kole HashmatKhan) and two wildlife reserves (Ajar valleyand Pamir-I-Buzurg). Between 1977 and 1992,a further ten sites were proposed for protectedarea status, including three important areas inthe western half of the country: RegistanDesert Wildlife Management Reserve, Hamun-I-Puzak Waterfowl Sanctuary, and NorthwestAfghanistan Game Management Reserve.There has never been an overall enablinglegislation providing for the establishment andmanagement of protected areas, and theprecise current legal status of each protectedarea is uncertain. Most were never formallygazetted and institutional structures havesince changed. Afghanistan is not yet party tothe Ramsar Convention on wetlands, thoughseveral wetland sites in the country havepreviously been identified as of internationalimportance for migratory and breedingwaterbirds.D. Issues• Ambiguous legal status• Lack of enabling legislation forestablishing and managing PAs• Negative impact of war, humansettlements, drought, tourism andlandmines• Threats to biodiversity, including huntingof wildlife in PAs• Degradation of forest cover, cutting ofreeds, livestock grazing in PAs• Poor hydrological conditions in some PAsE. Desired Outcomes• Clarity on the legal status and boundariesof PAs• Enabling legislation on establishing andmanaging PAs• Assessment of impact of humansettlements, war, drought, tourism andlandmines on PAs• Hydrological and biodiversity assessmentof PAs• Regulation of hunting and other humanactivities in PAs• Clearance of land mines from PAs• Accession to Ramsar ConventionF. Corresponding Sector• Agriculture and Rural Development• Justice• Governance and Public AdministrationWATER AND WETLANDSWith rainfall low and erratic in much ofAfghanistan, and large areas qualifying asdesert or semi-desert, rivers, streams andother wetlands are crucial for human needssuch as drinking water and agriculture, andfor maintaining populations of wild plantsand animals, many of which provide potentialfor economic opportunities. Although broadcalculations suggest that, in average20AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

conditions, Afghanistan as a whole uses lessthan one-third of its potential 75’000 millionm 3 water resources, regional differences insupply, inefficient use, and wastage mean thata major part of the country experiences waterscarcity. The recent years of conflict and poorwater management have seriously degradedmany of the wetlands and made it difficult orimpossible to make improvements toinfrastructure or to integrate uncoordinatedlocal schemes into a coherent national strategyfor water.A. Issues• Desiccation of wetlands withaccompanying loss of vegetation• Soil erosion and movement of sand, dustand sediments into irrigated areas,irrigations canals and lakebeds• Loss of agricultural land• Change in flora and fauna of thewetlands• Increasing and uncoordinated waterextraction• Ground water salinity• Pesticides residues in wetlands• Trans-boundary water managementB. Desired Outcomes• Improved water management at the basinlevel, particularly upstream• Hydrological studies and biodiversityassessment of major wetlands• Regular monitoring of ground watertables, especially in vulnerable areas• Integration of watershed developmentwith irrigation improvement.• Remedial measures for containingimpacts of desiccation of wetlands onhuman and natural environmentC. Corresponding Sectors• Water• Agriculture and Rural Development• Health• Air QualityDust and vehicle emissions, unpaved roads,open burning of solid waste and burningbiofuels for heat and cooking in country’surban areas are the main factors negativelyaffecting air quality. Most vehicles run on lowgradefuel and cause problems of air pollution.The potential risks to human health from PolyAromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) throughinhalation are increased by the presence ofdust in the air. Dust binds hydrocarbonparticles, prevents them escaping into theupper atmosphere, and increases thelikelihood of human exposure. A combinationof drought and loss of vegetation arecontributing factors to the increased dustlevels.Source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat,World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision and World Urbanization Prospects: The 2005 Revision,http://esa.un.org/unup.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 21

D. Population Growth in KabulDesired Outcomes:• Import, production and use ofcleaner fuel encouraged throughpolicy reforms.• Public transport system andpedestrian environment improved• Vehicular registration,examination system and tune upfacilities established• Private vehicle use reduced• Urban roads paved• Air polluting bio fuels for heatingand cooking reducedCorresponding Sectors• Transport• Urban Development• Energy• HealthE. Urban and IndustrialEnvironmental ManagementUrban environments, and thereforehealth, are being degraded by inadequateplanning and management practicesincluding poor solid and liquid wastemanagement. Hospitals are significanthotspots as medical wastes are disposedof improperly. There are hardly anyproper landfills in any of the towns andcities, and none of the dumpsites aretaking measures to prevent groundwatercontamination or toxic air pollution fromburning wastes.There is also evidence of pollutingindustrial activities operating withoutregard for environmental protection orhealth of workers.Desired outcomes:• National urban environmentalmanagement strategy developed andimplemented, including pollutioncontrol.• Professional expertise built to undertakeEnvironmental Assessments of policies,urban plans and urban projects.• Environmental Assessments appliedacross the board.• Environmental policies integrated intourban planning.• Illegal trade in hazardous waste, rawmaterials and products prevented.• Urban environmental indicatorsdeveloped and data collection initiatedCorresponding Sectors• Urban Development• Health• GenderENVIRONMENTALEDUCATION ANDAWARENESSPublic participation in discussions anddecision making on environmental issues andmanagement of natural resources requiresmore heightened levels of awareness andunderstanding than exist presently within thebroad Afghan community. Furthermore, theresponsibility and stewardship of restoringand maintaining Afghanistan’s environmentrests with all levels and generations of Afghansociety, the private sector as well as thegovernment.Therefore, training and capacity needs inenvironmental education and awareness areconsiderable to empower the public with thelegal rights and personal desire to protect theenvironment and provide incentives forbehaviour change.22AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

