national horticulture livestock project...
TRANSCRIPT
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Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
NATIONAL HORTICULTURE
&
LIVESTOCK PROJECT (NHLP)
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
(SEA)
November, 2012
Prepared by:
Dr. Emmanuel D. NGOLLO
International Expert Ibrahim Rahamani, HLP Staff
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TABLE OF CONTENT
ACRONYMS.........................................................................................................................................................4
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................................7
LIST OF BOXES...................................................................................................................................................8
LIST OF FIGURES ..............................................................................................................................................9
SUMMARY.........................................................................................................................................................11
PART 1: SEA FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH..............................................20
1.1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................20
1.1.1. National Context: linkage between poverty and environmental degradation ....................................20
1.1.2. Scope of the Stud................................................................................................................................21
1.1.3. SEA Justification and objectives………............................................................................................22
1.2. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................................22
1.2.1. Concept and general views on the SEA..............................................................................................23
1.2.2. Organization of the SEA study for the Agricultural and Rural Development sector ........................25
1.2.3. Plan and structure of the SEA report … ............................................................................................26
1.2.4. Norms and standards of the SEA........................................................................................................26
1.2.5. Constraints and limits of the study......................................................................................................26
PART 2: ANALYSIS OF THE INITIAL STATE DE OF THE BIOPHYSICAL AND HUMAN
ENVIRONMENT OF AFGHANISTAN……………………………………….……………………………27
2.1. GLOBAL PRESENTATION OF THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT...............................................27
2.1.1. Major Climatologic Characteristics ...................................................................................................27
2.1.2. Major physical characteristics of the environment……………………………….............................28
2.1.3. Characteristics of ecosystems and agro-ecological zones…………..................................................29
2.2. GLOBAL PRESENTATION OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT......................................32
2.2.1. Demographic Characteristics…… ....................................................................................................34
2.2.2. Socio-educational Characteristics .....................................................................................................36
2.2.3. Health and Nutrition Characteristics………………….……………….............................................36
PART 3: POLITICAL ANALYSIS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF SEA INTEGRATION………..……...38
3.1. Policy Framework and Strategic Directions for Environmental Integration................................................38
3.1.1. Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction (EGPR)…………………...…….....................................38
3.1.2. National Strategy for Sustainable Development…….........................................................................39
3.1.3. National Agriculture Development Framework and Strategic Orientations.......................................39
3.2. Legal Framework of Environmental Governance for the Integration of SEA.....................................40
3.2.1. Legislation relative to Environmental Assessments .........................................................................42
3.2.2. Analysis of the Consistency of Environmental Governance Instruments with International
Conventions and Community Agreements...................................................................................................43
3.2.3. Analysis of the Consistency with the World Bank Safeguard Policies …………….........................44
3.3. Institutional Framework for the Integration of SEA………..................................................................46 3.3.1. Governmental Institutions...................................................................................................................46
3.3.2. Research Institutions and Non-governmental Actors.........................................................................50
3.3.3. Technical and Financial Partners........................................................................................................51
3.3.4. Framework for Cooperation and Exchange between the Environmental Actors...............................51
3.3.5. Analysis of the Mainstreaming of Environment into Agricultural Policies..… ……….………...…52
3.4. Analysis of Constraints to mainstream SEA into Environmental Governance Instruments ……….53 3.4.1. Constraints for Mainstreaming SEA in the Policy Instruments.........................................................53
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3.4.2. Constraints to Implementing Coherence Environmental Policy in the Agricultural Sector...............54
3.4.3. Constraints Related to the Incompleteness of Legislative Instruments and Environmental
Governance...................................................................................................................................................54
3.4.4. Constraints Related to the Weakness and the Non-application of the Legislation on EIA……........55
3.4.5. Constraints Related to the Inadequacy of the Institutional Framework in Steering SEA Procedures
……………………………………………………………………………………………………...….…...55
3.4.6. Constraints Related to Dialogue Deficit between Stakeholders Involved in the SEA Process.…....57
3.4.7. Constraints Related to the Lack of Technical Expertise in SEA……………....................................58
3.4.8. Constraints related to the weaknesses of financial capacity..........................................................59
PART 4: IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF ISSUES FOR THE INTEGRATION OF SEA IN
THE AGRICULTURE (HORTICULTURE & LIVESTOCK) AND WATER SECTORS IN
AFGHANISTAN……………………………………………………………………………...……60
4.1. Issues Related to the Development of Agriculture and the Integration of SEA...................................60
PART 5: IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
NATIONAL HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PROJECT...............................................62
5.1. Analysis of Impacts Related to Agricultural Sector (Horticulture and Livestock) Programs………62
5.1.1. Potential Positive Environmental Impacts of NHLP..........................................................................65
5.1.2. Potential Negative Environmental Impacts of NHLP.........................................................................66
PART 6: TECHNICAL PROCEDURES AND INCENTIVES MEASURES FOR THE SEA
IMPLEMENTATION…….…………………………………………………………….………...72
6.1. Selection Procedures and Environmental Coverage of NHLP…...........................................................72
6.2. Information and Outreach Programs for Actors on the SEA Procedures ...........................................79
6.3. Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance Program..........................................................................79
6.4. SEA Environmental and Monitoring Indicators.....................................................................................80
6.5. Indicators for the Implementation of SEA...............................................................................................81
6.6. Proper Procedures of SEA Assessment ………………….......................................................................83
6.7. Institutional Capacity Building and Coordination Measures …………………...................................84
6.7.1. Institutional Arrangements for SEA Monitoring and Implementation...............................................85
6.7.2. Establishment of a Steering Committee (SC) ....................................................................................85
6.7.3. Strengthening of Technical Services of Environmental Expertise………...……….….................88
6.8. Measures to Strengthen the Legislative and Regulatory Instruments.…….........................................88
6.9. Measures to Strengthen Environmental Management Tools.……........................................................89
6.10. Financial Capacity Building Measures...................................................................................................90
6.11. Strengthening Equipment and Technical Infrastructure Measures....................................................91
6.12. Training and Human Capacity Building Measures..............................................................................92
6.13 Costs of Implementation and Execution of SEA.....................................................................................92
PART 7: FINAL RECOMMANDATIONS ....................................................................................................94
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................................101
ANNEXES ...............................................................................................................................................119
ANNEX 1: ENVIRONMENTAL SELECTION FORM.................................................................................102
ANNEX 2: LIST OF ENVIRONNEMENTAL CONTROL............................................................................105
ANNEX 3: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING INDICATORS IN SEA FRAMEWORK
(NAURAL ENVIRONMENT)……...………………………………………………………………………106
ANNEX 4: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING INDICATORS IN SEA FRAMEWORK
(PRODUCTION SYSTEM)………………………………………………………………………………..108
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ANNEX 5: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING INDICATORS IN SEA FRAMEWORK
(HUMAN ENVIRONMENT)...........................................................................................................109
ANNEX 6: ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS TO INSERT IN THE BIDDING DOCUMENTS…...110
ANNEX 7: TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE SEA……………………………….………………………113
ANNEX 8: TERMS OF REFERENCE OF NATIONAL CONSULTANTS………………………………...114
ANNEX 9: MANDATE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SEA STEERING COMMITTEE……..........121
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Acronyms
ACBAR Agency Coordinating Body for Afghanistan Refugees
ACIAR Australian Center for International Agricultural Research
ADB Asian Development Bank
CWS Clean Water Supply
ALP Alternative Livelihood program
ANDS Afghanistan National Development Strategy
APAARI Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research International
ARC Afghanistan Relief Committee
AREA Agency for Rehabilitation and Energy Conservation in Afghanistan
ARIA Agricultural Research Institute of Afghanistan
AuAID Australia Agency for International Development
BP Bank Policy
BPHS Basic Package for Health Service
CADG Central Asia Development group
CARD Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development
CBNRM Community-Based Natural Resources management
CDC Community Development Council
CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
CIMMYT International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
CITES Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species
CMS Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species
DACAAR Danish Committee for Aid to Afghanistan Refugees
DDAs District Development Assemblies
DFID Department for international Development
EC European Commission
ECO Economic Cooperation Organization
EGPR Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EIN Environmental Impact Note
EPHS Essential Package for Hospital Services
ESMF Environmental and Social management Framework
ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FDA française Development Agency
GAIN Greening Afghanistan Initiative
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GEF Global Environment Facility
GIZ German International Technical Cooperation
HLP Horticulture and Livestock Project
IAIDS Improving Agricultural Inputs Supply System
i-ANDs Interim Afghanistan National Development Strategy
IAP Invasive Aquatic Plant
IARC International Agricultural Research Centers
ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
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IDB Islamic Development Bank
IDPs Internally Displaced People
IFAD International Fund for agricultural Development
IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute
IMP Integrated Pest Management
IRA Islamique Republic of Afghanistan
IRC International Rescue Committee
IRDP Irrigation Rehabilitation Development Project
IWRM Integrated Water Resource Management
JICA Japanese International Cooperation Assistance
MADERA Mission d’Aide au Développement des Economies Rurales en Afghanistan
MAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
MDGs Millenium Development Goals
MEW Ministry of Energy and Water
MMI Ministry of Mines and Industry
MoPH Ministry of Public health
MRRD Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
MUDH Ministry of Urban Development and Housing
NADF National Agricultural Development Framework
NEAC National Environmental Advisory Council
NEPA National Environmental Protection Agency
NGOs Non Governmental Organizations
NHLP National Horticulture and Livestock Project
NPASP National Protected Areas System Plan
NRVA National Risk Vulnerability Assessment
NVETB National Vocational Education Board
OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation for Development
OFWMP On-Farm water Management Project
OP Operational Policy
PASA Participating Agency Service Agreement
PEAC Provincial Environmental Advisory Council
PEI Poverty-Environment Initiative
PIAR Prioritization Implementation Action Plan
POP Persistent organic Pollutants
PPMP Pests and Pesticide Management Plan
PPP Policy, Plan and Programme
PPQD Plant Protection and Quarantine Directorate
PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
QCD Quality Control Directorate
RAMP Rebuilding Agricultural Market Program
RARS Regional Agricultural Research Station
RPPR Regional Participatory Poverty Reduction
SAIC Spanish Agency for International Cooperation
SC Steering Committee
SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment
SLM Sustainable Land Management
TFP Technical and Financial Partners
TORs Terms of Reference
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UN United Nations
UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDP United Nations Development Programmer
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCO United Nation Education, Science and Culture Organization
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNICEF United Nations… Children… Fund
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs Crime
UNOPS United Nations Office of Project Services
USAID United States Agency for International Development
USDA United State Department of Agriculture
WB World Bank
WFP World Food Programme
WHO World Health Organization
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List of Tables
Table 1: Comparative Table SEA /EIA ......................................................................................................25
Table 2: Compliance Analysis and consistency with environmental safeguard policies............................44
Table 3: Potentially triggered World Bank Safeguard Policies …………………………………………..45
Table 4: Level of integration of the environment and SEA in the strategic guidance documents ……….52
Table 5: Synthesis of constraints for the integration of SEA at MAIL…………..….................................55
Table 6: Compendium of common waterborne diseases in the case of irrigated agriculture .....................66
Table 7: Summary of the selection phases and environmental compliance of the programs arising from
rural development (Agriculture and Livestock) sector ………………...........................................75
Table 8: Canvas for information and awareness………..............................................................................79
Table 9: Training Themes of Required in Environmental Assessment, SEA and EIA ..............................91
Table 10: SEA implementation Cost…………………………...................................................................93
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List of Boxes
Box 1: Summary of the main Elements of the SEA Report…….. .............................................................19
Box 2: Summary of Negative Impacts associated with Agricultural (horticulture and livestock)
Development Programs ...................................................................................................................22
Box 3: Framework of Best Environmental Practices in Agricultural Sector……………………………...70
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List of Figures & Maps
Figure 1: Hierarchy between Policy, Plan and Program……… .................................................................24
Figure 2: Place of the SEA and the EIA in the Hierarchy of policies, Plans and Programs ......................24
Figure 3: Flow Diagram of screening to apply to Agricultural Development Programs……………........77
Figure 4: Institutional Framework for SEA Monitoring and Implementation..........................................86
Map 1: Agro-Ecological Zones of Afghanistan, with Predominant Land Use……………………………28
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. Framework and Context for the Realization of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
The authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) of the Islamic Republic
of Afghanistan (IRA), aware of the country’s richness of the natural resources and the importance of the
environmental preservation for sustainable development, have committed factual actions on the
protection of the environment through the elaboration of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in
the development of National Horticulture and Livestock Project (NHLP) from the expansion of an
emergency project, the Horticulture and Livestock Project (HLP), to a nationwide project.
To achieve this integration and reduce the natural and anthropogenic threats, the Afghan Government, in
collaboration with World Bank through the NHLP, would like to focus on the environmental dimension
through the realization of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as a unifying tool for a better
integration of environmental considerations into policies, plans and programs related to agricultural
development.
The tool is of growing interest in many developing countries and its implementation in this agricultural
program in MAIL through NHLP should allow for (i) the prospective analysis of environmental issues at
the highest level of the MAIL; (ii) the assessment of the incidence of agricultural policies in line with
subsequent environmental problems during NHLP implementation; (iii) the identification and analysis of
different options, possible alternatives solutions or scenarios at the level of NHLP, taking into account the
major issues and the sensitivity of the local environment; (iv) the identification of environmental
indicators to strengthen the implementation of the NHLP, with regard to the preservation of the
environmental quality, and the prevention of potential conflicts, etc.; (v) the proposals to decision-makers
by providing a context of informed and transparent planning; and (vi) the implementation of harmonious
decision-making in MAIL with good environmental governance tools.
More specifically, on one the hand this study is to identify a common understanding of the environmental
risks associated with the development of NHLP through an analysis of institutional, legislative and
regulatory frameworks. On the other hand, it is the development of structures of discussion and
consultation between key stakeholders through the integration of environmental issues in existing
programs and strategies in the MAIL.
2. Diagnosis of the Initial Environment for SEA Implementation in NHLP
The Afghan economy is largely dominated by the primary sector (agriculture and livestock), which
occupies more than 80% of the national workforce in rural areas and between 55% and 65% nationally.
Agriculture is limited by scarcity and erratic rainfall (7% the arable land is under rain-fed cultivation
while 5% is irrigated). The total arable land represents about 12% of the territory. Two basic farming
patterns exist: a mixed crop and livestock system, and the Kuchi pastoral system. The latter implies a
nomadic existence, named after the Kuchi communities who undertake a seasonal transfer of grazing
animals to different pastures (a practice termed transhumance).
Afghanistan has also long been noted for many kinds of fruit (including apricots, apples, pomegranates,
and grapes) and nuts (principally almonds, walnuts and wild pistachio). Such crops can provide twenty
times more income than wheat from the equivalent area. In the 1970s dried fruit, raisins and nuts
contributed more than 40 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings, although the years of
conflict have meant that the country has lost some of its former market niches.
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On the environmental point of view, most of the country appears to be subject to some degree of land
degradation, as much of the land surface is used as rangeland for grazing livestock, encroachment for
agricultural activities, poor land management, soil erosion, and vegetation replacement. Tree cover was
formerly more extensive than at present, but inhabitants of villages harvest annual and perennial shrubs
for use and sale as fuel wood and fodder, which in some cases collect them by manually uprooting the
entire plant. This practice has dramatic implications and effects on surface soil stability, and leads to
increased soil erosion through wind and rain, and lower water holding capacity of the soil.
The potential for re-growth is likely to be seriously affected by heavy fuelwood collection or illegal
timber harvesting that far outstrips woodland regeneration, and by browsing and grazing domestic
livestock, leading to an alarming destruction rate. The alternatives to forest fuels (butane gas, alternative
energy, rural electrification), has not yet had significant impact and sustainable management of wood
energy resources is an environmental and energy challenge of the country.
Moreover, the non-adapted agriculture and livestock and deforestation techniques have accelerated
environmental degradation and are the engine of desertification, vegetation and soil degradation, with as a
corollary a reduction of production potential and the progressive movement of the pastoral zone to the
agricultural land.
Analysis of initial state of biophysical and human environments of Afghanistan reveals two specific
situations namely: (i) continued trends in degradation of natural environment characterized by a very
fluctuating and deficit rainfall regime, continues to desertification, adverse effects of natural disasters and
persistence of poverty in rural areas; (ii) a transition from a pastoral, nomadic pastoralist (Kuchi) towards
a tending stable and mixed settled pastoral-farmer life, creating new socio-economic issues for which the
country has very little means and management capabilities.
Thus, the implementation of SEA in the NHLP by the MAIL must take into account the fragility of the
environment as described above. This initial situation will be the level marker (or zero state) from which
we can assess the effectiveness of SEA as well as the relevance of the mitigation measures and good
practice guides that are being proposed in the framework for environmental and social management Plan
(ESMP) for the NHLP implementation.
3. Diagnosis of the institutional framework and the issues related to the implementation of SEA in
NHLP
The establishment of Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) in 2005 marked
a new step in the commitment of the Government to work towards the achievement of the objectives of
sustainable development and the strengthening of the integration of the environment into sectoral
policies. NEPA, which has designed Environmental Law, serves as Afghanistan's environmental policy-
making and regulatory institution. Its role is to regulate, coordinate, monitor and enforce environmental
laws. The agency is expected to play a major role in environmental protection, as well as to be the central
point in dealing with the management of Afghanistan's environment so that it benefits all the citizens of
Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is signatory to several international and regional agreements and conventions relating to the
protection of the environment, some of which are applicable to the agricultural sector in general, and are
related to the implementation of NHLP. But, the implementation of most of these conventions and their
integration into the Afghan’s legislation and regulations remain limited and little concerted.
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The country has adopted a wide range of legislations for the protection and sustainable management of
the environment and natural resources (the Environment Act in 2007, Environmental Impact Assessment
Policy in 2004, revised in 2007), which are also applicable to Agricultural sector development. Several
other texts and regulations have been adopted to integrate environmental concerns into agricultural
policies and to involve more broadly the rural populations (Water Law, Pastoral Law, Forestry Act, Land
and State Property Regulation, Fishing Act, law on participatory management of the wetlands, etc.). But
the regulatory framework, however, has limits due to the lack of enforcement, the lack of effective
control, the low harmonization of the texts and insufficient coordination of stakeholders involved in the
field of the environment, and above all, the lack of financial resources.
