Afghan government officials, Konar PRT work to solve timber issues

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Members of the Konar Provincial Reconstruction Team facilitated a Shura between Afghan government officials and Konar Province’s local leaders with the hope of coming to a decision on what to do with the current timber situation in the province July 28.

Konar Provincal Governor Fazlullah Wahidid met with the Afghan Minister of Finance Omar Zakhilwal and other officials at his compound in Asadabad to discuss the two main problems in the province; what do with the existing piles of lumber and what to do about the current timber situation.

The day’s events consisted of remarks and issues from the government as well as from Konar timber business leaders, landowners, and elders on how to contribute to protecting the environment, replanting the forest and discussions on a hydro-electric dam to be built in Konar.

One decision made addressed the lumber already cut. The officials want to keep the lumber in Konar and use it for the development of their wood industry and to help build a better Afghanistan. The ministers also asked the elders to get tribal support so they can find a way to stop the illegal cutting of new timber.

The Shura was a successful exercise in raising the awareness of the timber problem and has demonstrated to the people that the government is taking the issue seriously.

“One of our efforts is to decrease the distance between the government and the local population,” said Zakhilwal.

The ministers also agreed to take another look at addressing the timber issues in Konar after the upcoming government elections.
 

Konar Provincal Governor Fazlullah Wahidid addresses Afghan government officials, business leaders, landowners, and elders during a Shura to discuss the province’s timber problem at his compound in Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan July 28. (U.S. Army photo)

Afghanistan’s Minister of Finance Omar Zakhilwal addresses Afghan government officials, business leaders, landowners, and elders during a Shura to discuss the province’s timber problem at the Konar Provincial Governor’s compound in Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan July 28. (U.S. Army photo)