Desired Outcomes:• Environmental education and awarenessstrategy developed and implemented.• Media awareness enhanced.• Environmental education and awarenessmaterial, including curriculum,developed.• Evidence of behaviours supporting theenvironment such as participation inwaste management programs, use of• public waste facilities, endorsement ofenvironmental and natural resourcemanagement programs and regulations.Corresponding Sectors• Education• Agriculture and Rural Development• Gender• Health• EnergyAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 23

24AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CAPTER IVIMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORINGStrategic coordination of the ANDS is to takeplace on a sector-by-sector basis through aConsultative Group (CG) mechanism. Underthe CG mechanism, environment features as across-cutting issue (hence the existence of theEnvironment Cross Cutting ConsultativeGroup (CCCG), and also a sectoral issue. Inregard to the latter, a Natural Resources andEnvironment technical working group(TWG3.6) exists in the CG dealing withInfrastructure and Natural Resources (CG3).Environment as a cross-cutting issue, must bemainstreamed across all sectors and in eachprogramme area through the development ofpolicy benchmarks to ensure that government,donors and implementing agencies followestablished norms with respect to theincorporation of environmental considerationsinto the design and implementation ofprojects, and provide adequate oversight andmonitoring of the environmental impacts ofhumanitarian and development projects.The ANDS Technical Working Groups play acrucial role in ensuring issues encountered inthe implementation of programs andministerial/ sectoral strategies are effectivelyaddressed. Their assessment must be frank,identifying the problems encountered in theimplementation of the benchmarks. This willallow the CGs to more effectively address theissues and meet their obligation of reporting tothe Oversight Committee (OSC) and JointCoordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB)on progress in fulfilling the high-levelbenchmarks.Table 1 lists cross-cutting environmentalissues corresponding to relevant AfghanistanCompact benchmarks and sectors in order tomonitor progress with regard to theEnvironment benchmark of the ANDS, andmainstream environmental issues and priorityprogrammes elaborated in the Strategy.A monitoring matrix for indicators related tothe Environment benchmark is contained inTable 2. The benchmark indicatorsencapsulate the components of environmentalmanagement developed in the NationalEnvironment Strategy.Ultimately environmental mainstreaming andthe information in both tables also apply toachievement of the MDG goal forenvironment.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 25

Table 1. Mainstreaming Environment into the Afghanistan Compact Benchmarksa) Sector 1: SecurityCG1WG1-1.1CG1WG1-1.1CG1WG2-1.2CG1WG3-1.3International security forces: Through end-2010, with the support of and in closecoordination with the Afghan Government, the NATO-led International Security AssistanceForce (ISAF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and their respective ProvincialReconstruction Teams (PRTs) will promote security and stability in all regions ofAfghanistan, including by strengthening Afghan capabilities.Afghan National Army: By end-2010: A nationally respected, professional, ethnicallybalanced Afghan National Army will be fully established that is democraticallyaccountable, organized, trained and equipped to meet the security needs of the countryand increasingly funded from Government revenue, commensurate with the nation’seconomic capacity; the international community will continue to support Afghanistan inexpanding the ANA towards the ceiling of 70,000 personnel articulated in the Bonn talks;and the pace of expansion is to be adjusted on the basis of periodic joint qualityassessments by the Afghan Government and the international community against agreedcriteria which take into account prevailing conditions.Mine Action and Ammunition: By end-2010, in line with Afghanistan’s MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) and Afghanistan’s Ottawa Convention obligations, the landarea contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance will be reduced by 70%; allstockpiled anti-personnel mines will be located and destroyed by end-2007; and by end-2010, all unsafe, unserviceable, and surplus ammunition will be destroyed.Afghan National and Border Police: By end-2010, a fully constituted, professional,functional and ethnically balanced Afghan National Police and Afghan Border Police witha combined force of up to 62,000 will be able to meet the security needs of the countryeffectively and will be increasingly fiscally sustainable.• Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordancewith the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to PRTinfrastructure and other development projects.• Environmental impacts of military camps and bases (especially wastedisposal and sanitation aspects) must be considered.• NEPA and MAIL should be consulted prior to the implementation of anyde-mining activities in protected areas and areas of high biologicaldiversity or ecological value.• Police require training in relation to the environmental regulatoryframework in order to enforce certain aspects of it, as required by law.• Border police require training in relation to transboundary trade in bannedor restricted goods, such as ozone depleting substances and endangeredspecies from NEPA and the National Ozone Unit, housed in NEPA.CG1WG3-1.3CG1WG3-1.326Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups: All illegal armed groups will be disbanded by end-2007 in all provinces.Counter Narcotics: By end-2010, the Government will strengthen its law enforcementcapacity at both central and provincial levels, resulting in a substantial annual increase inthe amount of drugs seized or destroyed and processing facilities dismantled, and ineffective measures, including targeted eradication as appropriate, that contribute to theelimination of poppy cultivation.By end-2010, the Government and neighbouring and regional governments will worktogether to increase coordination and mutual sharing of intelligence, with the goal of anincrease in the seizure and destruction of drugs being smuggled across Afghanistan’sborders, and effective action against drug traffickers.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)• Disposal of weapons and munitions containing environmentallyhazardous substances must be managed carefully. EIA? Upcomingregulations?• Toxic chemicals used in processing facilities should be seized andproperly disposed off when such facilities are dismantled. EIA? Upcomingregulations?