Despite the existence of a legislation on the EIA, it should be recognized that this legislation has
constraints on the ground, particularly concerning: (i) the effective application of EIA procedures by
private and public promoters; (ii) monitoring of the implementation of the ESMP; (iii) the expertise and
the means for implementing the analysis of quality and for producing compliance reports; (iv) the
ownership of the EIA process by the rural development ministries; (v) the coordination, monitoring and
harmonization of rural development texts for a better consideration of the EIA procedures.
Moreover, the human capacity weakness for analysis and management of cross-cutting issues of the
environment is one of the major constraints of environmental policy application of the SEA procedures at
the level of MAIL. The current MAIL capabilities are very low (human resources, technical ability,
methodology, data analysis, etc.) in several areas, particularly in terms of the implementation of the
decision-making tools (i.e., SEA, EIA, ESMF) and their monitoring and control, as well as for
environmental education, development and implementation of economic tools linking the environment to
agricultural development and poverty reduction.
4. Agricultural Development Issues and linkages to SEA Integration
In the field of agriculture, the main environmental issues seem to be particularly around concerns linked
to irrigated crops as well as biological and chemical degradation of soils. Concerning livestock farming,
the major environmental issues lie at the level of overgrazing, the permanent settlement, forage
availability and desertification of grazing routes, as well as the pollution problem generated by the
biomedical waste at the point of livestock health/vaccination centers of veterinary field units. Moreover,
another issue related to livestock farming lies in the management of cohabitation conflicts between the
farmers and herders. These issues constitute a major constraint in the SEA implementation framework.
Agriculture is a vital area for the Afghanistan economy, both from the point of view of crop and animal
production and the creation of direct jobs associated. In rural areas, livestock farming is often the first and
sometimes the only source of household income. It can be expected that the development of NHLP is
accompanied by (i) the clearing of forest and encroachment on rangeland for new orchards, that may
result in the destruction of vegetation and ecosystems constituting ecological habitat of wildlife fauna; (ii)
the switching of nomadic management of livestock, based on the extensive use of the space, to a settling
mode which is strongly consumer of water resources and vegetation, associated with a continuous growth
of the herd; (iii) an important imbalance between feed/forage availability and animal load, especially
around water points close to the areas of crop production; (iv) a trend characterized by settling around
water points leading to intensive livestock operational modes and overgrazing, particularly in periods of
rainfall deficit; (v) an intensive use of pesticides, fertilizer and other chemical inputs, necessary for the
improvement of horticultural production; (vi) an enhanced demographic pressure and difficulties of
access to productive land, which can result in conflicts between farmers and herders.
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In summary, one will keep in mind that the consideration of the NHLP issues and the integration of SEA
into MAIL policies should provide guidance on good practices for the development of NHLP. These
aspects will be discussed in detail in the ESMF framework.
5. Recommendations for SEA Implementation in the MAIL
Institutional Arrangements for SEA Monitoring and Implementation: The implementation and the
execution of SEA in the NHLP require the establishment of functional structures that will ensure the
coordination, monitoring and integration of SEA into policies, plans and programs at the MAIL level.
The scheme proposed as institutional arrangement aims to put in place (i) a Steering Committee (SC) for
the coordination of all SEA procedures; (ii) an Environmental Directorate at the level of the MAIL; (iii)
an Environment Focal Points that will be the transmission chain for the operationalization of SEA in
NHLP and other programs. These institutional arrangements for coordination and consultation will have
to be discussed with the main stakeholders involved in the SEA implementation and monitoring.
Strengthening of Environmental Expertise in MAIL: The MAIL currently has a General Directorate of
Natural Resources Management that can complete an "environmental function" in its programs. However,
the integration of the environment in the implementation of MAIL programs must follow in a step-by-
step approach, through the capacity strengthening of the various line MAIL directorates concerned.
To ensure the effectiveness and functionality of these coordinating structures, all agents concerned or
involved in the Steering Committee, in the directorates, including the Focal Points and representatives of
local communities, will have to receive training in SEA and EIA.
These trainees should benefit from the support and assistance from NEPA’s Division of Environmental
Management and sustainable Development, to conduct the following required actions in the
implementation of SEA: (a) identification of key actors for the implementation of the Steering Committee
(SC) responsible for the implementation of the SEA process in the MAIL; (b) awareness and incentives
for the creation of the Environment Unit in MAIL; (c) filling of the form for the selection of
environmental programs (see annex 1); (d) analysis of mitigation measures proposed in the list of
environmental control (see annex 2); (e) preparation of the TORs for horticultural and livestock
subprojects requiring a separate EIA; (f) recruitment of consultants (local/international) and the
specialized firms qualified to carry out the SEA and EIA, if necessary; (g) dissemination of the SEA and
EIA reports to key stakeholders and appropriate institutions; (h) carrying out of environmental
monitoring, in collaboration by the relevant MAIL services; (i) organization of workshops for
information, awareness and training on the SEA and EIA in the NHLP.
Strengthening and Rigorous Enforcement of Legal and Regulatory Instruments: While highlighting
the remarkable advances of the Policy on the environmental impact studies, there are no clear cuts
emerging in the provisions of this text that clearly relate to the SEA in Afghanistan. Neither the Policies
nor the Environment Law issued does not mention the difference between Environmental Assessment
(EA, i.e. a process of estimating and evaluating significant short-term and long-term effects of
a program or project on the quality of its location's environment) and Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA, i.e. an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on
the environment, together consisting of the environmental, social and economic aspects) as this often
produces some confusion in terminology, procedures and the definition of certain concepts. Therefore,
there is a dire need for the completion of this policy and Law to integrate the SEAs.
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Strengthening of Environmental Management Tools: The implementation of SEA requires
strengthening technical measures concerning the development of a number of environmental governance
tools, to be used not only to the environment Focal Points, but also to MAIL contractors and their
affiliates, namely: (i) environmental guidelines and the field guides in horticulture and livestock
development (e.g., sustainable land management guide, procedures for use of pesticides, etc.); (ii) a
manual of environmental agreements to insert into the bidding documents of the NHLP subprojects; (iii)
an environmental database relating to the fields of horticulture and livestock.
Strengthening of Financial Capacity: The implementation of the current SEA in NHLP can only
succeed if appropriate environmental funding mechanisms are implemented at the level of NEPA, that is
responsible for the environment with important portfolio for agriculture sector that could support MAIL
in implementing the SEA in NHLP.
This situation fully justified the inclusion of the financial aspects of the environment in the budget
planning of MAIL at substantial levels, which is not the case for the moment. Because of the lack of
funding in NEPA for its core activities, it is necessary to seek other potential sources among which: (i)
the international agencies, specialized and/or involved in the environment; (ii) the introduction of the
ecotax and the application of the "polluter-payer"; (iii) the exploration of the carbon credit segment; (iv)
opportunities for direct funding from local authorities and financial partners.
Strengthening of Human Capacity: The training of actors involved in the implementation of SEA is a
key step that must intervene early in the process. This training will not only target the Environment Focal
Points in MAIL headquarters, but also officials of decentralized technical services at the provincial and
district levels as well as producer groups and farmer associations that could be affected during the
implementation of NHLP-related activities, aiming to strengthen the capacity of targeted stakeholders in
environmental assessment control, monitoring and surveillance of NHLP, so that they can play their
respective roles more effectively. This will entail to organize thematic training sessions that will enable
national, regional and community structures to get acquainted of the SEA provisions for environmental
selection process and the implementation.
Strengthening of Technical Equipment and Infrastructures: The SEA implementation, the monitoring
and control of mitigation measures, the implementation of the Environmental Management Framework
and other related environmental monitoring activities will have to be supported by a program of
strengthening of technical equipment and infrastructure, through the acquisition: (i) mobile equipment for
the water quality control; (ii) control equipment for emissions (gases, fumes and dust, etc.); (iii)
individual equipment (gears) for protection against the pesticides effects; (iv) mini-stations for control
and monitoring of meteorological parameters (wind direction, temperature, humidity, etc.); (v)
biomedical waste storage containers.
Implementation of Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF): The development of
ESMF (which will be prepared to set out the environmental assessment procedures required by the
NHLP and its project objectives to assess the environmental consequences of NHLP interventions, with a
view to preventing execution of interventions with significant negative environmental and social impacts.
It also attempts at minimizing potential negative impacts by incorporating mitigations at the design stage
and implementing mitigations at the implementation stage of the interventions) for mitigation of the
identified impacts of NHLP aims to strengthen policies, plans and programs in MAIL, to ensure that the
decisions to transform a woodland space into cultivated land, use of pesticides to protect crops, create
pastoral infrastructures for the development of livestock farming, and to install hydro-agricultural
infrastructure are acceptable both to the biophysical and human environments.
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Selection and Alignment of NHLP to Environmental Programs in Agriculture: The methodology for
the preparation, approval and execution of development programs in the agricultural sector is based on an
environmental selection procedure for which the main steps are described below. These steps must be
followed by the NHLP in accordance with the guide for technical and administrative procedures for EIA
in force in Afghanistan.
The results of the selection process will determine the environmental and social measures pursuant to the
SEA approach, and to highlight the major issues regarding: (i) the identification of agricultural programs
that are likely to have negative impacts at the environmental and social levels; (ii) the identification of the
appropriate mitigation measures for activities having adverse impacts; and (iii) the identification of
programs requiring EIA.
Phase 1: Compliance to Environmental Programs in Agriculture: The first phase of the process is to
implement programs compliance with the SEA procedures, the EIA or the EIN (Environmental Impact
Note). It addresses the identification, classification and subjection of the NHLP in order to assess its
potential effects on the environment and to comply with the provisions of SEA and EIA legislation.
- Step 1: Environmental Analysis of NHLP subprojects: This analysis needs to be done early after the
identification of the candidate district in the specific agro-ecosystem for the NHLP subproject, using a
selection form (in annex 1) which will be completed by the environment focal points/international
consultant. The results of this selection will indicate globally: (i) potential environmental and social
impacts; (ii) nuisance mitigation needs; (iii) the need for land acquisition; and (iv) the type of public
consultation that will be carried out during the selection exercise (screening exercise form in annex 1).
- Step 2: Environmental Categorization of NHLP and Subprojects: The services responsible for
environmental management and sustainable development (NEPA) will carry out the final review for the
validation of the results of the selection. However, it is to be noted that environmental legislation in
Afghanistan (2007 Environmental Law and 2007 Policy relating to the Environmental Impact
Assessment) has established an environmental categorization of programs, projects and sub-projects in
two categories:
1. The NHLP subprojects of Category 1 if it is likely to have significant adverse environmental
impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented, and affects an area broader than the sites or
facilities subject to physical works; they shall be subjected to detailed EIA procedures.
2. The NHLP subprojects of Category 2 if its potential adverse environmental impacts on human
populations or environmentally sensitive areas (e.g. wetlands, forests, grasslands, etc.) are less
adverse than those of Category 1 subprojects. These impacts are site specific, and are irreversible
and require only a development of Environmental Impact Note (simplified mitigation measures).
Phase 2: Development and Validation of Terms of Reference (TOR or requirements guide): The
Environmental selection form (prepared as described in step 1 of phase 1), validated by different
stakeholders, will serve as a basis for the preparation of Terms of Reference (TORs), to be submitted by
the MAIL’s technical service (NHLP) to the Division of Environmental Management and Sustainable
Development of NEPA early during the subproject preparation for framing and validation. It is a
technical document that explains in detail key points of the subproject, the adopted method for
environmental evaluation, and the salient points related to the issues and subproject’s associated impacts.
Phase 3: Development, Review and Approval of the Report (EIA or EIN): The environmental impact
assessment (EIA) report for subprojects in category 1 or environmental impact note (EIN) for
subprojects in category 2, developed early during the subproject preparation by the consultants (see TOR
17
in annex 5) committed by MAIL/NHLP, will be reviewed and validated by the NEPA’s Division of
Environmental Management & Sustainable Development to ensure that all adverse environmental and
social impacts have been identified, analyzed, and that effective and appropriate mitigation measures
have been proposed.
Phase 4: Public Consultations and of key Stakeholders or Actors
- Step 1: Public Surveys and Stakeholders’ Consultations: The provisions of the EIA Ordinance
stipulate that the information and the participation of the public must be ensured during the execution of
the Environmental Impact Assessment, in collaboration with the competent bodies of the administrative
province and the concerned district. The public information will involve specifically one or more
meetings for subproject presentation, bringing together local authorities, local people, line organizations,
and the civil society. These consultations will help identify the main problems, issues and suggestions, as
well as determine the terms of consideration of various concerns raised by the involved/affected groups.
- Step 2: Dissemination of Information to Stakeholders: To meet the requirements of the
dissemination of environmental information, the Division of Environmental Management and Sustainable
Development of NEPA, in cooperation with MAIL/NHLP, must develop a briefing note and a non-
technical summary on key issues of concern related to the NHLP, making the point on the issues of (i) the
elements submitted for public consultation at the local level; (ii) the synthesis of the concerns raised by
communities, groups and, eventually, persons likely to be affected/concerned by NHLP; (iii) the items
published on the website of the donor (World Bank); (iv) the feasibility permit issued by the NEPA
(including conditionality, reserves and the preconditions raised for its effective implementation, etc.).
Phase 5: Environmental Surveillance, Monitoring and Audit: The execution of the SEA during NHLP
implementation requires constant environmental surveillance and monitoring (activities that follow-up
whether the recommended environmental tools (ESMF, EIA, ESMP, recommendations for SEA) for
environmental management are qualitatively carried out according to the plan) are routine activities
during project implementation to ascertain that human activities do not carry risks of harmful effects on
the biophysical and human environments. Environmental audits (the evaluations intended to identify gaps
in environmental compliance and management system implementation, along with related corrective
actions, including monitoring and reporting) of the project or subprojects are to see whether the
corrective and remedy actions recommended are working during project and/or subprojects’
implemention. Indeed, environmental monitoring should reorient the work and eventually improve the
implementation of executed NHLP sub-projects with respect to their environmental and social
acceptability, while auditing is done on yearly or during a different time horizon basis.
Phase 6: Compliance of NHLP with Environmental Feasibility Permit: The Execution and
implementation of activities such as construction or civil engineering (if any) in connection with the
NHLP subprojects (if identified as mandatory for the subproject) cannot and must only occur after
reasoned opinion of the Director General of the EPA (through evaluation of EIA or EIN prepared by
consultants) on the environmental feasibility of such activities that will be subject to analyses and
validations in different phases as described in phase 1 and step 1.
Measures of Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance: The implementation of SEA in NHLP
requires environmental surveillance and monitoring subproject activities aimed at ensuring compliance
to: (i) the proposed measures defined in the ESMF, including the mitigation measures recommended; (ii)
the conditions laid down in legislative texts, the application ordinances, regulatory provisions, the
relevant texts relating to the preservation of the environment during NHLP implementation. The
Environmental monitoring will therefore check the accuracy of the assessment of some impacts and the
18
effectiveness of certain mitigation measures provided in the ESMF and applicable at the phases of design,
execution and closure of NHLP subprojects.
Monitoring of SEA Implementation Indicators: The implementation of SEA in the NHLP requires the
monitoring of defined indicators in order to ensure the effectiveness of the process and its appropriation
by the actors responsible for its implementation. Indeed, these indicators will be built as monitoring
parameters which use will provide either quantitative or qualitative information on the achievement of
results, the effectiveness of the procedure, the assessment of impacts, the relevance of mitigation
measures, the environmental and social benefits, and NHLP sustainability.
Monitoring indicators are essential elements for the analysis of effectiveness and efficiency of SEA and
contain three levels of application, namely:
(i) the strategic level indicators (effective implementation and functionality of the Steering
Committee and MAIL departments, actual designation of the Environment Focal Points,
effectiveness of the application of the environmental screening of NHLP subprojects, etc.),
intended to verify the implementation and adoption of SEA at the highest decision-making level
of the MAIL;
(ii) the technical level indicators (number and types of equipment acquired for the control of
environmental parameters, types of accommodation made for the protection of the environment
during the execution phases, number of officers trained for handling of installed equipment, etc.),
intended to ensure the effective implementation of SEA tools, environmental governance, and
technical incentive measures for the SEA implementation; and
(iii) the environmental indicators (biophysical environment (air, water, soil, fauna, flora, habitats,
protected areas, sensitive areas), human environment (health, hygiene, security, socio-cultural
heritage, socio-economic aspects, living environment, etc.)) intended to verify the effectiveness
of environmental preservation measures implemented, the application of the legislation and the
effective implementation of the ESMF.
SEA Financing and Implementation: The costs of implementation of the current SEA during NHLP
implementation, estimated to about USD 2,000,000, were evaluated on a tentative period of five years
(see main text for details), from costs related to such accompanying measures described in the previous
sections and should be supported by MAIL/NHLP. SEA implementation costs were estimated on the
basis of experiences from some countries with similar agro-ecology especially in Mauritania, Tunisia and
Mali. The costs related to environmental preservation and the ESMF implementation measures will have
to be inserted in the NHLP operations budgets.
Final Recommendations: The realization of SEA undertaken under the NHLP corresponds not only to
the expectations of the technical and financial partners, but also constitutes a strategic axis which is
expected to ensure effective consideration of the environment into the NHLP subprojects and to
strengthen the legal instruments and good environmental governance in force in the country, to guide
their implementation in different agro-ecological landscapes. We strongly recommend a better
involvement and ownership of stakeholders, to make this SEA a real tool of environmental planning for
sound development and implementation of NHLP activities in candidate districts.
19
6. Summary of the Main Elements of SEA Report
Below is the summary of the main priority actions necessary to the implementation of the SEA.
Box 1: Summary of the main Elements of the SEA Report
Summary of the main priority actions necessary to the implementation of the SEA
At the Government/NEPA level:
Express, at the highest level of the National Environmental
Protection Agency, the political will to institutionalize the
SEA as good environmental governance tools in policies,
plans and programs.
