Municipality Warns Of Legal Action Over Tree Felling

KABUL (Pajhwok): With the advent of spring and commencement of a tree plantation campaign, experts and religious scholars stress the importance of protecting the environment to mitigate the impact of climate change.

The Kabul Municipality says damaging trees and public areas will entail legal action.

According to experts, tree plantation is one of the key strategies for protecting the environment and alleviating the effects of climate change in Afghanistan.

Trees play a crucial role in providing clean air, preventing soil erosion and increasing rainfall, explain experts..

They warn indiscriminate tree cutting and the destruction of plants lead to desertification, a reduction in water resources, and increased air pollution.

If this trend continues, they say, future generations will face a shortage of natural resources and irreversible environmental crises.

Mehdi Hameedi, an environmental expert, told Pajhwok Afghan News felling trees and saplings fuelled risks of natural disasters such as droughts, floods, avalanches, landslides and wildfires.

For instance, trees and forests in high-altitude areas like mountains help prevent floods by slowing down their speed and reducing their volume, thereby ensuring human safety.

Hameedi pointed out tree felling led to the release of greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and airborne particulate matter, causing the loss of biodiversity.

Hameedi elaborates cutting trees causes soil erosion because trees play a vital role in maintaining soil quality. Without sapling plantation and the presence of trees, soil quality deteriorates.

He continued:“These saplings help preserve and enhance water resources besides enhancing their quality.”

He estimates each garden tree provides 18 to 20 tonnes of oxygen and the presence of numerous saplings also revitalises soul.

Religious scholars also emphasise on the importance of green spaces and environmental protection.

Noorullah Kawsar, a scholar called greenery, tree plantation and environmental preservation a religious duty and there are Hadith regarding this responsibility.

He said:“Cutting trees and damaging greenery is a sin. Islamic law orders the environment must be protected and trees and forests should not be cut down.”

He said trees praised Allah and cutting them resulted in the loss of a divine attribute, which also harmed oxygen production and nature.

Nevertheless, Kabul inhabitant Mustafa Omari believes cutting trees could have both positive and negative aspects. He says cutting trees for wood, industry and construction is necessary, as these activities can contribute to job creation.

However, he stressed indiscriminate tree felling could lead to environmental degradation, destruction of natural habitats and climate change.

Omari acknowledged trees played an important role in purifying the air and maintaining soil moisture.

Similarly, Zubair Safi, another resident of Kabul, said cutting trees had harmful consequences for the environment and human life.

He argued the destruction of trees ramped up air pollution, cut oxygen production and led to soil erosion, lowering fertility and paving the ground for floods and landslides.

Besides causing environmental problems, it also poses challenges to human life in various ways. Therefore, protecting trees and preventing indiscriminate cutting is the responsibility of every aware citizen.

Safi said,“If we look at it, greenery and a healthy environment play a vital role in the life of every citizen. Preserving and expanding green spaces not only helps improve air quality and reduce pollution but also ensures the physical and mental health of individuals.

“As citizens, we have a responsibility to plant trees, protect nature and prevent environmental degradation to contribute to building a sustainable and beautiful society.”

Niamatullah Barakzai, cultural affairs advisor at the Kabul Municipality, told Pajhwok undoubtedly, the institution was one of the bodies that must take necessary steps for the city's greenery.

Regarding tree cutting by citizens, he said,“The matter is very clear. If anyone causes damage to public areas, including saplings, they will be required to compensate for the damage. We deal with this every year.”

He insisted if individuals cut trees or saplings, whether intentionally or unintentionally, action would be taken in line with relevant rules.

Barakzai said individuals unwilling to pay compensation for the damage would face legal action and security agencies would cooperate with the municipality.

“In this regard, security agencies are certainly cooperating with us. If someone is unwilling to pay compensation, we will take legal action through the judiciary and anyone who causes harm to the city must compensate for it, whether it involves saplings or other public facilities.”

He announced the Kabul Municipality planned to plant one million saplings across the capital city in the solar year 1404.

He informed a million ornamental shrubs, marigold flowers and other plants would also be planted in pots and other areas of Kabul.

sa/mud

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