) Sector 2: Governance, Rule of Law and Human RightsCG2WG4-2.1CG2WG4-2.1CG2WG5-2.2CG2WG5-2.2CG2WG5-2.2CG2WG6-2.3Public Administrative Reform: By end-2010: Government machinery (including the numberof ministries) will be restructured and rationalised to ensure a fiscally sustainable publicadministration; the Civil Service Commission will be strengthened; and civil servicefunctions will be reformed to reflect core functions and responsibilities.Counter Narcotics: By end-2010, the Government will increase the number of arrests andprosecutions of traffickers and corrupt officials, and will improve its information baseconcerning those involved in the drugs trade, with a view to enhancing the selectionsystem for national and sub-national public appointments, as part of the appointmentsmechanism mentioned earlier in this annex.National Assembly: The National Assembly will be provided with technical andadministrative support by mid-2006 to fulfil effectively its constitutionally mandated roles.Elections: The Afghanistan Independent Electoral Commission will have the high integrity,capacity and resources to undertake elections in an increasingly fiscally sustainablemanner by end-2008, with the Government of Afghanistan contributing to the extentpossible to the cost of future elections from its own resources. A permanent civil and voterregistry with a single national identity document will be established by end-2009.Census and statistics: The census enumeration will be completed by end-2008 and thecomplete results published. Reliable statistical baselines will be established for allquantitative benchmarks by mid-2007 and statistical capacity built to track progressagainst them.Rule of law: By end-2010, the legal framework required under the constitution, includingcivil, criminal, and commercial law, will be put in place, distributed to all judicial andlegislative institutions, and made available to the public.By end-2010: Functioning institutions of justice will be fully operational in each province ofAfghanistan; and the average time to resolve contract disputes will be reduced as muchas possible.• The establishment of environmental units in key ministries with sectoralenvironmental mandates should be implemented (e.g. Ministry ofAgriculture, Irrigation and Livestock; Ministry of Energy and Water;Ministry of Rehabilitation and Rural Development; Ministry of Mines andIndustries, Ministry of Public Health; Ministry of Transport and CivilAviation; Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Urban Development andHousing; Ministry of Women’s Affairs; Ministry of Justice; Ministry ofEducation; Ministry of Finance).• None.• The National Assembly requires training in regard to environmentalissues, in particular environmental law and policy, and multilateralenvironmental agreements.• None.• None.• An environmental regulatory framework has been established with theenactment of the Environment Law (January 2007) and with the ongoingdevelopment of associated, sector-specific regulations. This frameworkwill similarly be distributed to relevant institutions and the public as eachregulation is issued. Successful implementation of the framework will relyon the environmental units, participation by respective Ministries in theCommittee for Environmental Coordination, training by NEPA and publicawareness messages.• Training of judicial officers in relation to the country’s environmental lawsand regulations is required.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 27

28CG2WG6-2.3CG2WG6-2.3CG2WG6-2.3CG2WG7-2.4CG2WG8-2.5Land registration: A process for registration of land in all administrative units and theregistration of titles will be started for all major urban areas by end-2006 and all otherareas by end- 2010. A fair system for settlement of land disputes will be in place by end-2007. Registration for rural land will be under way by end-2007.Human rights: By end-2010: The Government’s capacity to comply with and report on itshuman rights treaty obligations will be strengthened; Government security and lawenforcement agencies will adopt corrective measures including codes of conduct andprocedures aimed at preventing arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, extortion and illegalexpropriation of property with a view to the elimination of these practices; the exercise offreedom of expression, including freedom of media will be strengthened; human rightsawareness will be included in education curricula, and promoted among legislators,judicial personnel and other Government agencies, communities and the public; humanrights monitoring will be carried out by the Government and independently by the AfghanIndependent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), and the UN will track the effectivenessof measures aimed at the protection of human rights; and the AIHRC will be supported inthe fulfilment of its objectives with regard to monitoring, investigation, protection andpromotion of human rights.Anti-Corruption: The UN Convention against Corruption will be ratified by end- 2006,national legislation adapted accordingly by end-2007 and a monitoring mechanism tooversee implementation will be in place by end-2008.Religious affairs [from ANDS]: By end-2010: religious institutions and scholars, both menand women, will participate in structured ways on issues of national development policy,and concrete measures will be put in place to ensure that the status and participation ofwomen in Islamic activities increase, both locally and internationally.Gender: By end-2010: the National Action Plan for Women in Afghanistan will be fullyimplemented; and in line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, female participation in all Afghangovernance institutions, including elected and appointed bodies and the civil service, willbe strengthened.• The system relating to land disputes needs to also address disputesrelating to access to natural resources (e.g. rangeland).• Environment is a human right, as recognised by its inclusion inAfghanistan’s Bill of Rights. Environmental rights should be included inthe development of awareness raising materials and curricula, and intraining activities undertaken by the AIHRC.• Effective establishment and enforcement of land rights, conflict-resolutionmechanisms and regimes of utilisation for natural resources in urban andrural areas require necessary anti-corruption incentives.• The principles of sustainable development contained in the Qur’an shouldbe incorporated into issues of national development policy.Correspondingly, participation of religious scholars in the NationalEnvironmental Advisory Council (NEAC) will inform the progress ofenvironmental governance and management.• As the majority of the most poor and vulnerable sector of Afghan society,women play decisive and important roles in managing and conservingbiodiversity, water, land and other resources for household livelihood andhealth. Yet their centrality is often ignored and not fully understood.Environmental issues should be incorporated into the NAPWA toencourage better management of natural resources, as well as greaterproductivity for human sustenance and economic development. TheNAPWA can function as a vehicle, in conjunction with environment andeducation initiatives, to increase female participation in environmentalmanagement at all levels of governance.28AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