Reread the Environment Law and to insert a general
ordinance on the SEA, applicable across sectoral programs.
Reread some provisions of the EIAs ordinance and put in
place a device to monitor its effective implementation on the
ground.
Strengthen the capacity of technical environmental expertise
services: EIA and SEA procedures and practices
Strengthen the strict application of the legal provisions
relating to the EIA.
Apply the provisions of the Ordinance on EIAs in what
concerns the exclusive issuance of feasibility authorization
by the National Environmental Protection Agency.
Put in place the institutional arrangements required for the
monitoring and implementation of SEA: Coordination
Committee, sectoral environmental cell, Environmental
Focal Points.
At the level of MAIL:
Designate a leader among TFP for SEA monitoring, search
for funding, implementation and ownership.
Put in place:
- a Steering Committee (SC) for the monitoring of the
SEA process.
- environment cells at the level of sector ministries to
operationalize SEA.
Develop a training program and capacity-building for the
Steering Committee, the Environment Cell and all of the
key stakeholders involved in the SEA monitoring and
implementation.
Put in place a sectoral database for the SEA monitoring and
the development of national standards.
Mobilize financial resources for the SEA implementation
(national budget, TFP, bi- and multilateral cooperation,
etc.).
At the level of NHLP:
Strengthen the consultation and exchange framework for
the monitoring of the SEA implementation in the targeted
subproject areas and improving administrative procedures
for processing of documents.
Involve community groups and local communities in the
implementation of SEA (training, information, awareness-
raising, technical support, etc.).
20
PART 1: SEA FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH
1.1. General Introduction
Perennial crops have played an important role in the rural communities of Afghanistan since time
immemorial; evidence of this is the large number of specialty crops consumed worldwide, whose origin
can be traced to this region. More recently, anecdotal evidence suggests the existence of formal trade in
dried fruit and nuts from Afghanistan since as far back as the 1940s. These included apricots, figs, raisins
and almonds, among others, to the regional and international markets, especially to the New Delhi Dried
Fruit Market, where even in the midst of the Taliban regime Afghan raisins and apricots were still
holding a 15 percent market share1.
The deterioration of the political and security situation throughout the country in the 1980s and 1990s led
to the disruption of local markets, especially due to the destruction of market infrastructure and increased
risks for traders. These factors, among several others, encouraged the partial abandonment of perennial
crops, and in many cases, their substitution with poppy production; which benefited from the lack of rule
of law (Juan M. Estrada, 2005).
Given the revived interest of the Government of Afghanistan in reducing production of illicit crops
throughout the country, there is need to identify and support the development of high value horticultural
crops with the potential to promote the sustained growth of the rural economies, while- in conjunction
with deterrent measures- discouraging poppy production.
Afghanistan is a traditional livestock country and was in the past self-sufficient in livestock products.
Livestock – largely sheep and goats – have traditionally been an integral part of most farming systems in
Afghanistan, and range pasture, covering some 45% of the land area, has traditionally supported a large
livestock population. In the 1970s the country was self-sufficient in meat and milk and had significant
exports of animal fiber and high-value processed products (carpets and skin garments).
However, war and drought have seriously impaired the livestock economy. Pastoral livestock numbers
fell by 50% in the late 1990s, due to the war (which disrupted trekking routes) and to the severe nation-
wide drought. Particularly affected have been the poorest (including the nomadic Kuchi people), for
whom livestock are the principal resource. This drop in herd numbers in turn curtailed the availability of
sheep for fattening, the mainstay of meat supplies to urban centers. With the reduction in hostilities and
return of favorable rains, livestock numbers have begun to recover. However, poor nutrition and disease
contribute to low fertility and productivity of livestock, and pasture areas are being reduced and
degraded. The country now has rapidly growing imports of frozen chicken, eggs and dairy products2.
1.1.1. National Context: Linkage between Poverty and Environmental Degradation
Afghanistan is a landlocked rich country with vast natural resources, striking landscapes of mountains,
plateaus, plains, deserts, open woodlands and forests with a wide variety of fauna and flora and
ecosystems of particular importance. However, the country is marked by a dual phenomenon: a high
poverty rate and pressure on natural resources. Once Afghanistan achieves conditions of basic personal
and political security, true development will require, among other things, maintaining and enhancing the
quality of the environment that Afghans depend upon for their livelihoods.
1 Alternative Livelihoods Project /East - Perennial Horticulture in Eastern Afghanistan: Subsector Overview and Implementation Strategy (2005)
2 Afghanistan Economic Incentives and Development initiatives to Reduce Opium Production (2008)
21
On the one hand, the 2007 National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment survey indicates 42 per cent of
the total Afghan population lives below the poverty line, while about 53 per cent of the population lives
in poverty. The rural area, which constitutes the majority in Afghanistan, is particularly affected by this
scourge and comprises more than one quarter of the poor of the country (incidence of poverty from 36%
in rural areas, compared with 21% in urban areas). Poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon, cutting
both monetary poverty (low income, with $14 on average a month), and a living conditions poverty
(access to the basic services such as drinking water, health and education) and a poverty of potentials
(heritage, environment, etc.). The Afghan economy being mainly turned towards the primary sectors
(mining, fishing, agriculture and livestock farming) the population remains heavily dependent on these
natural resources for its well-being.
On the other hand, it can be seen a significant degradation of natural resources because Afghanistan most
face a number of environmental issues of natural or anthropogenic origin: looming progress in
desertification, loss in biodiversity, severe land degradation and soil erosion, water resources depletion,
environmental pollution, etc. The rural development sector (agriculture and livestock farming), to which
the NHLP belongs, is an integral part of the priority areas targeted by the Afghan authorities in their
policy development and economic growth.
Indeed, the agricultural sector (including horticulture and livestock) development, which occupies more
than half of the Afghan population, causes significant degradation of the environment. First, agriculture is
an important sector for the national economy, contributing for more than 31% to GDP. However, in this
sector, the intensification of irrigation and overexploitation of water (in a national context of very low
rainfall), deforestation, the use of fertilizers and phytosanitary products and bad facilities and
infrastructure cause productivity losses due to degradation and contamination of soils.
The livestock sector is one of the main economic pillars of the country, with a participation in the GDP of
the about 14% a year (16-18% in the pre-war). In addition, the Afghanistan’s livestock is in constant
growth (average annual growth rate of about 3%). This source of income and employment is however
seriously threatened by environmental impacts: overgrazing, climate change, drought and settling, which
cause significant degradation of soils and paths of transhumance (strengthening thus the desertification,
soil erosion and pressure on water resources and fodder availability).
The environment plays an important role in the quality of living conditions, particularly in health. Food
security is also challenged by the deterioration of the food resources that the poor are more dependent.
For these reasons, the Government of Afghanistan is committed in the joint project between poverty and
environment (GAIN)3 launched by UNDP in 2005 and jointly implemented with other UN agencies, to
integrate the environmental dimension in economic and social policies, and in the strategic framework to
combat in particular against poverty (PRSP)4 and general development policies.
1.1.2. Scope of the Study
The NHLP is imbedded into the Agriculture Production and Productivity Program (APP), which responds
to the Afghanistan’s Agriculture Policy through the restoration and expansion of Afghanistan’s licit
economy through the promotion of livelihoods free from dependency on poppy cultivation as one leg of
the country’s global Agriculture Policy Framework (box 2).
3 Greening Afghanistan Initiative
4 Afghanistan National Development Strategy
22
The proposed NHLP that includes horticulture and livestock will facilitate and support the process of
getting more and more farmers from subsistence farming into semi-specialized and/or semi-intensive
market-based production systems while maintaining diversification for risk reduction and food security.
This will be accompanied by a strong effort to introduce value adding processes and to identify and
develop markets aiming at both import substitution and export. Horticulture5 and Livestock (including
poultry husbandry)6 will constitute the sub-sectors of the program.
The Greening Afghanistan Initiative (GAIN) project which aims to strengthen national capacities and to
establish institutional mechanisms for the integration of the linkages between poverty and the
environment in the decision-making process also helps bridge the gaps by providing mitigation measures
to adverse effects of both human and animal (overgrazing) activities on the environment. The vision of
such a program is logically within the perspective of sustainable development (integration of social,
environmental and economic aspects), that wishes to promote the adoption of policies and strategies
promoting sustainable management of the environment.
Box 2: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s Defined Agriculture sector policy framework Comprehensive and strategically cohesive poverty
reduction programs
Public/Private sector responsibilities
Assurance of food security
The restoration and expansion of Afghanistan’s licit
economy through the promotion of livelihoods free
from dependency on poppy cultivation
Land tenure security
Assistance to farmers to increase production and
productivity
Environmental protection and assistance to
communities to manage and protect Afghanistan’s
natural resource base for sustainable growth
Improvements in agricultural and rural physical
infrastructure and irrigation systems providing services
to meet basic human rights
Development of human resource capital.
The strengthening of local governance
Institutional coordination
Cross sector policy development
Strengthening of national capacities
Mitigation of natural and man-made disasters
1.1.3. SEA Justification and Objectives
The MAIL officials, who have long realized the importance of the preservation of the environment in
agricultural development, have committed technical actions7 in terms of protection of environment and
sustainable agriculture development and production. However, with the complexity of environmental
phenomena and the number of players involved in this issue, a global vision that would make more
targeted and relevant actions is lacking. The SEA in this regard represents an invaluable tool to improve
political decision-making processes by integrating environmental considerations in the formulation of the
National Horticulture and Livestock Project for sustainable production and productivity.
The objective of the present SEA study is to identify, assess and describe the impacts on the environment
of the NHLP and those that may result from the implementation of all of the PPP followed by the line
departments of the MAIL. Specifically, The objectives of this Strategic Environmental Assessment are to:
(i) integrate the goals of environmental management and sustainability as well as avoiding potential risks
5 Horticulture sub-sector will support horticulture development and supply farmers with saplings, provide equipment for trellises and establish
pest control systems leading to a 20 percent increase in perennial crop production and significant exports through public private sector partnerships.
6 Livestock sub-sector will support livestock production by importing purebred sheep, establishing commercial dairy plants and poultry units for
women farmers, increasing productivity and output.
7 Adoption of Integrated Pest Management by PPQD as a national policy for sustainable agricultural production, that protects the environment
and human health and health against excessive use of pesticides and other agrochemicals.
23
at the earliest stages of the project planning and designing; (ii) ensure that the government decisions,
policies, plans and programs in horticulture and livestock which could have direct and indirect effects in
the country’s natural resources and human and community health are subject to proper environmental
assessment; and (iii) ensure that the NHLP objectives and alternative means to them are identified and
measures for avoidance, mitigation and compensation of any adverse environmental consequences are
adopted. Finally, this SEA aims to strengthen the capacity and the environmental governance within
MAIL, including through enhanced social responsibility and ensuring the continuity of the process after
the phasing out of the NHLP.
1.2. Methodology
1.2.1. General Concept on SEAs
Definitions and characteristics of SEA
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is considered as "analytical and participatory approaches for
strategic decision-making that aim to integrate environmental considerations into policies, plans and
programs and to evaluate their interactions with economic and social considerations8". It is a process of
assessment and taking into account environmental issues at the highest level of the decision-making
process of the Government apparatus. However, the approach encompasses a wide array of tools and
approaches that can be applied to the specific needs of NHLP.
SEA has a strong international anchor and is an integral part of development aid and cooperation policies,
and is part of the practical tools recommended by the OECD (2006) and endorsed by the primary major
donors and financial institutions (UNEP/UNDP, GIZ, WB, ADB, IDB, EU, USAID, etc.). In addition, the
World Summit on sustainable development in Johannesburg in 2002 stressed "the importance of strategic
frameworks and balanced decision-making, essential conditions for obtaining progress towards
development goals".
So, SEA represents an important step in the planning and decision process, and is characterized by levels
of hierarchy: policies, plans, programs and projects. Policies determine in a logical manner the plans,
plans guide the programs and projects are developed from the programs. In more detail, the prioritization
analysis between policy, plan and program is defined through coordinated linkages at the level of the
planning apparatus as follows:
Policy: It is the general conduct or the overall direction that a Government adopts and guide
decision-making downstream. It is essentially an act of policy orientation.
Plan: It is a general or director plan, or a set of coordinated and organized goals over time,
often with priorities, options and measures, which aims to implement a policy in a sector or
region in particular.
Program: It is a set of actions that allow for the implementation of a plan or a policy. The
program is a structured schedule and coherent commitments, instruments or activities involving
smaller intervention areas (measures of financial intervention, government activities,
communal or municipal activities, etc.).
The diagram below gives the hierarchy between policy, plan and program that should be used during
NHLP implementation.
8 L’Évaluation Environnementale Stratégique. Guide de bonnes pratiques dans le domaine de la coopération pour le développement. OECD,
2006. p.17
24
Figure 1: Hierarchy between Policy, Plan and Program
MAIL PROJECTS
PPPs may be: (i) a global agriculture policy to which horticulture as part of NHLP belongs (assistance to
farmers to increase production and productivity by providing improved inputs such as agrochemicals and
fertilizers and its implications on the environment); (ii) a plan of commercial agriculture for economic
growth and poverty reduction may have adverse impacts (if the government does not enforce the
requirements of countries receiving the fruits from Afghanistan in terms of how much the exported fruits
are free of pesticides residues, the reputation of the country’s fruits will further suffer the rejection from
the recipient countries); (iii) in the sector if more subsidy is available for communities to improve
livestock (sheep and goats) raring, the subsequent increase of the livestock numbers will lead to adverse
impacts on the environment through overgrazing in the rangelands.
Thus, the nature of decision-making varies according to the decision-making hierarchy, and the nature of
the environmental assessment required. Policies, plans and programs (PPP) occurring at a more strategic
level because they determine the general direction to follow to achieve the great objectives, the SEA also
takes an important role and is thus upstream of the decision-making process. On the contrary, the
environmental impact studies (EIA) apply to projects that achieve PPPs objectives.
Figure 2: Place of SEA and EIA in the Hierarchy of Policies, Plans and Programs
The table 1 below shows the main characteristics and differences between the two types of environmental
studies.
Agriculture Sector Policies
policy)
Plans (Commercial Ag)
Programs (Subsidies)
Basis of Reference: - NADF - NEAP - ANDS - Environmental
Governance
Targeted Sectors:
- Agriculture: NHLP (Horticulture, Animal Husbandry)
- Water Sector - Health Sector
Policies Plan Program Project
Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental
Impact Assessment
25
Table 1: Comparative table for SEA/EIA
SEA EIA
Applies to policies, plans and programs in a broad and
long-term strategic perspective.
Applies to specific projects and in the relatively short
term (life cycle) and their specifications.
Comes in principle at an early stage of strategic
planning.
Occurs during early planning of the project after the
settings have been established.
Covers a wide range of alternative scenarios. Covers a limited range of alternative solutions
Conduct independently from any project proponent. Generally prepared and/or funded by the project
proponent.
Based on the decision on the implications of policies,
plans and programs for future decisions at a lower level.
Based on project approval, and only rarely exercising
feedback on policies, plans or programs.
Iterative process in several steps with feedback loops.
Well defined linear process with a beginning and a
clearly established end (extending for example on the
realization of the feasibility study at the project
approval).
Is not necessarily formally supported by documents.
Necessarily gives rise to the preparation of an EIA
document including the presentation and the content
which are prescribed in advance. This document serves
as a reference tool.
Focuses on balanced environmental, social and
economic goals in policies, plans and programs. Gives
rise to the identification of development results at the
macroeconomic level.
Focuses on the mitigation of the environmental and
social effects of a specific project, but with
identification of a few options at the project level, of
compensatory devices, etc.
By its nature, takes into consideration the cumulative
impacts.
Implies a limited review of the cumulative impacts,
often limiting to different phases of the project. Covers
neither the facilities of regional scope, nor multiple
projects.
Source : OECD, 2006
1.2.2. Organization of the SEA study for the National Horticulture and Livestock Project
The implementation of the current SEA will require significant efforts to continuously strengthen the
capacity of NHLP to analyze and take into account environmental issues. However, the accuracy of the
steps in the application of the current SEA will be dependent upon the ownership that the MAIL Minister,
as the policies decision-making authority of MAIL, will have in implementing the recommendations
contained in the present SEA. In this study, all Policies, Plans and Programs (PPP) pertaining to
environmental sustainability in NHLP will be considered. Therefore, the main phases of this study will be
adequately formulated.
The Objectives of the NHLP’s Strategic Environmental Assessment are to: (i) integrate the goals of
environmental management and sustainability as well as avoiding potential risks at the earliest stages of
the project planning and designing; (ii) ensure that the government decisions, policies, plans and
programs in horticulture and livestock which could have significant direct and indirect effects on the
country’s natural resources and human and community health are subjected to proper environmental
assessment; and (iii) ensure that the program objectives and alternative means of achieving them are
identified and measures for avoidance, mitigation and compensation of any potential adverse
environmental consequences are adopted.
26
1.2.3. Plan and Structuring of the SEA Report
This SEA study looks at the horticulture and livestock program in Afghanistan. Therefore, it aims to
analyze all the policies, plans and programs developed by the MAIL for these areas and to determine their
potential impacts on the environment and natural resources. On the other hand, more generally, it aims to
draw the portrait of the country's environmental management system. As such, the analysis was focus on
different thrusts, for each of the cited sections:
Analysis of the initial state of human and biophysical environments.
As a first step, this section of the study provides a description of the initial environment of the sector,
through the key features that characterize socio-economic as well as biophysical environments.
Review of development strategies and of poverty-environment relationships. This allowed having an overview of the general framework of the Afghanistan policy development,
framework in which has come to form agricultural development strategy on which the SEA study looks
upon.
Review of the legal instruments and the institutional framework for SEA mainstreaming
It was more specifically to assess the systems set up by the authorities to identify and manage the
interactions between the environment and the main objectives and policies issues of the agricultural
sector. This picture involved assessing capabilities and institutional needs for mainstreaming SEA in the
NHLP development.
Identification and analysis of the major issues related to Horticulture and Livestock Through the previous two points, we were able to assess the major potential impacts of PPPs in the
agriculture and livestock subsectors, both on biophysical and socio-economic environments.
Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) The environmental and social management framework aims to establish a process of consultation and
selection that allows NHLP for the implementation of SEA, in the agricultural sector in Afghanistan, to
identify, assess and mitigate the potentials environmental and social impacts related to subprojects which
will be developed in the targeted areas, from the planning stages. The ESMF also determines the
institutional arrangements to be considered during the NHLP implementation, including those in relation
to capacity building.
1.2.4. SEA Norms and Standards
This SEA report is developed in accordance with the required standards which make reference to the
national legislation of Afghanistan, to the OECD proceedings, to the World Bank safeguards policies, to
the international conventions on the environment ratified or signed by Government of Afghanistan.
Throughout the process both stakeholder and public consultations were preferred, technical services of
technology and financial partners (TFP), in order to promote a quality civic participation and a better
consideration of concerned populations and stakeholders’ opinion.
1.2.5. Constraints and Limits of the Study
The mission has faced some difficulties due to the absence of comprehensive, relevant and consistent data
and the absence of a national system of environmental indicators. The data are often scattered in several
structures and are sometimes difficult to access. In addition, the unavailability of some key players has
been a handicap to meet all the groups that were identified at the outset.
27
PART 2: ANALYSIS OF THE INITIAL STATE OF AFGHANISTAN’S
BIOPHYSICAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENTS
2.1. Global Presentation of the Biophysical Environment
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked country, situated in both the northern and eastern
hemispheres, with a surface area of 653,000 sq. km. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan lies between
29°35’ and 38°40’ northern latitude and between 60°31’ and 75°00’ eastern longitude on the
mountainous and desert areas where the Iranian Plateau borders with the mountainous systems of Central
Asia. It's positioned in the Middle East, a recognized geographical region of southwestern Asia.
Afghanistan is bounded on the north by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, on the northeast by
China, on the south and east by Pakistan and on the west by Iran.
Although elevation and aridity frequently combine to make dramatic landscapes, in a country that is
almost entirely agrarian these same conditions make subsistence a constant challenge, and the livelihood
of most people in Afghanistan is acutely vulnerable to climatic variation. The routine hardships faced by
many rural Afghans have helped shape the attributes of resilience and independence for which the
country is famous.
Extracting a living from the mountainous dry lands of Afghanistan has never been easy, but decades of
armed conflict, and four years of extreme drought, have created widespread human suffering and
environmental devastation across the country. Warfare, lawlessness and food insecurity have made
refugees of some four million Afghans – the equivalent to a quarter of the total country population at the
time of the Soviet occupation in 1979. Infrastructure has been destroyed and many institutions and
administrative systems have collapsed.
The population of Afghanistan as of 2011 fluctuated at around 34.3 million (World Bank, 2012), which
does not include the roughly 2 million Afghan refugees still living in Pakistan and Iran, with a population
growth rate of 2.6 percent (2010 estimate). The percentage of population in the rural areas is estimated at
80% while that in the urban area is 20%.
2.1.1. Major Climatic Characteristics
The climate is continental in nature, with cold winters and hot summers. Most of the country is semi-arid
or arid steppe, with low amounts of precipitation and high or very high variability between years.
Snowfall is concentrated in the central mountains and the higher ranges of the northeast bordering
Pakistan. Winter temperatures are extremely low in both these areas, 15ºC below- for many weeks during
winter. Most of Afghanistan is influenced by weather fronts from the Mediterranean, with low and erratic
rainfall, typically in spring.
The highest temperatures and the lowest precipitation prevail in the drought-ridden, poorly watered
southern plateau region, which extends over the boundaries with Iran and Pakistan. The east of the
country lies near the margin of the monsoon system affecting the Indian subcontinent. Here, parts of the
eastern provinces, including Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, and Nangarhar, have up to 1,200 mm of rainfall
in summer (roughly five times the national average).
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MAP 1: AFGHANISTAN’s AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES, WITH PREDOMINANT LAND USE
The Central Mountains, with higher peaks ascending toward the Pamir Knot, represent another distinct
climatic region. In the mountains the annual mean precipitation, much of which is snowfall, increases
eastward and is highest in the Koh-e Baba Range, the western part of the Pamir Knot, and the Eastern
Hindukush. Precipitation in these regions and the eastern monsoon area is about forty centimeters per
year. The Wakhan Corridor, however, which has temperatures ranging from 9 oC in the summer to -21
oC
below in the winter, receives fewer than ten centimeters of rainfall annually. Permanent snow covers the
highest mountain peaks. In the mountainous region adjacent to northern Pakistan, the snow is often more
than two meters deep during the winter months. Valleys often become snow traps as the high winds
sweep much of the snow from mountain peaks and ridges.
2.1.2. Features of the main physical environments
Topography
Most of the Afghanistan’s total land area or about three-fourths (about 63 per cent) are mountainous, and
where slopes and elevation lead to more than a quarter (27 per cent) of the land lying above 2,500 m. The
huge mountain system of the Hindukush with its highest peak NawShakh (7,485 m) stretches from the
northeast to the southwest, where it borders with the Kohi Baba, Feroz Koh, Terbandi Turkistan and
some smaller mountain ranges, surrounded by a belt of deserts. In the northeastern outskirts Hindukush
borders with the plateau of Pamir, and the range of Karakorum. This corridor extends as a narrow strip of
land to a short border with China, separating Tajikistan from Pakistan. Deserts cover the southern and
western parts of the country.
Rivers, lakes and wetlands
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The sources of most of Afghanistan’s rivers lie in the mountains. The highest level of waters in the rivers,
oscillates greatly, is in spring and early summer; in the remaining season the rivers may change into small
streams or entirely disappear. Five principal drainage regions can be distinguished, with the Koh-e-Baba
mountain range in the geographic center of the country as the primary watershed. With one exception of
the Kabul river system, all drainage systems in Afghanistan end in closed internal basins.
The major river is the Amu Darya, which rises in the Pamirs, forms much of the northern border of the
country, and traverses a large area of central Asia, drying up before it reaches the Aral Sea. The Murghab
and the Hari-Rud both drain the northwest region of the Hindu Kush, flowing west then north to
terminate in southern Turkmenistan, where they contribute to groundwater resources. The Helmand,
which collects rain and snow-melt from the southern slopes of the Hindu Kush, is the longest river
entirely within Afghanistan, its catchment extending over some 31 per cent of the country. Helmand
waters flow through the arid southwest plains to enter the marshlands and lakes of the Sistan basin, which
is shared with Iran. The Kabul River system, which drains around 9 per cent of the country around the
capital, traverses the Jalalabad Gorge to join the Indus River in Pakistan.
With the exception of the Amu Darya, which receives inputs from countries to the north, most rivers in
Afghanistan – and almost the entire supply of the country’s water for irrigation, drinking, and
maintenance of wetland ecosystems – are derived from rainfall within the country’s own borders and the
seasonal melting of snow and permanent ice-fields in the mountains. The persistence of snow and ice are
closely related to prevailing temperature, so this source of water is likely to be at risk from continuing
global warming.
There are very few lakes and marshland areas. Because of their rarity, existing wetlands are particularly
valuable for people as sources of water and other resources such as reeds, and as habitat for wetland
species, notably for breeding and migrant waterbirds. The largest permanent lakes are those at Band-e-
Amir in the central highlands, and at high altitudes in the Wakhan Corridor. Other lakes are more variable
in extent. By far the largest lies within the Sistan basin where lakes and flooded marshlands cover about
4,000 km2 of surface area during times of good water supply. As almost half of the Sistan wetlands lie in
Iran, transboundary management of this resource is required. Other important wetland areas include
Dasht-e-Nawar, Ab-e-Estada and Kole Hashmat Khan.
2.1.3. Characteristics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity Richness
Climatic conditions governing socio-economic behavior of living human beings are not only expressed in
terms of climate averages or discrepancies between physical factors, but also take into account the soil’s
biological and environmental conditions. It is mainly the connection of climatic and biological conditions
called commonly bioclimatics, which determine the mode of development of a population.
The interaction between the bioclimatic specificities and particularly rural development modes such as, in
the case of Afghanistan, agriculture and grazing leads to a qualified agro-ecological zoning (fig.1 above).
On this basis, Afghanistan has different agro-ecological and bioclimatic zones of unequal importance.
Area of Ecological Significance
Although protected areas such as parks, ecological reserves and sites of cultural historic significance have
been given little attention over the past few decades, it must be noted that Afghanistan has some world-
class candidate sites in all of these categories. The sites, in fact when peace returns, may once again
generate international interest and tourism revenue on behalf of Afghanistan.
There is one official National Park, the Band-e-Amir, and Ab-i-Estada and Dasht-e-Nawar waterfowl
sanctuaries have been gazetted in response to petitions submitted to the Head of State in the 1970s.
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Afghanistan ratified the World Heritage Convention on March 20, 1979. However, with the onset of war
in 1979 it has been impossible for the Government to undertake further actions in the field of
conservation and expansion of protected areas. The Government of Afghanistan has had the intention to
establish the following six National Parks once peace returns to the country.
Ab-I-Estada and Dasht-e Nawar Waterfowl Sanctuary
Located in the Hindu Kush Highands in Ghazni Province, South-East Afghanistan, Ab-I-Estada together
with Dasht-e-Nawar to the North are a staging ground for migratory waterfowl and waders of the Siberian
Kazakstan/Pakistan-India population, in particular the rare Siberian crane Grus leucogeranus. It is also an
essential breeding ground for the greater flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus. The international importance
of the two sites was recognized in the 1971 international Conference on Wetlands and Waterfowl, which
adopted the Ramsar Convention. Ab-I-Estada is also an important archeological site exhibiting strategic
sequences.
The Ajar Valley Wildlife Reserve
In the Hindu kush Highlands northwest of Bamiyan, the area was used as a hunting reserve by royalty
since the turn of the century and protected as such since early 1950s. Proposed as a national park in 1978
the area contained ibex (Carpra ibex), Bactrian deer (Cervus elephus bactrianus), feral yak (Bos
grunniens), snow leopard (Panthera unica), leopard (P. paradus), lynx (Lynx lynx), wolf (Canis lupus),
jakal (Canis aureus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), otter (Lutra luttra), marten (Martes foina), and long tailed
mormot (Marmota canata). The avifauna is the most diverse recorded in the Hindu kush with 60 species
identified.
Pamir-Buzurg Wildlife Sanctuary
In the western Wakhan Corridor on the border with Tijikistan and Badakhshan Province, the Afghan
Pamir is among the most spectacular landscapes of central Asia providing habitat for the famous Marco
Polo sheep along with seventeen other mammal species including ibex. Carnivores include wolf, red fox,
brown bear, ermine, lynx, and snow leopard. The Afghan Pamir is one of history’s greatest crossroads
and migration routes for travelers. It contains valuable archeological sites including petrography probably
dating to pre-islamic times in the Wakhan Valley.
Band-e-Amir National Park
In the Hazarajat Mountains of the western Hindu Kush, Bamiyan Province, the six lapis lazuli lakes of
Band-e-Amir National Park are nested between 300 m high magenta rock walls in the Band-e-Amir
valley. Their deep blue color is a result of the waters’ purity and high lime content. This area is reported
to be one of the most beautiful landscapes in Afghanistan, and has been a popular tourist attraction since
the 1950s with day tours operating from Bamiyan.
Kole Hashmat Khan Waterfowl Sanctuary
On the southeastern outskirts of Kabul, Lake Hashmat Khan was used as a hunting ground since Mongol
times. In the 1930s King Mohammed Zahir Shah declared it a waterfowl reserve. As of 1978, there were
over 30,000 migratory birds using the lake with 157 species being identified by 1978. The lake lies in the
Hindu Kush flyway and marsh area of the formerly expansive marshlands of Kabul.
Wildlife Biodiversity Richness
Situated in the middle of the Eurasia continent, Afghanistan has a wide diversity of habitats and
ecosystems, ranging from steppes, semi-deserts, rainforest and lakes to shrub land, mountain woodlands
31
and mountains. Of a total area of 65.2 million hectares, approximately 30 million are rangelands, 7.9
million arable land and 1.7 million or so of forests. Phyto-geographically, the greater part of Afghanistan
belongs to the west Asiatic region, the southern lowland belongs to the African-Indian desert regions and
the eastern part belongs to the Sino-Japanese region. Zoo-geographically, Afghanistan is situated at the
confluence of Paleartic and oriental zones. Altitudinal range and climatic differences have created
conditions suitable for rich biodiversity.
Many of the larger mammals in Afghanistan are categorized by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as
globally threatened. These include snow leopard, wild goat, markhor, Marco Polo sheep, urial, and
Asiatic black bear. Other mammals of interest include ibex, wolf, red fox, jackal, caracal, manul or
Pallas’s cat, striped hyena, rhesus macaque, and brown bear.
Many of Afghanistan’s bird species are also globally threatened, including the Siberian crane, white-
headed duck, marbled teal, Pallas’s sea-eagle, greater spotted eagle, imperial eagle, lesser kestrel,
corncrake, sociable lapwing and the pale-backed pigeon. Among these, the Siberian crane is of particular
significance. This species is categorized by IUCN as Critically Endangered and is believed to face an
extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Only a single breeding pair may
remain in the central group, which formerly used wetlands in Afghanistan (and Iran) as stopover points
during migration between breeding grounds in Russia and the main overwintering area in India. Other
birds of interest found in Afghanistan include greater flamingo and houbara bustard.
The country has one endemic bird species, Meinertzhagen’s snow finch, and major breeding populations
of six other restricted regional species: yellow-eyed pigeon, plain willow warbler, Brooks’s willow
warbler, variable wheatear and Dead Sea sparrow. The population of yellow-eyed pigeon is particularly
important because the species is rare and declining throughout its Central Asian range. Afghanistan also
has significant numbers of breeding lammergeier, black vulture and other birds of prey.
Among reptiles, four species are believed to be restricted to Afghanistan: the geckos, and the lacertid
lizards. The salamander occurs only in mountain streams in the central Hindu Kush of Afghanistan and is
believed to be at risk from habitat modification and conflict. The freshwater fishes of Afghanistan (snow
trout and loaches) have been little studied, but many are believed to be endemic.
Vegetation and Forests Classification
Afghanistan has a rich flora in a wide range of ecosystems, with representatives of cosmopolitan plants,
plants distributed through the northern hemisphere, the pantropic plants, the Eurasiatic plants, central
Asiatic elements, eastern elements and endemic plants. All this cosmopolitan plant distribution includes
glaciers and high-alpine vegetation (particularly in the extreme northeast, including the Wakhan
Corridor), montane coniferous and mixed forest, open dry woodland with juniper, pistachio or almond,
semi-desert shrub, sand and stony deserts, rivers, lakes and marshland. The more closed types of mixed
and coniferous forests occur mainly in the east, along the border with Pakistan, where precipitation tends
to be more regular and abundant.
Vegetation cover in Afghanistan has been modified significantly through millennia of human occupation.
Generally speaking, the families, which are supposed to be most advanced in their respective orders, have
many endemics such as Composites of Camponulates, Leguminosae of Rosalae, Labiatae of Tubiflorae
and Cruciferae of Ghoeadales.
According to historic evidence, the natural vegetation of the country was originally woodland and forest,
but centuries of destruction and mismanagement have resulted in almost complete disappearance of
forests from plains and valleys in many parts of the country. Scattered remnant of juniper stands on the
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northern slopes of the Hindu kush give evidence of the previously large forests on the now barren slopes.
The formerly extensive tamarix forest of southwestern Afghanistan has been heavily over-exploited and
now exists as scattered bushy stands. As far as diversity is concerned, on the basis of the dominant
species and ecological distribution we can distinguish 10 types of forests in Afghanistan: Spruce-fir
forest, deodar forest, oak forest, juniper forest, pistachio forest, almond forest, olive forest, tamarix forest,
and Haloxylon forest. Loss of forest resources, including natural forests and plantations, is the major
environmental protection problem facing Afghanistan today.
2.2. Presentation of the Global Socio-Economic Environment of the NHLP
Afghanistan is an essentially agrarian country, with around 80 per cent of the population involved in
farming, herding, or both. Two basic farming patterns exist: a mixed crop and livestock system, and the
Kuchi pastoral system. The latter implies a nomadic existence, named after the Kuchi communities who
undertake a seasonal transfer of grazing animals to different pastures (a practice termed transhumance).
Only a relatively small part of the land area (12%) of Afghanistan is suitable for arable farming or
horticulture, including both irrigated as well as rain-fed farming. Prior to the Soviet occupation it is
estimated that 85 per cent of the population derived their main livelihood from arable farming,
horticulture and livestock husbandry, commonly in combination. More than half of all irrigated arable
land lies north of the main Hindu Kush range in the drainage systems of the Amu Darya River. Much of
the remaining irrigated land lies in the river basins draining southwest, west and southeast out from the
central massif, most significantly the basin of the Helmand River system.
Although estimates vary, a recent source suggests about 3.3 million ha (5 per cent of the total land area)
is irrigated and regularly cropped, while 4.5 million ha (7 per cent) is rain-fed and is cropped
opportunistically, depending on precipitations. Most of the rain-fed land lies in a 900-km long belt lying
west to east along the northern foothills and plains. Increasing rural population pressure on available land
over the last two to three generations has led to more and more traditional grazing land being cultivated
for rain-fed wheat crops, even on very steep slopes and in the highest mountains. Yields have proved to
be uncertain and crop failures common. The environmental degradation resulting from the destruction of
the original ground cover and consequent erosion is widespread and very serious. Of the remaining area,
about half (57 million ha according to some estimates) is rangeland and open Artimesia steppe used for
extensive livestock grazing, the rest having little or no vegetative ground cover.
Horticultural crops are an important part of the agricultural sector in Afghanistan. In the late 70s,
horticulture accounted for around 40% of the country export earnings, though occupying only some 6%
of the total arable land and 12% of the irrigated land. A 1997 FAO Survey indicates that an area of
140,000 ha of orchards, 92,000 ha of vegetables, 112,000 ha of cotton and 5,000 ha of sugar beet were
planted in 1976. There is no breakdown of either the orchard crops or the vegetable crops although it is
known that horticulture crops consisted of significant areas of grapes, apricots, apples, almonds, walnuts,
mulberries and melons. Raisins, dried apricots and almonds numbered among the country’s major
exports. Vegetables included large areas of potato, which is a common element in Afghan diets as well as
onions, tomatoes and eggplant. While horticulture crops covered only a small part of the total agricultural
and irrigated area economically they were very important. They were primarily high value cash crops,
which at the same time broadened the nutritional base of the population.
After declining during the war years, horticultural production area somewhat increased after the war due
to farmers’ preference for more remunerative cash crops as an alternative to poppy. Horticultural crops
represented an important source of income (gross income per unit area is three to seven times that of
wheat, which make horticultural crops a good alternative to poppy production). Nevertheless, there is
33
insufficient information on the current status of horticulture production. According to current information
provided, the orchard area had declined from 140,000 ha in 1997 to 70,000 ha. During this period
vegetable area had remained more or less constant at 90,000 ha.
The major fruit crops and vines include: grapes, almond, apricots, pomegranate, walnuts, pistachio, and
apples trees, covering a total of 95.9% of all orchards/vineyards: Meanwhile, Afghan dried fruits (mainly
almonds and apricots) accounted for 60% of the world market in 1982, but declined to 16% in 1990. The
share is much lower now, but the products are still important foreign exchange earners. Horticultural
crops represent the most viable alternative to poppy to cultivation; however, this will require
rehabilitation of the country’s fruit processing centers and transport systems.
Horticultural production can contribute to a less vulnerable, more diverse rural economy that provides
opportunities to women and men and improves their livelihoods. Peri-urban horticultural crop production,
and the associated markets and processing facilities, help supplement employment in urban areas.
Horticultural crops activities such as weeding, harvesting, sorting, processing, etc., provide significant
labor opportunities to women. This can help address a serious consequence of the continued conflict in
Afghanistan that has resulted in the widespread destruction of family life; many women have been
widowed or have lost the male members of their household. Single women now head many rural
households. In 1999, women heads occupied 11% of horticultural crops farms; these percentages are now
likely much higher.
Horticultural crops and their wild relatives play a fundamental role in the ecosystem rehabilitation and
provision of sustainable agriculture. Intercropping vegetables with fruit trees to maximize land use
efficiency is part of traditional farming system of Afghanistan. Fruit trees such as pistachio and almond
are known to provide optimal use of scarce water resources and marginal land, and provide some income
even in years of extreme drought or crop loss.
Afghanistan is also a unique center of genetic diversity of vegetable and fruit species such as carrots,
radish, melon, cherry, plum, apricot, peach, pear, apple, walnut, pistachio, fig, grapes, pomegranate,
almond, etc. However, gene bank facilities have been destroyed in 1992, and the country has no capacity
for maintaining varietals purity or stocking vegetable seeds. Genetic erosion of horticultural crops has
been observed at both inter- and intra-specific levels.
The most recent analysis of the status of horticulture in Afghanistan was documented by the FAO in
2000. This survey clearly illustrates the disruption that has occurred in this sector and describes the
primary limitations that existed at that time. The horticultural sector in Afghanistan has experienced
rapid and significant changes over the course of recent years, first with a decline of activities which
coincided with the beginning of the war and the emigration of refugee populations in 1980s, and followed
by a gradual rehabilitation which started in the early 90s and then another decline due to the intense civil
war between 1997-2002. The most recently initiated emergency horticulture and livestock project (HLP)
enters in the government policy to rehabilitate and rejuvenate the horticulture and livestock sectors in
order to revamp these segments of the Afghan economy.
In recent years Afghanistan has earned notoriety as the world’s largest producer of opium, contributing
some 75 per cent of the global illegal supply. The opium poppy has been cultivated for many centuries in
Afghanistan, but the period of conflict has led to a massive expansion in production. In the southwest and
eastern provinces, in particular Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzghan, Nangarhar, Laghman and Kunar, opium
poppy has increasingly replaced wheat as the most significant autumn-sown cash crop and as a spring-
sown crop in Badakhshan province. In 1999 output was estimated by the United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime (UNODC) at about 4,600 tons of opium gum from a total area of 91,000 ha. This fell to 3,300
34
tons from 81,000 ha in 2000 largely because of the drought and more dramatically to 185 tons from 8,000
ha in 2001 due to a strictly enforced ban imposed by the Taliban government.
The departure of the Taliban saw a return to massive poppy cultivation in 2002, which UNODC estimates
at about 3,400 tons from 74,000 ha. The farm gate price of opium gum has risen dramatically from about
US$30 per kg in 2000 to its current level of about US$350–US$400 per kg in late 2002. Wheat is the
main seasonal competitor crop for opium poppy. However, while it is estimated that a 2.5 tons per hectare
crop of wheat might earn a farmer US$440, the equivalent land sown to poppy will earn him US$18,400.
This makes opium an almost irresistible crop for rural families struggling to rebuild their lives and
improve their livelihoods. It is hardly a surprise to find that 2002 also saw the spread of poppy cultivation
into a number of provinces and districts where it had not been cultivated previously.
Wheat straw along with other crop residues, wild plants and weeds and fodder crops such as Lucerne,
clover and vetches help to sustain livestock, especially through the winter months. Cattle and sheep
provide milk, meat, wool and hides, as well as dung for fuel. Oxen are the main source of power for
cultivation, while horses and donkeys provide rural transportation. Most rural families keep a cow or two
for milk, and certain local breeds, such as the Kandahari and Kunari, are well recognized. There is
evidence of cross-breeding with western breeds in many locations. Not all rural families keep sheep and
goats but flocks are found in most villages, sometimes running into hundreds. Several different, distinct
local breeds of sheep are recognized, mostly of the fat-tailed/fat-rumped type.
The estimated numbers of sheep (about 14 million) and goat (3 million) in 1978-79 fell dramatically
during the ten years of Soviet war, according to some estimates by as much as 40 per cent. In the ten
years after 1989, a period of comparative rural peace and good grazing, sheep numbers rose to an
estimated 24 million and goat numbers to 9 million by 1999, but the persistent drought and poor grazing
conditions since 1999 has led to a massive reduction in herd numbers (possibly by as much as 70 per
cent) and many kuchi families who have lost all their livestock have been forced to become refugees or
move into camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) close to feeding centers.
The nomadic/transhumant Kuchis are mainly ethnic Pashtun. Collectively they own about one-third of the
national flock. Typically flocks are comprised of 80 per cent sheep and 20 per cent goats, with horses,
donkeys and camels used for transport and their traditional homes being black goat-hair tents. Typically,
many of the Pashtun Kuchis winter in Pakistan as far south as the southern Punjab and the Sind, moving
back to Afghanistan in the spring and gradually into the high mountains to 3,000 m altitude and above in
the summer as the snow recedes. Other smaller groups of professional herders also exist, such as the felt
yurt-dwelling Kyrgyz in the Pamir who herd yaks as well as sheep, goats and camels, and the Gujar cattle
owners who winter in the Punjab and North West Frontier of Pakistan and summer in upper Kunar and
other border provinces.
Traditional migration routes have often been seriously disrupted in the recent years of conflict, as for
instance across the Taliban/Northern Alliance front line in Takhar. Ethnic and religious antagonism
between the Pashtun Kuchis and the local resident Hazaras and Aimaq in the central Hindu Kush massif
has led to an outflow of kuchi from the Hazarajat. At present the retreat of the Taliban, who gave military
support to the Pashtun Kuchis, means that access to the central mountains is not encouraged by the local
Hazaras, who own their own resident flocks and herds.
2.2.1. Demographic Characteristics
Afghanistan is culturally highly diverse, with around 20 distinct ethnic groups. Some groups tend to
occupy particular areas of the country, while others are more scattered, or mainly urban. Traditional tribal
rivalries are an important factor in social relationships, and the diversity of ethnic groups is reflected in
35
the current composition of the Transitional Authority. The two main languages are Pashto (the language
of the Pashtuns) and Dari (a variant of Persian). Afghanistan is a Muslim country, with the majority
Sunni and most of the remainder Shi’a.
Living mainly in the wide belt of land south of the Hindu Kush, Pashtuns (the largest single ethnic
group)have since the 18th century, tended to be the dominant element in national governance. Four other
groups – the Turkoman, Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz – extend into northern Afghanistan from parts of
Central Asia. Of these, the Tajiks form the second largest group in the country. The Hazara and Aimaq
people live mainly in the mountainous centre, with Baluch and Brahui people in the drylands of the
southwest. Of the many smaller communities, the Nuristani and Pasha’i in the northeastern Nuristan
province are particularly distinct culturally and linguistically, and were only converted to Islam in the
19th century.
Despite the considerable loss of life and forced migration during the recent years of conflict, available
estimates suggest that the country’s total population has risen fairly steadily from more than 8 million in
1950 to nearly 22 million in 2000. An estimated 4 million Afghans resided outside the country in early
2002. However, by December 2002, around 1.8 million had returned following the downfall of the
Taliban government. Almost 50 per cent of all returnees have resettled in the central region, while the
eastern, northern, southern and western regions have received 22, 21, 6 and 3 per cent respectively.
In General, we can characterize the Afghan population in the following manner:
- an important growth rate: this growth resulted in the doubling of the population in 30 years, it
increased from 15.5 million in 1979 to about 34 million people in 2012. The annual average
growth rate between 1960 and 2010 is 2.8% and 2.22% in 2012 according to the World Bank
estimates. Urban areas are experiencing rapid population growth following the return of over 5
million expats.
- a massive rural exodus leading to an anarchic settlement: Globally, the Afghan urban
populations have doubled since the 1980s, where some 30% of the people are thought to live in
urban or peri-urban centers. Afghanistan’s urbanization has accelerated following the country’s
dramatic event of war and regime changes over the past three years. Civil war and the
destruction of towns and villages caused mass movements of people in two major directions-
emigration, mainly to Pakistan and Iran, or internal resettlement to the relative safety of Kabul
- a rapid and often anarchic urbanization: Kabul, the Capital City, has grown from some
500,000 people in 2001 to an estimated 3 million at the end of 2004 to close to 3.5 million in
2011. It is in Kabul that the country’s most significant urban challenges are seen, including rapid
population growth, the destruction of much of the city’s physical infrastructure due to war and
lack of maintenance, land tenure issues, a sharp increase in land prices and rents, a shortage of
low-income housing and a high rate of unemployment.
- a population trend: There exists an anomaly in Afghanistan reporting of population by sex.
Females are underreported relative to males in the younger age groups (below age 15) because of
son preference which is prevalent in the country. The reported percentage of total female
population in 2010 is estimated to about 48.8%, suggesting a male dominant trend with 51.2%.
Sex-selective abortion is not a likely cause for the underreporting of females, especially given the
lack of ultrasound machines. More than likely, some girls are reported as boys because of stigma
attached to families who have only girl children and may not wish to report the presence of girls.
- a rather young population: The age group of less than 15 years was more than 42.9% of the
Afghan population in 2010 and the proportion of the 15-64 year age group is estimated at more
36
than 54.5%, while the population aged 65 and over is only 2.4% of the population. In summary,
the Afghan population is rather young and the tranche of those of less than 35 years (65%) old
form the majority of the population
2.2.2. Socio-Educative Characteristics
The Government aims at having a well-educated nation. Since 2002, the Government has invested
heavily in the education sector and has attained progress toward the ultimate goals of educating for all of
Afghanistan’s children, reducing illiteracy, and creating a skilled labor force. The Government is
committed to meeting the Millennium Development Goals, and the primary education objective for the
ANDS is to keep Afghanistan on track for their timely attainment.
The Government aims to increase literacy (from its current level of 28%), improve quality of education,
expand the capacity of the education system to absorb more students, increase equal access to education
for all (boys & girls), improve opportunities for and quality of higher education, and expand the capacity
and improve the quality of vocational education and skills building. The provision of basic education and
reducing illiteracy rates will remain the top priority for the Government throughout the life of the ANDS.
The Government is committed to implement the priority programs endorsed in the National Education
Strategic Plan.
The next priority is to improve the quality and management of education by devolving responsibility for
the delivery of education services to local authorities while strengthening the monitoring and strategic
planning capacity of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, and Ministry of Labor and
Social Services. The key priority in the vocational training subsector is to align vocational training and
skills development programs with the needs of the economy through improved coordination and
implementation capacity at the National Vocational Education and Training Board (NVETB).
2.2.3. Health and Nutrition Characteristics
Afghanistan’s health indicators are near the bottom of international indices, and far worse, in terms of
their health, than any other country in the region. Afghanistan has the highest maternal mortality rate in
the world, estimated in 2008 at 1,400 deaths/100,000 live births, and the highest infant mortality rate in
the world (deaths of babies under one year), and estimated in 2012 to be around 122 deaths/1,000 live
births. Data from 2010 suggests that one in 10 children in Afghanistan dies before they are five years old.
Life expectancy is very low, infant, under-five and maternal mortality are very high, and there is an
extremely high prevalence of chronic malnutrition and widespread occurrence of micronutrient
deficiency diseases.
The overarching priority of the health sector is to address priority health issues through a universal
coverage of a Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS). The Government is implementing the BPHS
and strengthening the referral network that links patients into the hospitals that provide the Essential
Package of Hospital Services (EPHS). Specifically, the Government is focusing on strengthening
reproductive health services, particularly in the areas of safe motherhood and family planning; improving
the nutritional status of mothers and children; and controlling communicable diseases, recognizing their
adverse impact on the health of all Afghans.
Because of these factors, the implementation of SEA in the NHLP must build on the lessons learned from
the implementation of HLP which serves as the reference (or base situation, zero State) level, from which
we can assess the effectiveness of measures and good practice guidelines proposed in the environmental
and social management framework (ESMF).
37
PART 3: ANALYSIS OF THE INTEGRATION OF SEA POLICY FRAMEWORK
This part refers to the strategic guidelines and the policy framework adopted by the Afghan government
in regard to the integration of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and specifically covers the
following components: i) environmental governance, including the National Strategy to Combat Poverty
and the National Strategy for Sustainable Development; (ii) policy guidelines in the agriculture sector
development, including the NHLP.
3.1. Policy Framework and Strategic Directions for Environmental Integration
3.1.1. Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction (EGPR)
The fight against poverty is a priority of the development policy advocated by the government of
Afghanistan. This policy is part of the ANDS (PRSP) orientations and constitutes a reference framework
for any action and any program supported by the development partners.
In preparing the ANDS, the Government has adopted evidence based policy making—through detailed
poverty diagnostic work—to better understand the causes and effects of poverty in all its forms. Based
on this analysis, the ANDS serves as a pro-poor growth strategy. By pro-poor, the Government means
making investments that have a preferential impact on bringing the poor out of extreme poverty through
the adoption of growth enabling policies and targeted social protection investments. Afghanistan aims to
achieve pro-poor growth, where the incomes and livelihoods of the poorest rise faster than the average
growth of the economy. Key findings of the Government’s 2007 National Risk and Vulnerability
Assessment (NRVA) indicate that the poverty rate stands at 42 percent (or 12 million people), with per
capita incomes of about US$14 per month. Moreover, food poverty was estimated to affect around 45
percent of Afghans who are unable to purchase sufficient food to guarantee the world standard minimum
food intake of 2,100cal/day. Furthermore, 20 percent were situated slightly above the poverty line
indicating a high level of vulnerability.
To be sustainable economic growth which in Afghanistan is agriculture-based cannot be achieved at the
cost of environmental and natural resource degradation. Establishing clear environment–poverty linkage
in the context of Afghan development, improving natural resource management with due consideration
for the vulnerable population, preventing further degradation of the environment, and improving and
maintaining the integrity of ecosystem services, is therefore the key to lasting recovery, human security,
and the sustainable development of Afghanistan.
To successfully implement this strategy, the Government has endeavored to comprehensively address the
security, governance, and development needs of Afghanistan, and has prepared the five-year Afghanistan
National Development Strategy. The ANDS reflects the Government’s vision, principles and goals for
Afghanistan, building on and in support of commitments to reach the Afghanistan Compact benchmarks
and the country Millennium Development Goals. The Afghanistan Compact represents an international
commitment to improve security, governance, and development conditions and opportunities for all
Afghans.
Environmental management will be one of the elements of the six transversal actions included in the two
priority zones (arid rural resource depleted areas, precarious human settled neighborhoods) and in the
three priority areas (Security, Governance, Economic Growth and Social Development) to attain the
medium and long term objectives for the execution of the planned actions under the framework of the
PRSP.
38
3.1.2. National Strategy for Sustainable Development
One of the important areas of concern in the ANDS, as the developmental master plan for the country,
that has so far been largely left out of debate and discussion by the civil society and government is
sustainable development. ANDS emphasizes the critical role of not only development but sustainable
development in the future of the country and in fact sets out to marry the development process in the
country with the goal of sustainability in general, and sustainable agriculture in particular. Abundant
water resources, rich mines and mineral deposits, expansive swaths of fertile land for agriculture, a young
and energetic young population and many others are the resources that Afghanistan has in its disposal.
Sustainable development not only takes into consideration fulfilling the needs and requirements of now
but also the needs and requirements of Afghanistan many years into the future by keeping the
environment and the ecological system of the country from destruction especially in the rural areas. Clean
and healthy environment, sustainable economic and social development, and effective management of the
country’s environment through participation of all stakeholders are the strategic goals of ANDS.
The Environment as a cross-cutting issue, must be mainstreamed across all sectors and programs,
especially in agriculture programs (NHLP being a pioneer program) through the development of policy
benchmarks to ensure that the Government, donors and implementing agencies follow established norms
with respect to the incorporation of environmental considerations into the design and implementation of
projects, providing adequate oversight and monitoring of the environmental impacts in projects’ layout.
Analysis of the Level of SEA into the National Environmental Protection Agency Strategy (NEPA)
The initiation of the ANDS has provided a framework for NEPA’s strategy9 for achieving the expected
interim results for environmental management. Above all, NEPA’s coordination function is to ensure that
environmental issues are integrated into the ANDS and, thus, environmental priority needs are included
in Afghanistan’s continued development. The growing demand from the Afghan public, international
community and Government of Afghanistan for environmental information and leadership indicates that
NEPA’s mandate is timely and crucial.