c) Sector 3: Infrastructure and Natural ResourcesCG3WG9-3.1CG3WG10-3.2CG3WG11-3.3CG3WG12-3.4CG3WG12-3.4CG3Roads: Afghanistan will have a fully upgraded and maintained ring road, as well as roadsconnecting the ring road to neighbouring countries by 2008, and a fiscally sustainablesystem for road maintenance by end-2007.Air transport: By end-2010: Kabul International Airport and Herat Airport will achieve fullInternational Civil Aviation Organisation compliance; Mazar, Jalalabad and Kandahar willbe upgraded with runway repairs, air navigation, fire and rescue and communicationsequipment; and seven other domestic airports will be upgraded to facilitate domestic airtransportation; and air transport services and costs will be increasingly competitive withinternational market standards and rates.Telecommunications [from ANDS]: By end-2010: a national telecommunications networkwill be put in place so that more than 80% of Afghans will have access to affordabletelecommunications, and more than $100 million dollars per year is generated in publicrevenue.Energy: By end-2010: electricity will reach at least 65% of households and 90% of nonresidentialestablishments in major urban areas, and at least 25% of households in ruralareas; at least 75% of the costs will be recovered from users connected to the nationalpower grid; and a strategy for the development and the use of renewable energies will bedeveloped by end-2007.Water resource management: Sustainable water resource management strategies andplans, covering irrigation and drinking water supply, will be developed by end-2006 andirrigation investments will result in at least 30% of water coming from large waterworks byend-2010.Urban development: By end-2010: Municipal governments will have strengthenedcapacity to manage urban development and to ensure that municipal services are• Environmental impact assessments must to be undertaken in accordancewith the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to theconstruction of new roads that may have a significant adverse impact onthe environment.• Environmental impact assessments must to be undertaken in accordancewith the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to construction ofnew airports, or the upgrading of existing ones.• Environmental impact assessments must to be undertaken in accordancewith the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to the erection ofcommunication masts where their erection may have a significantadverse impact on the environment.• The environmental impact assessment and pollution control provisions ofthe Environment Law and upcoming regulations must be complied with inregard to the construction, upgrading and operation of facilities andinfrastructure required to generate and transmit electricity.• Reliance on fossil fuels needs to be reduced both because fossil fuels area finite, non-renewable resource and due to the generation of greenhousegases contained in fossil fuel emissions. Further investment in andincentives for renewable energies, clean technologies and energyefficiency are required.• The basic ecological needs of Afghanistan’s water resources need to bebalanced against social and livelihood demands.• Pollution of water resources needs to be prevented and controlledthrough development and enforcement of water quality standards andregulations.• Protection should be afforded to wetlands and other water resources ofhigh ecological value.• Public awareness raising of the value of water, a limited resource inAfghanistan, is required.• The development of adequate sanitation systems in urban areas isimportant to reduce the adverse effects of waste and sewage on humanAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 29

WG13-3.5CG3WG14-3.6CG3WG14-3.6delivered effectively, efficiently and transparently; and in line with Afghanistan’s MDGs,investment in water supply and sanitation will ensure that 50% of households in Kabul and30% of households in other major urban areas will have access to piped water.Mining and natural resources: An enabling regulatory environment for profitable extractionof Afghanistan’s mineral and natural resources will be created by end-2006, and by end-2010 the investment environment and infrastructure will be enhanced in order to attractdomestic and foreign direct investment in this area.Environment: In line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, environmental regulatory frameworks andmanagement services will be established for the protection of air and water quality, wastemanagement and pollution control, and natural resource policies will be developed andimplementation started at all levels of government as well as the community level, by end-2007.health and the environment.• Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordancewith the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to theconstruction or upgrading of facilities for the storage and treatment ofwaste and sewage and landfills.• Zoning and related enforcement of residential and commercial areas isrequired to mitigate unplanned settlements and commercial development.• Public awareness raising is required regarding the impacts of poor wastemanagement practices on human health and the environment.• Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordancewith the Environment Law and Minerals Law and EIA regulations inregard to the abstraction of mineral resources. The legal and regulatoryframework for profitable extraction of mineral and natural resources mustnot contravene the sustainable management framework for naturalresources established by the Environment Law.• Environmental issues require mainstreaming within the developmentframework for Afghanistan.30d) Sector 4: EducationCG4WG15-4.1CG4WG15-4.1CG4WG15-4.1CG4WG16-4.2Primary and secondary education: By end-2010: in line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, netenrolment in primary school for girls and boys will be at least 60% and 75% respectively; anew curriculum will be operational in all secondary schools, female teachers will beincreased by 50%; 70% of Afghanistan’s teachers will have passed a competency test,and a system for assessing learning achievement such as a national testing system forstudents will be in place.Higher education: By end 2010: enrolment of students to universities will be 100,000 withat least 35% female students; and the curriculum in Afghanistan’s public universities willbe revised to meet the development needs of the country and private sector growth.Skills development: A human resource study will be completed by end-2006, and 150,000men and women will be trained in marketable skills through public and private means byend-2010.Afghan cultural heritage: A comprehensive inventory of Afghan cultural treasures will becompiled by end-2007. Measures will be taken to revive the Afghan Cultural heritage, tostop the illegal removal of cultural material and to restore damaged monuments and• The development of new curricula should include elements ofenvironmental education and awareness raising.• Universities and polytechnics need to develop their capacities to offerdegrees or diplomas in environmental management specifically or relatedtopic such as environmental engineering, ecology, conservation andwildlife biology.• Environmental considerations should be built in to the training materialsfor skills development.• Natural and cultural heritage should be conserved with regard to theprovisions of the Environment Law.30AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CG4WG16-4.2artefacts by end-2010.Media and Sports [from ANDS]: by end 2010: the media will be protected as independent,pluralistic and accessible to Afghan women and men throughout the country, therebypromoting an open and democratic society. Sports will be promoted, with specialemphasis on creating access for children, women and the disabled.• None.e) Sector 5: HealthCG5WG17-5.1Health and Nutrition: By end-2010, in line with Afghanistan’s MDGs, the Basic Package ofHealth Services will be extended to cover at least 90% of the population, maternalmortality will be reduced by 15%, and full immunisation coverage for infants under-5 forvaccine preventable diseases will be achieved and their mortality rates reduced by 20%.• The link between poor environmental practices and human well-beingneeds to be mainstreamed through public health programmes related tohygiene and sanitation, communicable diseases, industrial health andsafety and nutrition programmes on the importance of the environment forfood security.• The application of upcoming air and water quality, pollution control andwaste management standards and regulations and natural resourcemanagement policies is important for this benchmark.• Public awareness raising required.f) Sector 6: Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentCG6WG18-6.1CG6WG18-6.1Agriculture and Livestock: By end-2010: The necessary institutional, regulatory andincentive framework to increase production and productivity will be established to createan enabling environment for legal agriculture and agriculture-based rural industries, andpublic investment in agriculture will increase by 30 percent; and particular considerationwill be given to perennial horticulture, animal health and food security by institutingspecialised support agencies and financial service delivery mechanisms, supportingfarmers’ associations, branding national products, disseminating timely price and weatherrelatedinformation and statistics, providing strategic research and technical assistance,and securing access to irrigation and water management systems.Counter narcotics: By end-2010, the Government will design and implement programmesto achieve a sustained annual reduction in the amount of land under poppy and other drugcultivation, by the strengthening and diversification of licit livelihoods and other counter-• The fundamental principles of environmental management, set out inarticle 5 of the Environment Law and elaborated in the NationalEnvironment Strategy, must be applied by any institution exploitingnatural resources for material gain, or exercising a public function, orcreating or implementing policies and regulatory frameworks that arelikely to affect the management of the natural resources of Afghanistan orthe conservation and rehabilitation of its environment.• The legal and regulatory framework to increase production andproductivity for agriculture and livestock relies on functional environmentalmanagement and environmental resources.• Range management policies and laws need to be founded on theprinciple of sustainability.• The use of environmentally harmful pesticides, such as DDT, must bedeterred.• The introduction of any alien or genetically modified crop or other speciesis regulated in terms of the Environment Law.• The introduction of any alien or genetically modified crop in the place ofpoppy is regulated in terms of the Environment Law.• Social and environmental assessments of eradication techniques, suchAFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 31