Thus the most effective strategy option for NEPA in the implementation of NHLP will focus on
strengthening its coordination and technical capability to provide MAIL and other stakeholders with the
tools to understand how environment should be streamlined into NHLP activities for agricultural
development.
On poverty reduction, the degradation of Afghanistan’s environment and natural resource base, on which
its population is so heavily dependent to satisfy its livelihood needs, has led to lingering poverty and
health issues. Effective environmental management during NHLP implementation will revive livelihood
options based on people’s investment options in horticulture and livestock that undermine workforce
stability and economic productivity.
Lastly, the environmental monitoring procedures being very limited and less clear in the ANDS, it is
obvious that the application of SEA in NHLP would have the advantage of facilitating a better
appreciation and a global analysis of major environmental issues associated with NHLP subprojects
implementation under NEPA guidance.
3.1.3 National Agriculture Development Framework and Strategic Orientations
9 National Environmental Protection Agency Strategy (NEPAS) which is the Afghanistan’s environmental policy
39
The ANDS strategic objective for agriculture and rural development strategy is to attract private sector
investment to transform agriculture to a high-value commercial agriculture sector as a source of growth
and expansive means of livelihood. The Government is implementing a coordinated agricultural and rural
development program targeting two broad goals: (i) poverty reduction and (ii) the provision of alternative
livelihoods. The Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Sector Strategy10
(which
is being implemented and NHLP is part of this strategy) articulates a road map for the way forward in
which poverty reduction through economic regeneration is the central objective. The overall focus is to
support the poorest and most vulnerable segments of rural society. Of great importance, with increasing
efforts towards poppy eradication, the rapid expansion of horticulture crops plays an increased role in the
rural economy and is more essential than ever to limit the numbers of marginal small holders falling
below the poverty line.
Most farmers are engaged in subsistence or near-subsistence agriculture, and many farming families
remain food insecure and therefore face risky livelihoods often combined with chronic debt. As a result,
the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and food shortages has increased. The Agriculture and
Rural Development Strategy sets out a series of programs designed to achieve improved quality of life for
rural citizens – one in which food security is assured, basic services are provided, incomes increase with
households actively engaged in legal activities (including horticulture and livestock), employment
opportunities expansion and where people live in a safe and secure environment. Activities are usefully
consolidated into two main components: a Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD)
and the Agricultural and Rural Development Zone (ARDZ) initiatives.
Analysis of the Level of SEA Integration in the Agricultural Sector
The Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Sector Strategy seems to have
integrated in its concerns the protection and rational management of land resources. For example, CARD
focuses on the equitable access of the most vulnerable to natural resources (water, land, pastoral
resources, etc.) and their rational and sustainable exploitation. But the CARD strategy does not set
environmental targets to achieve from the impacts of horticulture and livestock farming activities
(necessary for NHLP), such as land degradation or overgrazing. Because of this, the integration of the
environment in the NHLP development policy faces a major obstacle which is the absence of links with
the global environmental policies, though Environmental protection and assistance to communities to
manage and protect local environment-base for sustainable growth is one of the key components of the
policy framework of the agricultural sector, essential for sustainable management and implementation of
NHLP.
With regard to the instruments of environmental governance implemented by MAIL, one should note that
SEA, EIA and the ESMF are less applied and concern only the projects subject to development partners’
requirements. The projects funded by the Government budget and Arab donors (Islamic Development
Bank, Arab Fund for Social and economic development, etc.), pay less attention to this type of exercise
and are generally implemented without a real consideration of the problems related to environmental
governance at the level of policies, plans and program.
Moreover, the main regulatory texts governing pastoral, forestry, hunting and nature protection codes
encourage the preservation of natural resources and their rational exploitation, but remain less applied on
10 The fifteen programs that will provide the vehicles for reaching the objectives of the CARD strategy are as follows: National Solidarity
Program, National Food Security Program, National Area Based Development Program, CARD horticulture program, CARD livestock program,
National Rural Access Program , Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program, CARD Irrigation Program, CARD National Resource program,
National Surveillance System, Rural Electrification program, Rural Enterprise program, research and Extension System, the Card Emergency
Response System, and the CARD Capacity Building program.
40
the ground since their respective laws are still on the draft and yet to be promulgated, except for the
Forestry Law. This is for example to explain why the forest resources are still overexploited.
In addition, even if the CARD sector strategy and major resulting projects (NHLP, OFWMP, IAIDS,
IRDP, Food Security projects, etc.) have integrated in their objectives the two dimensions of poverty and
rational management of natural resources, yet it remains that these important aspects appear to be as
effective in the broad policy guidelines for the sector.
Also, because of the lack of holistic environmental approach, the actions undertaken in terms of
protection and conservation of the environment rather meet specific agricultural needs (protection of
spaces and increasing the agricultural production, vegetation cover regeneration, dams and dikes
rehabilitation, dune fixation, reservoir construction, etc.), but does not fit into a global logic of
improvement of environmental policies for sustainable and integrated environmental management.
For example, the programs of development of pastoral wells, provision of agricultural concessions,
development of herd trails, and control of grain-eating birds, pesticide sprays and locust control treatment
do not take into account parameters such as balance between the forage capacity and water potential,
environmental monitoring pesticides treated areas and their potential impacts on sensitive resources or
fragile areas.
Given a lack of consistent analysis of interrelationships between the various development sectors at the
plan and program levels, one sometimes faces oppositions and conflicts between rural agriculture and
other technical services, the intensification of the overgrazing phenomenon around the water points and
the disappearance of species or pollution of sensitive areas due to pesticides and other chemical
applications.
An agricultural environmental assessment would have allowed, in such cases, to incorporate all the issues
related to the development of the agricultural sector, but also to take into account the development
objectives related to other sectors, which may thus contribute to the preservation of the agricultural
environments in their entirety and concerted manner.
3.2. Legal Framework of Environmental Governance for the Integration of SEA
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan adopted a directory of legislation for the protection and sustainable
management of the environment and natural resources. The Environment Law n ° 912/2007, establishing
the environment code, is the General regulatory framework of reference. It aims to reconcile
environmental requirements with the requirements of the economic and social development.
The Environment Law is based on international standards that recognize the current state of
Afghanistan’s environment while laying a framework for the progress of governance leading to effective
environmental management. With respect to multilateral environmental agreements and regional
cooperation, Afghanistan has primarily concentrated on “green” trans-boundary issues concerning
protection and preservation with NEPA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and Livestock
(MAIL) dividing duties as the respective focal points. Afghanistan has signed but not ratified the Basel
Convention regarding trans-boundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste, and is in the process of
acceding to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock is the focal point for the UN Convention on
Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the
Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). Afghanistan has also ratified the
41
Ozone treaties, the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, and the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) with NEPA as the focal point (NEPA Environmental Policy Paper).
The Environmental Law of Afghanistan promulgated in 2007 is quite comprehensive and covers most of
the aspects of natural resources management. The law requires inter alia that planning for sustainable use,
rehabilitation and conservation of biological diversity, forests, rangeland and other natural resources,
prevention and control of pollution, and conservation and rehabilitation of the environment from adverse
effects shall be an obligatory element of all national and local land-use plans and natural resources plans
developed by all relevant ministries and national institutions. (art.23). Furthermore, it stipulates local
communities should be involved in decision-making processes regarding sustainable natural resource
management (art. 23, para 10), and that affected persons must be given the opportunity to participate in
each phase of the project. (art. 19, para 1). This Law clarifies administrative roles at the national level and
specifies the coordination required with provincial authorities. It spells out frameworks for managing
natural resource conservation and biodiversity, drinking water, pollution control, and environmental
education.
3.2.1. Legislation relative to Environmental Assessments
Among Existing environmental management tools existing in the environment code include the
environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as a tool to aid decision-making for the projects’ environmental
and social acceptability. Thus, at the level of this Decree, it is stipulated that any activity likely to have
sensitive and negative effects on the environment must be subject to prior authorization of the National
Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), through the assessment of an impact study of this activity on
the environment.
The inclusive list of projects, work, activities and planning documents submitted to a study of the
Environmental Impact is annexed to the decree which specifies in addition to taking account of all factors
likely to affect the environment and sensitive areas.
Analysis of the efficiency of Environmental Assessment Instruments in Afghanistan
Despite the existence of the EIA regulations, it must be acknowledged that this legislation has constraints
on the ground, particularly as regards:
- the effective application EIA procedures by the private and public proponents.
- the monitoring of the implementation of the Environmental and Social Framework.
- the expertise and the resources to be allocated for the quality analysis and compliance of
reports.
- the ownership of the EIA process by the sectoral ministries and sponsors.
- the coordination, monitoring and harmonization of sectoral texts for a better consideration of
the EIA procedures.
Indeed, the inconsistency and/or weak points identified above require a rereading of the Decree on EIAs,
to ensure its actual application in the field and by all subjected projects. The following proposed elements
of improvement must be taken into account in this review:
i) Add in the content of the EIA report: the analysis of the institutional framework of the
environment and the sponsor Department (strengths, weaknesses and opportunities); the
42
directory of the national legislation applicable to the project; the directory of international
conventions and agreements, ratified by Afghanistan and applicable to the project.
ii) provide technical and administrative procedures of EIAs the requirement of certification of
qualification for the firms and the consultants in charge to carry out EIAs in Afghanistan.
iii) consult and involve representatives of local communities, civil society and associative groups
from the approval phase of the TORs.
iv) specify in the ESMF the role of the actors responsible for its implementation.
iv) Add in the content of the EIA report the analysis of the "without project" situation.
v) Apply the provisions concerning the authorization of feasibility by the NEPA and not by the
sponsor Department (or guardianship) of the project
3.2.2. Analysis of the Consistency of Environmental Governance Instruments with International
Conventions and Community Agreements
Afghanistan is signatory to several international conventions and agreements relating to the protection of
the environment which include:
i) Convention of the United Nations on Combating Desertification (UNCCD);
ii) the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations
iii) the Convention of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the
Kyoto Protocol;
iv) Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its amendments
v) Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat;
vi) the Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna threatened
with extinction (CITES);
vii) Basel Convention on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
viii) Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
ix) Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS);
x) the Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPS);
xi) Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent.
Regional Agreements, Conventions and Treaties
There are numerous environmental issues and resources in Afghanistan that will require a transboundary
approach to management, including: (i) water sharing in the Helmand River water with Iran, agreement
that was not formally ratified by Afghanistan due to political instability; (ii) Amu Darya basins with the
former Soviet states with the 1946 frontier agreement between Afghanistan and the former Soviet Union
and the 1958 treaty concerning the regime to the Soviet-Afghan frontier; (iii) forest management in the
eastern provinces with Pakistan; and (iv) protected areas in the Wakhan Corridor and Sistan basin.
High-level talks on transboundary environmental management have restarted within the framework of the
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). ECO is an intergovernmental organization established in
1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the purpose of sustainable socio-economic development of the
member states. In 1992, ECO was expanded to include the Islamic State of Afghanistan, Republic of
43
Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and
Republic of Uzbekistan.
Despite this membership of Afghanistan to the environmental legislation at the bilateral, sub-regional and
international levels, it should be noted that the implementation of most of the conventions and agreements
and their integration into the legislation and national regulations remain limited and less concerted. The
difficulties are mainly from a lack of ownership of sectoral Departments and the weakness of their
capacities (technical, human and financial).
3.2.3. Analysis of the Consistency with the World Bank Safeguard Policies
For the purposes of this SEA, plans and rural development (horticulture and livestock in the case)
programs were overall analyzed in connection with the World Bank safeguard policies and procedures of
the OECD on the SEA.
Taking into account that these safeguard policies are consistent with the OECD procedures on the SEA
and that the World Bank is a very active institutions in the sub-sectors of rural development (agriculture
and water) in Afghanistan, this approach should ensure a coherent planning integrating both the
preservation of natural resources and the improvement of environmental governance tools, through the
realization of SEA.
The environmental and social safeguard policies consist of a set of 11 directives or operational policies.
The first ten directives relate specifically to:
i) the environmental assessment (OP 4.01).
ii) the natural habitats (OP 4.04).
iii) the pest management (OP 4.09).
iv) the involuntary resettlement (OP 4.12).
v) the indigenous people (OP 4.20).
vi) the forestry (OP 4.36).
vii) the security of dams (OP 4.37).
viii) the cultural heritage (OP 11.03).
ix) the projects in international waterways (OP 7.50).
x) the projects in disputed areas (OP 7.60).
The eleventh directive, which integrates the safeguard policies, concerns the dissemination of information
policy (BP 17.50).
It should be noted that all these policies are not of the same rank, and the first, on environmental
assessments, prevails over all others, because it precede, covers them and is the gateway to the strategic
environmental assessment in environmental governance instruments.
The tables below are an analysis of consistency between safeguard policies and instruments of
environmental governance, and determine policies potentially triggered by the rural development sector.
44
Table 2: Analysis of compliance and consistency with environmental safeguard policies
Applicable environmental
safeguard Policies
Environmental governance
Instruments
Comments/Observations
OP 4.01 Environmental
Assessment:
OP 4.01 classifies the projects as
follow:
Category A: Major negative
impact certain
Category B: potential
negative impact
Category C: no significant
negative impact.
Public Consultation
Dissemination of
l’information
The 2005 Environment Act and
2007 Policy Ordinance relating to
the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA)
Two categories are specified:
Category 1: EIA
Category 2: EIN
o There exists one which is
inclusive of projects
subject to EIA procedures
Dissemination of planned
information but the practical
procedures for the conduct of
the public consultation are not
defined
No legislation on SEAs exist in
Afghanistan
Conformity of all, except in the
process of categorization of projects (3
categories against 2)
Administrative procedure for projects
screening and classification
Partial compliance for public
participation
Full compliance regarding
dissemination of information
NB: All these environmental safeguard
policies will apply to the water and rural
development sectors in framework of the
SEA
OP 4.04 Natural Habitats Act No. determining the conditions
of managing Wildlife and its
habitat, which lays down the
general conditions of conservation,
protection, development and
exploitation of wildlife and its
habitat.
Compliance with the safeguard policy
Programs related to the rural
development sector (National
Horticulture and Livestock in this case)
will not trigger this policy, because no
achievement is expected in natural
habitats and protected areas
OP 4.09 Pest Management Regulations relative to Pesticide
Law and Quarantine Laws &
Policies Implementation
Full compliance with this policy
insofar as there is a pest and pesticides
management plan in Afghanistan
The implementation of agricultural
sector programs (NHLP, IAIDS, etc.)
will certainly require the use of
pesticides, including and the control
against other pests and locusts
This policy will be applicable
OP 4.11 Cultural Heritage Legislation concerning the
protection of heritage and
archaeological sites
Compliance with this policy to the
extent where the agricultural (NHLP,
IAIDS) and water (OFWM) sectors
and development programs are not
expected to have effects on cultural
heritage
OP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement the state and property Act This policy is triggered in certain
irrigation subprojects which may
require the population displacement
and/or the expropriation of land
OP 4.37 Security of Dams None Compliance with this policy, because
the agricultural programs (in NHLP)
covered in SEA do not provide more
than 3 m high dam construction
OP 7.50 International Waterways Agreement relative to the sharing of This policy will be triggered to the extent
45
the Helmand River water between
Iran and Afghanistan, but no formal
ratification; Amu Darya River: 1946
frontier agreement with the Soviet
Union; 1958 treaty concerning the
regime to Soviet-Afghan frontier
where the irrigation activities and the
construction of hydro-agricultural
infrastructure could relate to the Helmand,
Chakani, Pashin Lora, Hari Rud, Kabul
and Amu Darya rivers which are
international waterways
Table 3: World Bank Safeguard Policies Potentially Triggered
World Bank Safeguards Policies Policy Applicability
Yes No TBD
OP 4.01 - ENVIRONNEMENTALE ASSESSMENT X
OP 4.04 - Natural Habitats X
OP 4.09 - Pest Management X
OP 4.11 - Cultural Heritage X
OP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement X
OP 4.20 - Indigenous People X
OP 4.36 - Forestry X
OP 4.37 - Security for Dams X
OP 7.50 - Projects in International Water Ways X
OP 7.60 - Projects Disputed Areas X
3.3. Institutional Framework for the Integration of SEA
The institutional actors involved in the sector of environment and agricultural development can be
divided into three groups, namely:
i) governmental institutions;
ii) socio-professional organizations; and
iii) development partners.
3.3.1. Governmental Institutions
The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA)
It was in 2002 that for the first time in the history of the country, an authority for environmental
management was mandated in the new governmental structure. The Ministry of Irrigation and Water
Resources (established under the Interim Administration) was allocated the additional responsibility for
environmental management and renamed as the Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources and Environment
(MIWRE). In 2005 the real support to the sustainable management of natural resources and the
environment appeared in Afghanistan, with the creation of the National Environmental Protection
Agency (NEPA), the country’s environmental governing body under the oversight of the cabinet of the
President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Due to increasing environmental problems (urban environment, surface and groundwater, forests and
rangelands, soils, air, wildlife and biodiversity, and uncontrolled import and use of agro-chemicals) to be
addressed the Department of Environment was separated from MIWRE and was subsequently declared
an independent Department of Environment, and given the function and the status of an independent
National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) in 2005.
46
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, which is supporting the sectors of
agriculture, livestock, has been awarded the management of aspects relating to the preservation of the
environment and natural resources. The creation in 2005 of NEPA marked a new step in the commitment
of the Government to work towards the achievement of the objectives of sustainable development and the
strengthening of the integration of the environment in public policies, with as missions:
- the preparation, coordination, execution, monitoring and evaluation of the Government policy
in the areas of the environment, including taking account of the objectives of sustainable
development and their implementation in public policy.
- the application of the provisions of the law on the environment code.
- an establishment and implementation of the Environment Intervention Fund.