32CG6WG19-6.2narcotics measures, as part of the overall goal of a decrease in the absolute and relativesize of the drug economy in line with the Government’s MDG target.Comprehensive rural development: By end-2010: Rural development will be enhancedcomprehensively for the benefit of 19 million people in over 38,000 villages; this will beachieved through the election of at least a further 14,000 voluntary communitydevelopment councils in all remaining villages, promoting local governance andcommunity empowerment; access to safe drinking water will be extended to 90% ofvillages and sanitation to 50%; road connectivity will reach 40% of all villages, increasingaccess to markets, employment and social services; 47% of villages will benefit fromsmall-scale irrigation; 800,000 households (22% of all Afghanistan’s households) willbenefit from improved access to financial services; and livelihoods of at least 15% of therural population will be supported through the provision of 91 million labour days.as aerial spraying, should be conducted.• Licit agriculture livelihoods require environmental sustainability (i.e.irrigation supply, access to land, control over natural resources, erosioncontrol) to eventually compete with the financial consistency of poppy.• Community based natural resource management (CBNRM) principlesshould be incorporated into rural development initiatives.• Development of environment resource management and disputeresolution capability at the community and district levels should beencouraged.• Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordancewith the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to ruralinfrastructure projects.• The air and water quality, waste management and pollution controlregulations and management services and natural resource policies willalso apply to rural development.• Environmental public awareness raising is required in rural areas.g) Sector 7: Social protectionCG7WG20-7.1CG7WG21-7.2CG7WG21-7.2CG7WG21-7.2Humanitarian and disaster response: By end-2010, an effective system of disasterpreparedness and response will be in place.Disabled: By end-2010, increased assistance will be provided to meet the special needsof all disabled people, including their integration in society through opportunities foreducation and gainful employment.Employment of Youth and Demobilised Soldiers: By end-2010, employment opportunitiesfor youth and demobilised soldiers will be increased through special programmes.Refugees and IDPs: By end-2010, all refugees opting to return and internally displacedpersons will be provided assistance for rehabilitation and integration in their localcommunities; and their integration will be supported by national developmentprogrammes, particularly in key areas of return.• The environmental dimensions of disasters, especially in relation tomitigation of and response to natural and industrial disasters, need to beincorporated into relevant policies and plans.• Natural resource management policies, legislation and programmes willcontribute to disaster mitigation and subsequent rehabilitation.• Training and employment programs for environmental and naturalresource based livelihoods should be open to all Afghan citizens.• Youth groups are powerful civil society organisations. Awareness ofenvironmental issues should be incorporated into the programmesdeveloped for youths.• Technical and vocational programs for environmental and naturalresource-related employment should be extend to youth and demobilisedsoldiers.• The impact of returning refugees and IDPs on rural environmentalresources and urban reticulation systems (especially water supply,sanitation and waste disposal) requires consideration.• Technical and vocational programmes for environmental and naturalresource-related employment should be extend to refugees and IDPs.32AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

CG7WG21-7.2CG7WG21-7.2Vulnerable women: By end-2010, the number of female-headed households that arechronically poor will be reduced by 20%, and their employment rates will be increased by20%.Counter narcotics: By end-2010, the Government will implement programmes to reducethe demand for narcotics and provide improved treatment for drug users.• Chronically poor women play decisive and important roles in managingand conserving biodiversity, water, land and other natural resources forhousehold livelihood and health. Yet their centrality is often ignored andnot fully understood.• Inclusion of women in environment and natural resource-basedlivelihoods programmes in urban and rural areas is crucial to help attainthis benchmark.Lack of legal recognition and access to land title hinders women fromearning a living from natural resources; thus the development of regimes ofutilisation for natural resources and associated legal ability to access landis necessary.• None.h) Sector 8: Economic Governance and Private Sector DevelopmentCG8WG22-8.1CG8WG22-8.1CG8WG22-8.1Financial management: By end-2007, the Government will ensure improved transparentfinancial management at the central and provincial levels through establishing andmeeting benchmarks for financial management agreed with and monitored by theinternational community, including those in the anticipated Poverty Reduction GrowthFacility (PRGF). In turn and in line with improved government accountability, donors willmake more effort to increase the share of total external assistance to Afghanistan thatgoes to the Core Budget.Putting in place a medium term fiscal framework [from ANDS]: The MTFF guides theallocation of all budgetary resources from 1387, and Government will prepare a mediumterm expenditure framework for the 1388 budget and subsequent budgets.Domestic revenues: Afghanistan’s total domestic budgetary revenue – equivalent to 4.5%of estimated legal GDP in 1383 (2004/05) – will steadily increase and reach 8% of GDPby 1389 (2010/11). The ratio of revenue to estimated total recurrent expenditures,including estimated recurrent expenditures in the core and external development budgets,is projected to rise from 28% in 1383 (2004/05) to an estimated 58% in 1389, resulting ina continuing need, in accord with the principles in Annex II, for (1) external assistance tothe Core Budget and (2) increasing cost-effectiveness of assistance that funds recurrent• Environmental mainstreaming extends to financial management ofenvironmental and natural resource management activities.Implementation of environmental management will take place at all levels– national, provincial, district and community – requiring a functionalfinancial management system to instil donor confidence in allocating moreassistance directly to the Core Budget.• Ministries and other governmental authorities are responsible forallocating adequate funding for legally mandated or programmaticpriorities related to the environment during the budget preparationprocess.• The Ministry of Finance should establish either a specific environmentalfocal point, or a cross-cutting review committee to review Ministry budgetsfor appropriate allocations based on legal mandates and programmaticneeds.• None.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 33

34expenditure though the external development budget.CG8WG22-8.1Financial services and markets: Internationally accepted prudential regulations will bedeveloped for all core sectors of banking and non-bank financial institutions by end-2007.The banking supervision function of Da Afghanistan Bank will be further strengthened byend-2007. Re-structuring of state-owned commercial banks will be complete by end-2007.State-owned banks that have not been re-licensed will be liquidated by end-2006.None.CG8WG23-8.2CG8WG23-8.2Private sector development and trade: All legislation, regulations and procedures relatedto investment will be simplified and harmonised by end-2006 and implemented by end-2007. New business organisation laws will be tabled in the National Assembly by end-2006. The Government’s strategy for divestment of State-Owned Enterprises will beimplemented by end-2009.Regional Cooperation: By end-2010: Afghanistan and its neighbours will achieve lowertransit times through Afghanistan by means of cooperative border management and othermulti-lateral or bilateral trade and transit agreements; Afghanistan will increase theamount of electricity available through bilateral power purchase and cross border hydroprojects; and Afghanistan and its neighbours will reach agreements to enable Afghanistanto import skilled labour from its neighbours and to enable Afghans to seek work in theregion and send remittances home.• The relevant regulatory provisions of the Environment Law and upcomingregulations that relate to environmental impact assessment and pollutioncontrol must be complied with.• The legal, regulatory and procedural framework for must consider the roleof the private sector in environmental management.• Transboundary trade in banned or restricted goods (such as ozonedepleting substances and endangered species) must be deterred throughregional border cooperation.• Several environmental issues and geographical areas of significancerequire regional cooperation for effective management.• Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordancewith the Environment Law and EIA regulations in regard to cross-borderinfrastructure projects.34AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

Afghanistan CompactBenchmark3.7 EnvironmentVersion 29 April 2008Responsible AgenciesMatrix for Capturing Progress of Process IndicatorsIn line with Afghanistan's MDGs, environmental regulatory frameworks and management services will be established for the protection of air and water quality, wastemanagement and pollution control, and natural resource policies will be developed and implementation started at all levels of government as well as the community level,by 2010.National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), UNEP, EC, Government of Finland, other potential donorsMilestoneIndicator or its Components[lead agencies]Weight relative to 10 indicators Milestone 1 Milestone 2 Milestone 3 Milestone 4 Milestone 5 Milestone 6 Milestone 7 Milestone 8 Milestone 9 Milestone 10Milestone11Milestone12Milestone131 EnvironmentLaw[NEPA,UNEP]Weight: 20 %2 OzoneRegulations[NEPA,UNEP]Weight: 7 %MilestonedetailWeightDrafting oflawStakeholderconsultationon the draftlaw atprovinciallevelStakeholderconsultationon the draftlaw at centrallevelRevision ofdraft lawSubmissionof draft lawto MoJConsultationwithstakeholdersand revisionof draft lawSubmissionto - andapproval ofthe reviseddraft law by -thelegislativecommittee ofthe cabinetSubmissionto - andapproval ofthe reviseddraft law by -the cabinetSubmission to- andapproval ofthe reviseddraft law by -theenvironmentcommissionsof the WolesiandMeshranoJirgaSubmission toand approvalof the reviseddraft law bytheParliamentGazettenotificationof the finallawTraining ofstaff ofNEPA andotherstakeholderinsitutions oninterpretationandapplicationof the law.Target date Dec-07 Jun-09AchievementdateMilestonedetailWeightJun-04 Mar-05 Apr-05 Apr-05 May-05 Nov-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Nov-06 Jan-07 Mar-07 Dec-07Drafting ofregulationsStakeholderconsultationon the draftregulations atcentral levelRevision ofdraftregulationsSubmissionof draftregulations toMoJConsultationwithstakeholdersand revisionof draftregulationsSubmissionto - andapproval ofthe reviseddraftregulationsby - thelegislativecommitteeof thecabinetGazettenotificationof the finalregulationsDeliverCustomsOfficersTrainingProgrammeandRegionalCooperationWorkshop incombatingillegal tradein OzoneDepletingSubstances(ODS) in theRegion.Kabul (35customofficers)DeliverCustomsOfficersTrainingProgrammeand RegionalCooperationWorkshop incombatingillegal trade inOzoneDepletingSubstances(ODS) in theRegion.Herat (25customofficers)Target date Mar-08 Jul-08 Nov-08DeliverCustomsOfficersTrainingProgrammeand RegionalCooperationWorkshop incombatingillegal trade inOzoneDepletingSubstances(ODS) in theRegion.Nangarhar(25 customofficers)Training ofjudiciary intheinterpretationandapplicationof the law.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 35

MilestoneIndicator or its Components[lead agencies]Weight relative to 10 indicators Milestone 1 Milestone 2 Milestone 3 Milestone 4 Milestone 5 Milestone 6 Milestone 7 Milestone 8 Milestone 9 Milestone 10Milestone11Milestone12Milestone13AchievementdateMay-05 Oct-05 Dec-05 Dec-05 Mar-06 Jul-06 6-Aug-06 Mar-083 EIARegulations[NEPA,UNEP]Weight: 10 %4 EIAAdministrativeGuidelines[NEPA,UNEP]Weight: 5 %MilestonedetailWeightDrafting ofregulationsStakeholderconsultationon the draftregulations atcentral levelRevision ofdraftregulationsSubmissionof draftregulations toMoJConsultationwithstakeholdersand revisionof draftregulationsSubmissionto - andapproval ofthe reviseddraftregulationsby - thelegislativecommitteeof thecabinetGazettenotificationof the finalregulationsTraining ofstaff ofNEPA andotherstakeholderinsitutions oninterpretationandapplicationof theregulations.Target date Nov-07 Nov-07 Mar-08 Mar-09 Mar-09AchievementdateMilestonedetailWeightNov-06 Feb-07 Mar-07 Apr-07 Oct-07 Mar-08Drafting ofguidelinesStakeholderconsultationon the draftadministrativeguidelines atcentral levelRevision ofdraftadministrativeguidelinesApproval andissuance ofadministrativeguidelines byNEPAthroughexecutiveorderTraining ofstaff ofNEPA andotherstakeholderinsitutions oninterpretationandapplicationof theguidelines.Target date Apr-08 May-08 Jun-08 Jun-09AchievementdateNov-06Training ofjudiciary intheinterpretationandapplication oftheregulations.5Air QualityPolicy[NEPA,UNEP, Donorto beidentified]Weight: 7 %MilestonedetailWeightPreparationof TOR's forexpertRecruitmentof expertResearchand draftingof policyStakeholderconsultationon the draftpolicy atcentral levelRevision ofdraft policyApprovalandissuance ofpolicy byNEPAthroughexecutiveorderTraining ofstaff ofNEPA andotherstakeholderinsitutions oninterpretationandapplicationof the policy.Set up aninsitutionalsystem formonitoringEstablishmentof samplingsystem andtraining oftechniciansEstablishmentof laboratoryand trainingof techniciansTarget date Apr-08 Jul-08 Nov-08 Jan-09 Jun-09 Dec-09 Dec-10 Jun-11 Jun-12 Jun-12 Dec-12AchievementdateApr-08Periodicpublicationof results.36AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)