According to the Islamic Republic of Afghan’s Environmental Law of 2007, NEPA shall carry out the
following functions and responsibilities:
- Maintain environmental integrity and promote the sustainable use of natural resources;
- Promote conservation and rehabilitation of the environment;
- Coordinate environmental affairs at the local, national and international levels;
- Develop and implement national environmental policies and strategies in order to integrate
environmental issues and sustainable development approaches into the legal and regulatory
frameworks;
- Provide environmental management services in the areas of environmental impact assessment,
air and water quality management, waste management, pollution control, and permitting of
related activities;
- Establish communication and outreach for environmental information to ensure improved
awareness of environmental issues;
- Implement bilateral or multilateral environmental agreements to which Afghanistan is a Party;
- Implement the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and
Flora (CITES);
- Sign on behalf of the government agreements regarding the protection and rehabilitation of the
environment;
- Promote and manage the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan‘s accession to and ratification of
bilateral and multilateral environmental agreements;
- Coordinate the preparation and implementation of a national program for environmental
monitoring and effectively utilize the data provided by that program;
- Prepare every two years in relation to urban areas and every five years in relation to rural
areas a State of the Environment report for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for
submission to the President‘s Office;
- Prepare an interim State of the Environment report on emerging issues relevant to the
environment in Afghanistan not less than every two years;
- Within a period of three years of promulgation of this Act, develop a national environmental
action plan, which assesses the urgency and importance of actions that should be taken in the
short, medium and long-term in order to prevent, eliminate and reduce adverse effects as
described in the most recent State of the Environment report, and, in consultation with
47
relevant ministries and institutions, determines a coordinated strategy and schedule for the
implementation of those actions;
- Periodically compile and publish reports on significant environmental indicators;
- On an annual basis, compile and publish a report that details the authorizations granted and
activities undertaken by the National Environmental Protection Agency;
- Assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the Act and any regulations made under it in
improving the sustainability of the use and management of natural resources and conservation
and rehabilitation of the environment;
- Develop and implement plans for environmental training, environmental education and
environmental awareness-raising in cooperation with relevant ministries and public bodies;
- Actively coordinate and cooperate with ministries, Provincial Councils and District and
Village Councils, public bodies and the private sector on all issues related to sustainable use of
natural resources and conservation and rehabilitation of the environment;
- Monitor the implementation of the objectives and provisions of this law;
- Fulfill any other functions that may be assigned by the Council of Ministers.
It is important to note that NEPA has technical Directorates, including the Environmental Control
Directorate which is responsible for issuing instructions and guides organizing different steps in the
administrative and legal procedures related to EIA.
Unfortunately, it is to be noted that the responsibilities of this piloting and validation service of the EIAs
as well as the control of the implementation of the associated management plans remain low because of
the lack of human resources and limited technical and financial capabilities.
With respect to the programs and plans managed by NEPA, we include, among others, the Community-
Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) and the Green Afghanistan Initiative (GAIN), as well
as several projects implemented through specific coordination units in sectoral ministries and financed by
different donors. Some of these programs are improving the integration of the environment, by
strengthening environmental capacities (training of stakeholders, cross-sectoral pilot operations), such as
for example the project the joint poverty and environment (UNDP/UNEP), Capacity Strengthen for
Environmental Management, a multi-year program funded the European Commission (EC), the
Government of Finland, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) previously called the Ministry of
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food (MAAHF) has a mandate to promote agricultural development,
through helping farmers and managing natural resources such as water, soil and forests; strengthening the
agricultural economy through profitable new crops like saffron and better ways to grow traditional crops
using new dry-land farming techniques; and building cooperatives, Afghan agribusiness and exports with
our farm credit, land-leasing and other state-of-the-art advances.
Since its establishment, it has undergone many restructuring and changing of names and today, after the
government has defined a number of priorities for agricultural investments and policies under the
National Agricultural Development Framework (NADF), the Ministry of Agriculture has been
restructured and changed from MAAHF to MAIL. Currently the MAIL is the main provider of extension
and support services to the farming community, and promoting the adoption of research technologies to
48
increase production. The MAIL is newly restructured into a more decentralized setup, which includes the
Minister and three Deputy Ministers, aimed to improve interface with other stakeholders for more
effective and efficient service delivery. The new structure with ten (10) General Directorates among
which the General Directorate for Research and Extension, under the Deputy Technical Minister,
comprises of seven technical departments namely: Research, Extension, Horticulture, Home Economy,
Vegetables, Flower Growing, and Cereal and Industrial Crop Development, and a Directorate for each of
the seven agricultural regions (corresponding to Agro-ecological zones).
The agriculture extension system aims to increase the knowledge and skills of farmers through the
dissemination of improved agriculture technologies. It focuses mainly on crop improvement, Human
Resource Development and collaborative program with other government departments and Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGO). Staffed with more than 3,000 extension workers in the 1970s, the
extension services in Afghanistan today is a broken understaffed system, with two extension agents at
most per accessible district, and even none in the remote areas.
Since 2003, USAID has been providing assistance to deliver new technologies and information to farmers
and herders through its Rebuilding Agricultural Markets Program (RAMP), the Dairy Industry
Revitalization Project implemented by Land O’Lakes, the Participating Agency Services Agreement
(PASA) with USDA, and through grants to Central Asia Development Group (CADG). More recently,
extension related work is being supported through the Alternative Livelihoods Program (ALP) at the
provincial and district level. Although these activities have not directly targeted the capacity
strengthening needs of MAIL, they have worked directly with farmers through privately contracted
extension advisors, many of whom were previously employed by the MAIL.
On the research side, over the last decade, the Agricultural Research Institute of Afghanistan’s (ARIA)
research areas have focused on improvements in cereals production, grain legumes and oilseeds
improvement and development, horticulture production and post harvest management, cropping systems
and resource management, agro-forestry in production systems and agricultural engineering. It also
carries out socioeconomic assessment and study, supervise and control seed production in collaboration
with the other International Research Institutions.
The National Agricultural Research System (NARS) profits from various major scientific results,
borrowing broadly from innovations made in other countries. Collaborative relations are quite extensive,
particularly with institutions through externally supported projects (USAID, USDA, World Bank, FAO,
etc.); International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) of the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR), including ICARDA, ICRISAT, CIMMYT, IFPRI, etc.; Australian
Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); specialized regional programs such as Asia-
Pacific Association of Agricultural Research (APAARI), Regional Agricultural Research Station
(RARS), etc.
Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
Overall responsibility for rural livelihoods rests with this ministry. This includes a variety of activities
from provision of seeds and medicines, to the construction of clinics, schools and village roads, to the
management of village water supplies. The mandate of this ministry clearly overlaps with many other
ministries. Due to the broad mandate of this ministry, which clearly overlaps with many other ministries,
it works closely with a variety of UN agencies, in particular the UNDP Area Based Development
Program and did not have a Directorate responsible for the Environment matters. Since 2011, the
responsibilities of MRRD have been reviewed and Environment has been incorporated into the revised
MRRD Strategic Intent as an important cross-cutting issue requiring attention of all MRRD rural
49
development programs. This will enable MRRD to contribute to ANDS pillar 3 on environment and
natural resources management.
Ministry of Public Health
This ministry is divided into a preventative section and a treatment section. A Department of
Environmental Health was first established in 1976. This department addresses health issues related to
environmental pollution, such as air pollution-related diseases (respiratory infections, dust and smog),
water pollution and sanitation-related diseases (intestinal, cholera, diarrhea) and liquid and solid waste-
related diseases (infections, flies, rats, mosquitoes). In principle, the Department of Environmental
Health has an environmental monitoring responsibility. However, it is currently unable to perform this
function since laboratory facilities have been largely destroyed. The ministry is also responsible for the
clean-up of environmental contamination, food safety of both imported and manufactured foods, and
provision of environmental inspectors to cities. The WHO is assisting the Ministry of Public Health with
a variety of health-related activities.
Other Central Government Institutions with a role in the protection of the Environment include:
- Ministry of Energy and Water
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Information and Culture
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Higher Education
- Ministry of Mines and Industry
- Ministry of Frontiers and Tribal Affairs
- Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority
- Central Statistics Office
- Department of Meteorology,
- Ministry of Transportation
- Afghan Tourism Organization
3.3.2. Research Institutions and Non-governmental Actors
Kabul and regional universities have an important role to play in relation to training and research. Again,
capacities require strengthening through consistent and sustained support from international researchers,
as well as further training outside the country. Current courses offer Bachelor level training and demand
greatly exceeds capacity. Support is needed to improve both the quality and capacity of ongoing courses,
and to expand current portfolios to ensure the inclusion of Masters and research programs. This would
include the integration of climate change, Desertification, Rangelands and Water Resources, and
Biodiversity and conservation which are currently not covered in any great detail in the curriculum.
Many Non-Governmental actors, national and international, intervening in the area of environmental
conservation, protection and management are operating in Afghanistan since the fall o the Taliban and the
institution of the interim Government in Kabul in 2002. They strive to restore the badly degraded
environment and depleted natural resources by the decades of war, natural disasters (repeated droughts
and floods), and the anthropogenic activities for the quest of livelihood (economic reasons and fuel
wood). These phenomena have left and/or reduced the once Open woodland dominated by pistachios,
almonds and junipers occupied pistachio (in the Northern and western provinces) and other natural
50
evergreen forests especially in the eastern region of the country, to a denuded state favoring a rapid
advancement of desertification process.
During the period of conflict, many people with professional qualifications were removed from positions
of authority or excluded from participating in government. As a result many individuals remained active
by shifting into non-governmental organizations. Many NGOs, such as DACAAR (Danish Committee
for Aid to Afghan Refugees), MADERA (a European NGO), Afghan Aid, ARC (Afghan Relief
Committee), IRC (International Rescue Committee), AREA (Agency for Rehabilitation and Energy
Conservation in Afghanistan) and SEA (Save the Environment Afghanistan), have strong environmental
programs with high levels of training and competency for project implementation.
An umbrella organization known as ACBAR (Agency Coordinating Body for Afghanistan Refugee) was
established to coordinate NGO activities. It has established a resource and information centre which
collects and disseminates information to the UN, NGOs, donors and the Central Government. Although
many NGOs are trying to act in the interest of the environment, financial resources are often insufficient
to meet the vast needs. In addition, NGO activities, because of the lack of transparency in their actions,
are often discouraged in favor of government-led implementation.
3.3.3. Technical and Financial Partners
The serious degradation of the environment in Afghanistan is a strong concern and arresting and
reversing this environmental degradation should be a guiding principle underlying the reconstruction
programs. Many institutions, technical partners and donors are involved in the Environmental
management and protection through the funding of programs, studies and research activities that are
integrated into other sectors including Health, Water and Sanitation, Energy, Urban Development, Rural
Development (Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock), and Natural Resource Management. The most
prominent of these actors include: the World Bank (WB), the united States Agency for International
Development (USAID), the European Commission (EC), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the
Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Canadian Cooperation, the United Kingdom Department for
International Development (DFID), Australian Agency for International Development (AuAID), the
French Development Agency (FDA), the German Cooperation (GIZ), the World Food Program (WFP),
the Spanish Cooperation, the UN agencies (including UNDP/UNEP, FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, UNESCO,
UN Habitat’s program, UNOPS), and the Japanese International Cooperation Assistance (JICA), etc.
3.3.4. Framework for Cooperation and Exchange between the Environmental Actors
Through consultation and coordination mechanisms established between the technical and financial
partners, three thematic environment groups (Desertification, Rangelands and Water Resources;
Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness; and Biodiversity and Wetlands), funded by the Global
Environment facility (GEF), have been created and issued their reports by 2008. Other thematic groups
with linkages with the environment exist, particularly in the sectors of water, energy and mines.
Moreover, aware of issues related to the integration of the environment at the sectoral level, ministries
such as MAIL, MRRD, MoPH, MUDH, MEW, MMI, etc. have created internal cells within the
ministries, environmental services or focal points, according to the nature and the specific characteristics
of their missions.
The catalyst role of coordination and support council to be played by the NEPA has been put on track
these recent years with the creation of National Environment Advisory Council (NEAC) at the central
level on the one hand, and on the other hand the Provincial Environment Advisory Councils (PEACs)
with guideline developed and endorsed by NEPA. Provincial Environmental Advisory Councils (PEACs)
51
that include all relevant provincial services of the line ministries, plus the security department, are
established and functioning in 19 provinces to incorporate environment into provincial planning process.
In order to fill in the gaps at the local level, Environment sub-committees were created, piloted within 16
Community Development Councils (CDCs) and 8 District Development Assemblies (DDAs) in five
provinces to integrate environment into development plans.
These consultation structures, whose objective is to foster a collaborative planning, coordination, and a
close monitoring of the national guidelines relating to environmental issues, are functioning relatively
well, based on the capacity and the resources available to fulfill their missions. The lack of such
structures was a significant handicap and an impediment on the mainstreaming of environmental issues at
sectoral levels. Indeed, in the absence of environmental data and coordination actions, the ministries
concerned by the environment matters continue to work in isolation, without real consultation with other
key actors; what most often is translated by jurisdiction conflicts, a lack of synergy and harmonization in
the of programs’ implementation, monitoring and coordination.
3.3.5. Analysis of the Mainstreaming of Environment into Agricultural Policies
The above-mentioned elements show the remaining efforts to be done by NEPA and MAIL to bring
together all the conditions to mainstream the environment in general and the SEA procedures in particular
into agricultural sector policies.
Indeed, on an institutional level, the nature of NEPA, first a Directorate in the Ministry of Energy, Water
and Environment, then erected into a full-fledged Agency, though under the direct oversight of the
Presidency, does not confer enough powers vis-à-vis the other sectoral ministries. This configuration of
NEPA is a handicap in the exercise of its transversal role, aggravated by the absence of methodological
tools of integration and lack of technical expertise and financial capabilities required to adequately fulfill
its responsibility in the matter.
On the legal domain, some specific laws complementing the Environment Law as well as environmental
standards have not yet been issued of developed, and the control of the enforcement of the laws in the
field is almost non-existent. Weak intersectoral coordination and the lack of global vision of
environmental issues among the stakeholders are the basis of some inconsistencies and normative
contradictions observed here and there, such as the human settlement on agricultural land, encroachment
on rangelands for agricultural purposes, deforestation of sensitive and valuable areas for personal gains,
without prior consultation of technical services responsible for the Protection of Nature.
Finally, despite the assistance provided by UNEP in various programs among which the “Capacity and
Institution Building Program for Environmental Management”, the lack of analysis and management
capacity in cross-cutting environmental issues is one of the major constraints in environmental policy for
the initiation and application of SEA procedures in the agricultural sector in Afghanistan. Indeed, the
current national capabilities are very low (human resources, skills and technical means, methodology,
data analysis, etc.) in several sectoral areas (including MAIL), particularly in terms of Strategic
Environmental Assessment, monitoring/control, application of mitigation measures proposed in the
ESMF, environmental education, development and implementation of economic tools linking the
environment, economic development and the poverty alleviation.
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3.4. Analysis of Constraints to Mainstream SEA into Environmental Governance
Instruments
3.4.1. Constraints for Mainstreaming SEA in the Policy Instruments
The issues of mainstreaming the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) into national planning
processes should be defined through the various linkages that exist between economic growth, the
poverty reduction and the environmental preservation of the in Afghanistan.
The examination of the state of implementation of agricultural policies and related programs showed that
the agricultural policies adopted by Afghanistan have rather encouraged the economic and social
development and are not sufficiently taking into account the linkages between the environment, poverty
and sustainable development. Strengthening these linkages, which should be at the heart of the strategic
directions of the environmental policy of Afghanistan, would have the advantage of reversing
environmental degradation trends, while contributing to improving environmental governance and the
subsequent legal instruments.
If agricultural policy recently approved by the Government of Afghanistan, combined with the induced
effects of conditionality imposed by the TFP, contributed to the knowledge, as a whole, of environmental
issues and sustainability, there is no doubt that these concerns are not properly incorporated in the overall
policy and various agricultural programs engaged undertaken in MAIL, and should be considered during
the implementation of NHLP.
Moreover, it is also essential to affirm a strong commitment and set a clear direction in all government’s
technical ministries, and MAIL in particular, to take into account the integration of the SEA at different
levels. This approach would have to publicize this commitment and establish a clear strategy with
concrete resulting actions, commitment to be taken at the highest level of the MAIL, in this case.
The following table summarizes the level of integration of the environment in environmental policies in
Afghanistan and weaknesses concerning the taking into account of the Strategic Environmental
Assessment in the governance instruments in force.
Table 4: Level of Integration of the Environment and SEA in the Strategic Guidance Documents
Good governance
and Environmental
Repositories
Level of Integration of the Environment and SEA in the Strategic Guidance Documents
ANDS NSSD Decentralization RPPR
1. Integration of
environmental
issues in the SEA
planning in NHLP
Environmental
issues addressed in
the vision 2015
Environmental
issues apprehended
by 2015 in line with
the MDGs
Non-consideration of
environmental issues
in local planning of
NHLP
Very low
consideration of
environmental
issues in NHLP
2. Integration of the
participatory
approach and the
public consultation
during NHLP’s SEA
Low public and civil
society participation
in the development
of policies of NHLP
Taking into account
the environmental
dimension by giving
all stakeholders an
important place, but
implementation of
SEA remains shy
No direction is set to
reinforce the role of the
public and the actors of
civil society since the
current conflict
situation significantly
affects decentralization
reforms
Enough
participatory
approach involving
local stakeholders in
the planning NHLP
3. Integration of SEA
in policy instruments
of NHLP
Non-consideration
of SEA in the NHLP
planning, since this
Non-consideration
of SEA in the
NHLP’s strategy
Non-consideration of
SEA in the
decentralized
Non-consideration
of SEA in regional
programs of NHLP
53
instrument is not
known and new
community planning
for NHLP
4. Taking account of
the environment in
budget allocations in
NHLP
- Strong involvement
of TFP in the support
and the strengthening
of institutional
capacity
- Low contribution
of the State in the
environment sector
Low resources
allocated to the
environment in
budget allocations
- substantial technical
and financial support
generated by NGOs
- Low contribution of
the State to the local
level
Non-consideration
of the environment
in budget allocations
3.4.2. Constraints to Implementing Coherent Environmental Policy in the NHLP
Consistency in the implementation of environmental policy between NEPA as a supervisory
environmental body and MAIL (program sponsor) takes place in a context of agricultural specialization
and separate responsibilities. Indeed, these different government institutions work in a compartmentalized
manner, technical services do not necessarily share the same goals and interests are sometimes
contradictory. Several factors are at the base of this inconsistency such as inter-ministerial constraints for
the reconciliation of environmental issues and the introduction of SEA in the NHLP (horticulture and
livestock) development, etc.