MilestoneIndicator or its Components[lead agencies]Weight relative to 10 indicators Milestone 1 Milestone 2 Milestone 3 Milestone 4 Milestone 5 Milestone 6 Milestone 7 Milestone 8 Milestone 9 Milestone 10Milestone11Milestone12Milestone136 DrinkingWater QualityPolicy[NEPA,UNEP, Donorto beidentified]Weight: 7 %7 WasteManagementPolicy[NEPA,UNEP]Weight: 7 %8 PollutionControlPolicy[NEPA,UNEP]Weight:7 %MilestonedetailWeightPreparationof TOR's forexpertRecruitmentof expertResearchand draftingof policyStakeholderconsultationon the draftpolicy atcentral levelRevision ofdraft policyApprovalandissuance ofpolicy byNEPAthroughexecutiveorderTraining ofstaff ofNEPA andotherstakeholderinsitutions oninterpretationandapplicationof the policy.Set up aninsitutionalsystem formonitoringEstablishmentof samplingsystem andtraining oftechniciansEstablishmentof laboratoryand trainingof techniciansTarget date Apr-08 Jul-08 Nov-08 Jan-09 Jun-09 Dec-09 Dec-10 Jun-11 Jun-12 Jun-12 Dec-12AchievementdateMilestonedetailWeightApr-08Preparationof TOR's forexpertRecruitmentof expertResearchand draftingof policyStakeholderconsultationon the draftpolicy atcentral levelRevision ofdraft policyApprovalandissuance ofpolicy byNEPAthroughexecutiveorderTraining ofstaff ofNEPA andotherstakeholderinsitutions oninterpretationandapplicationof the policy.Set up aninsitutionalsystem formonitoringTarget date Apr-08 Jul-08 Nov-08 Jan-09 Jun-09 Dec-09 Dec-10 Jun-11AchievementdateMilestonedetailWeightApr-08Drafting ofpolicyStakeholderconsultationon the draftpolicy atcentral levelRevision ofdraft policyApproval andissuance ofpolicy byNEPAthroughexecutiveorderTraining ofstaff ofNEPA andotherstakeholderinsitutions oninterpretationandapplicationof the policy.Set up aninsitutionalsystem formonitoringTarget date Jun-08 Jun-09 Jun-10AchievementdateMar-06 Jan-07 Nov-07Periodicpublicationof results.AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS) 37

MilestoneIndicator or its Components[lead agencies]Weight relative to 10 indicators Milestone 1 Milestone 2 Milestone 3 Milestone 4 Milestone 5 Milestone 6 Milestone 7 Milestone 8 Milestone 9 Milestone 10Milestone11Milestone12Milestone139 EnvironmentalQualityStandards(air, water,pollutioncontrol)[NEPA,UNEP, Donorto beidentified]Weight: 10 %10 InstitutionalDevelopmentand CapacityBuilding forEnv.Management[NEPA,UNEP, Donorto beidentified]Weight: 20 %MilestonedetailWeightPreparationof TOR's forexpertRecruitmentof expertResearchand draftingof policyStakeholderconsultationon the draftstandards atcentral levelRevision ofdraftstandardsApprovalandissuance ofstandardsby NEPAthroughexecutiveorderTarget date Apr-08 Jul-08 Nov-08 Jan-09 Jun-09 Dec-09AchievementdateMilestonedetailWeightApr-08Drafting andApproval ofPRR Stage 1Drafting andApproval ofPRR Stage 2Recruitmentof NEPA staffunder thePRR atcentral levelRecruitmentof NEPA staffunder thePRR atprovinciallevelInitiation oftraining ofNEPA staffInitiation ofprovision ofcapitalequipmentfor NEPACapacity of 3provincialNEPAofficesstrengthenedCapacity ofadditional 5provincialNEPAofficesstrengthenedCapacity ofadditional 5provincialNEPA officesstrengthenedCapacity ofadditional 5provincialNEPA officesstrengthenedCapacity ofadditional 5provincialNEPAofficesstrengthenedCapacity ofadditional 5provincialNEPAofficesstrengthenedTarget date Mar-09 Dec-08 Dec-09 Dec-10 Dec-11 Dec-12 Dec-13 Dec-14AchievementdateMar-05 Aug-05 Jun-07 Dec-04 Jun-04Capacity ofadditional 6provincialNEPAofficesstrengthenedMAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and LivestockMEW Ministry of Energy and WaterMoF Ministry of FinanceNEPA National Environmental Protection Agency38AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ANDS)