One of the NHLP factors being the agricultural specialization, the MAIL has tended to defend its own
priorities and its area of expertise, sometimes against the guidelines concerning the preservation of the
environment and the protection of sensitive areas. For example, one can include the inconsistency
between some livestock development policy guidelines (as the growth of the herd due to provision of
abundant incentives, the creation of the pastoral hydraulic infrastructure, etc.) which do not take into
account environmental impacts (rangeland degradation due to resulting in overgrazing) on the fragile
agro-ecological zones in terms of feed capacity of the pasture and the efficient use of water resources.
This situation underlines not only problems of consistency between the two policy options (preservation
of natural resources and the environment vs. Livestock development), but also the need to consider the
integration of environmental issues in a broader context so that they are effectively addressed in the
comprehensive planning. The management of these issues requires an organizational effort that goes
beyond the traditional definition of the sectoral areas of action, within the limits of the powers of MAIL.
MAIL and NEPA shall work in close collaboration, to reconcile their specific missions with strategic
directions regarding the preservation of the environment and protection of natural resources, and
agricultural production and productivity.
3.4.3. Constraints Related to the Incompleteness of Legislative Instruments and Environmental
Governance
The analysis of the evolution of the regulatory and legislative framework on the environment in
Afghanistan demonstrates willingness to adaptation of the governance instruments, based on the
appearance of environmental problems, external pressures and the conditionality of access to some
financing.
Despite this commitment, it is noted that the legislative and regulatory framework in Afghanistan is
characterized by the incompleteness of some texts, their non-effective implementation on the ground.
Low extension of the relevant legislative instruments from stakeholders, the ignorance of the provisions
related to certain international agreements, overlaps, contradictions and inconsistencies between some
54
regulations, nepotism and security are some of the constraints that are blocking the application and
enforcement of environmental management tools.
3.4.4. Constraints Related to the Weakness and the Non-application of the Legislation on EIA
The Environment group of the technical and financial partners (TFP), including the UNDP/UNEP, is
interested in the environmental assessment in Afghanistan for several years now but no SEA has been
funded so far in any sectors, especially in agriculture. To date the TFP have not carried out work and
workshops on how to enable various actors (private, public, representatives of organizations of civil
society) to diagnose the reasons and deficiencies in the non-application of the environmental legislation
in Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, even if the political commitment of Afghanistan for the environmental preservation is
strongly stated in recent years, it is clear that legal instruments underlying this will suffer from some
weaknesses which constitute handicaps for the introduction of SEA in the agricultural development, and
NHLP will be no exception.
The 2005 Environment Act and Government of Afghanistan 2007Administrative Guideline on
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance are the only legal instruments in force in Afghanistan that
refer to environmental assessment. Analysis of the provisions of this Law and ordinance revealed certain
weaknesses, among which:
- the lack of rigor in the application and monitoring of the EIA procedures.
- the lack of monitoring of the environmental and Social Management Plan.
- the weakness of human and technical capacity for the implementation of the EIA.
- the lack of ownership of the EIA process by sectoral actors.
- a waiver of the EIA process across subjected projects.
3.4.5. Constraints Related to the Inadequacy of the Institutional Framework in Steering SEA
Procedures
In General, it was found that in Afghanistan the environment is suffering from the fact that this sector
constitutes a new field in the government institutional structure and, as a result, none of the common
features that classically allow in characterizing the sectoral policies is still to be in this area. This situation
resulted in constraints on the political and institutional levels characterized by: (i) a lack of leadership in
NEPA with multitudes involved actors, (ii) skills overlap, (iii) a low participation of the civil society and
the private sector. The recent evolution of the institutional framework adopted by the Government of
Afghanistan, in recent years, in the environment sector, constitutes an orientation landmark to address the
effective coordination of the environmental actions.
The overlapping jurisdictions which still exist between the different stakeholders and players in the
agricultural sector, the lack of effective coordination mechanisms between the technical services at
different levels of administration, the dispersal of the expertise are constraints and major obstacles to the
coherent integration of the environment and SEA in the different agricultural sector policies. The
separation of responsibilities between institutional structures is also a significant issue, since a number of
sectoral ministries are also responsible for an aspect of the problem related to environmental issues, but
none of them is responsible of all of its aspects. One therefore understands that the coordination aspects
can only be hindered in such a situation.
55
The debate on the environment in general and the introduction of SEA in particular, involves conflicting
interests between different subsectors; we therefore understand that cooperation and exchange between
the actors are a key element for the success for the process and decision-making at the strategic level.
To remove the institutional constraints and achieve better coordination of policies, it is important that the
sustained institutional adaptation efforts are undertaken at the level of the key ministries (MAIL, MRRD,
MEW, MoPH, ect.) to clarify and to define the responsibilities of each of the actors at different levels of
the SEA process.
The table below provides the synthesis of the constraints related to the coordination framework for the
SEA process.
Tableau 5: Synthesis of Constraints for the Integration of SEA in MAIL
Institutional Structures (Statehood) Synthesis of Constraints for the Integration of SEA
in Agricultural Sector (according to stakeholders
survey results)
- Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
- Non-consideration of SEA in agricultural plans and
programs
- Lack of sectoral guides including the preservation of
the environment and agricultural sector development
programs
- Weakness of the human and material resources in
relation to the environmental aspects generated by
agricultural sector development
- Lack of experienced human resources for the taking
into account of environmental plans and programs
initiated in agricultural sector development
- Absence of a training and development mechanism
for personnel on economic and environmental issues
in agricultural sector development
- Absence of a communication and consultation
strategy with other ministries and sectoral
stakeholders on environmental issues relating to
agricultural sector development
- General Directorate, Implementation & Coordination
- General Directorate for Land Management
- General Directorate for Agriculture Service
- General Directorate for Livestock and Animal Health
- General Directorate for Research and Extension
- General Directorate for Natural Resources
Management
- General Directorate for Policy and Planning
- Mechanisms of monitoring-evaluation less developed
and almost non-existent assessments or had hoc on
programs running in agricultural sector development
- Non-application of the legislation on EIA
- Non-existence of the formal legislation relating to the
application of pesticides and other phytosanitary
products
- Non-application of the legislation relating to the
preservation of biodiversity and natural resources
- Inability to measure the effects on the environment
which are due to Moroccan locust treatment
- Insufficiency in laboratory equipment for plant
protection and phytosanitary control
- Absence of a communication and consultation
strategy with other stakeholders on environmental
issues
- Absence of complete and reliable data on the
situation of livestock and pasturelands
56
- Weakness of human capabilities that can intervene in
the development of TORs and analysis of EIA reports
- A lack of reliable statistics on the issues and
environmental indicators related to agriculture,
livestock farming and water sector
- Lack of knowledge of the SEA and EIA procedures
by the sectoral technical services
- Non-application of the legislation relating to the
preservation of biodiversity and natural resources for
the planning of transhumance routes and pastoral
hydraulic campaigns
- Inability to measure the environmental effects due to
the transhumance of herds and the settling of Kuchi
herders
- Failure to integrate the development plans of the
pastoral wells based on the forage capacity and water
potential of the pastoral areas
- Pastoral extension insufficient
- Absence of a national agricultural and veterinary
research plan consistent with the preservation of
protected areas
- Nursery Growers Association
- Poultry Farmers Association of Afghanistan
- Fishery Farming Association
- Fruit Growers Association
- Water Users Association (MIRAB)
- Farmers Association
- Non-application of the legislation on EIA
- Non-application of the legislation relating to the
preservation of biodiversity and natural resources for
the planning of transhumance routes and pastoral
hydraulic campaigns
- Inability to measure environmental effects due to the
traditional practices of transhumance and the settling
of the herd
- Lack of reliable statistics on the environmental issues
and indicators related to livestock
- Lack of sufficient pastoral extension
- Lack of a communication and consultation strategy
with other stakeholders on environmental issues
affecting the livestock sector
- Lack of knowledge of the SEA and EIA procedures
by the livestock husbandry technical services
- Lack of sufficient financial resources (no subsidy/
grant received for years)
- Lack of guidance to producers and community groups
- Absence of a formalized consultation framework with
the Ministry and the technical and financial partners
- Lack of public awareness and information to farmers
on environmental issues related to the sector
- Failure to take into account the associative structures
in development assistance programs
- Failure to take into account the place of civil society
in policy and development projects
This synthesis is made on the basis of consultation of structures and stakeholders who have formulated
recommendations.
3.4.6. Constraints Related to Dialogue Deficit between Stakeholders Involved in the SEA Process
57
The introduction of the SEA in agricultural sector development requires coordination between public
actors, civil society, the private sector and stakeholders of development, but also at the local level, with
local communities and stakeholders at the base. Indeed, all the structures put in place (NEAC, PEAC,
DDA, CDC) have shown their limits and deserve to be consolidated, both in their missions as well as in
their composition, in order to take into account of the requirements of coordination and monitoring and
evaluation of all of the SEA process.
The establishment of formalized coordination procedures becomes a necessity to ensure the execution,
the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of SEA in the agricultural development in
Afghanistan. The institutional arrangements proposed in the ESMF of NHLP meet this concern. This
structure, which must be specialized in the SEA process, can serve as the interface for the extension and
dissemination of the SEA from the MAIL to other players involved in the strategic choices in
environmental matter and tools related to the development NHLP.
3.4.7. Constraints Related to the Lack of Technical Expertise in SEA
The Expertise in the field of the SEA is very low or non-existent in Afghanistan, and the analysis of
human capacities for SEA highlights some weaknesses, among which:
(i) The lack of information, for policy-makers and government officials in charge of
environmental issues in NEPA and MAIL, on the potential importance of SEA in the direction
of policies, plans and programs.
(ii) Very limited experience, for government institutions (NEPA, MAIL) and community groups,
for the systematic use of decision-making tools such as SEAs and EIAs.
(iii) The dispersion between the different sectoral ministries (MAIL, MRRD, MEW) of certain
skills able to intervene effectively at certain stages of the SEA process.
(iv) lack of methodological tools and/or guidelines to carryout the integration of the environment
and SEA in policies, plans and programs, the weakness of technical expertise in many
agricultural sub-sectors (horticulture, livestock, irrigation, etc.), the lack of environmental and
performance indicators in the design of strategic policies, plans and programs, and the lack of
environmental data and reliable economic and accounting tools.
(v) The absence of training plans incorporating the SEA theme and the low level of partnership
with research institutions and specialized training centers in these fields.
The SEA is an approach based on the mainstreaming of the sectoral aspects, the introduction of this
procedure in agricultural development in Afghanistan will necessarily require a national and/or local
expertise, able to make the connection with the other related approaches of assessment and analysis of the
impacts and issues in different areas during NHLP implementation.
If the development of human capacity is a necessary condition in order to apply a SEA efficiently,
learning about procedures and stages of SEA by MAIL elites will develop environmental performance
and make strategic development choices or investment, by facilitating the decision-making related to the
development of NHLP in MAIL. It is possible to largely correct these deficiencies by developing
capacities related to the SEAs, a recommendation is made in this sense in the environmental and social
management Framework, with regard to agricultural sector development.
58
3.4.8. Constraints Related to the Weaknesses of Financial Capacity
In Afghanistan, the issues relating to the environment have not yet sufficient priority to the level of
budgetary arbitration. The environment sector suffers from insufficiency of budget allocation, reflecting
the level of priority given to the environment though there is a specialized environmental agency, NEPA,
which is directly under the oversight of the Cabinet of the President. The non-appropriation of
environmental issues by key actors and their low financial mobilization capacity, almost systematic
recourse to FTP for the environmental programs financing, translate how deficient the sector remains in
terms of financial mobilization.
The examination of the budgetary allocations to the sector of the environment (NEPA) over the past five
years shows that the support by the Government of IRA to NEPA does (not exceed 2%). This is a signal
displayed by the Government to this problem and which remains well below the environmental issues and
needs faced by Afghanistan to achieve the set objective. This situation leaves the management of
environmental policy to almost totally dependent on external financing.
Finally, the non implementation of the Environment Intervention Fund (EIF), whose objective is the
financing of the protection and restoration activities associated to the consequences of environmental
degradation of different activities (including agriculture subsectors), penalizes the mobilization policy of
funds planned for the environment sector.
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PART 4: IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF ISSUES FOR THE
INTEGRATION OF SEA IN THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURE &
LIVESTOCK PROJECT (NHLP) IN AFGHANISTAN
The Agriculture Policies and strategies give guidelines for food self-sufficiency, the promotion and
development of sustainable agriculture (field crops, horticulture crops, and livestock) as well as the
rationalization and integrated use of the resources. Despite this willingness to integrate the protection of
the environment and the poverty alleviation in the targeted subsectors, it is found that the application of
these guidelines is not always effective on the ground.
So, this topic will focus on how to define and maintain consistency of issues related to the development
of the horticulture and livestock subsectors in the agricultural sector, to promote and ensure a rational
exploitation of available resources without irreversible environmental and health damage.
4.1. Issues Related to the Development of Agriculture and the Integration of SEA
The agricultural sector (including horticulture, irrigation, livestock, etc.) is a vital area for the economy of
Afghanistan, both from the plant and animal production point of view and the creation of associated
direct jobs. Livestock in Afghanistan, despite its vulnerability to climate hazards, plays an essential role
in support of the national economy.
However, the consistency of the strategic axes covered by Afghanistan in its rural development sector
policy, in relation with the preservation of the environment, raises issues that must be taken into account
to ensure a better integration of SEA in different aspects related to livestock farming and horticulture crop
production. The achievement of the objectives of the food self-sufficiency strategy adopted by
Afghanistan necessarily passes by the agro-sylvo-pastoral productivity improvement and the
implementation of concrete actions, to support this strategy over the long-term.
The agricultural sector in Afghanistan is limited by the lack of arable land, and its dependence on erratic
rainfall, the weather and the availability of fodder and water resources; one can expect that the increase in
the agricultural sector development be accompanied by:
i) the clearing of forest areas for cropping purposes, which can result in the destruction of
vegetation and ecosystems constituting ecological habitat of wildlife fauna.
ii) the transition from a pastoral nomadic management mode based on the extensive use of the
space, to a settling one strongly consuming water and vegetation, associated with a continuous
growth of the herd.
iii) an important imbalance between animal load and feed availability, especially around water
points close to the areas of cultivation.
iv) a marked trend to settlement around water points that can promote the onset of intensive
operating modes and overgrazing, particularly in periods of precipitation deficit.
v) use of pesticides, phytosanitary products, fertilizer and other chemical inputs necessary for the
improvement of agricultural production.
vi) the deficit in irrigation water, previously existing irrigation systems have been damaged or
destroyed by the war, and have become unusable due to abandonment.
vii) the development of irrigated agriculture that can promote waterlogging and salinization of
soils, the proliferation of invasive aquatic plants (IAP) and the development of water-borne
diseases (Malaria, Bilharzia, etc.);
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viii) enhanced demographic pressure and difficulties of access to productive land, which can result
in conflicts between farmers and herders.
ix) Encroachment on rangeland for cropping purposes resulting in an acceleration of land
degradation through water and wind erosion.
In summary, one will include consideration of the agricultural development issues and the integration of
SEA into agricultural development policies to provide guidance on good practices for the development of
NHLP (horticulture and livestock). These aspects will be discussed in detail in the Environmental and
Social Management framework.
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PART 5: IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS ASSOCIATED
WITH THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PROJECT
The evaluation of the specific impacts associated with the development of National Horticulture and
Livestock Project (NHLP) in Afghanistan is an important step in the procedures of implementation and of
execution of the SEA, through a crossed combination of environmental, social and economic issues,
integrating planned or ongoing strategies, targeted by the country in the ANDS to achieve the objectives
of poverty alleviation, sustainable development and of preservation of the environment.
The analysis was performed based on the identification of potential negative impacts, so as to identify the
most appropriate mitigation measures that will be implemented in the ESMP, applicable to the
development of NHLP. The analysis was conducted in coherence with the environmental safeguards
policies and procedures of the World Bank and the OECD, including the use of Afghanistan’s provisions
of the legislation on EIA, in the absence of the policies on SEA.
The sections below deal with potential impacts of NHLP and all of the actions and recommendations
relating to the ESMF applicable to the Afghan agricultural sector development in general, and to its
horticulture and livestock subsectors in particular.
5.1. Analysis of Impacts Related to Agricultural Sector (Horticulture and Livestock)
Programs
The project (National Horticulture and Livestock Project- NHLP) objective aims to stimulate
marketable output of perennial horticulture and livestock in focus areas by: (i) improving the incentives
framework for private investments; and (ii) strengthening institutional capacity in agriculture. The project
is designed as the first stage in a program that will unfold over the coming decade to support the
horticulture and livestock subsectors nationwide. The program has been designed in collaboration with
other donors (GIZ for technical assistance) under the umbrella of the MA1 Master Plan, with the
expectation of obtaining additional financing and adopting common approaches and procedures for
implementation.
The Objectives of the NHLP Strategic Environmental Assessment are to: (i) integrate the goals of
environmental management and sustainability as well as avoiding potential risks at the earliest stages of
the project planning and designing; (ii) ensure that the government decisions, policies, plans and
programs in horticulture and livestock which could have significant direct and indirect effects on the
country’s natural resources and human and community health are subjected to proper environmental
assessment; and (iii) ensure that the program objectives and alternative means of achieving them are
identified and measures for avoidance, mitigation and compensation of any potential adverse
environmental consequences are adopted.
Agriculture Master Plan
The Agriculture Master Plan was endorsed by the Economic Subcommittee of the Cabinet of the
Government of Afghanistan (GOA) in May 2006 as a comprehensive development blueprint for the
sector that identifies priorities for investment.
The government of Afghanistan recognizes that a balanced rural development strategy requires attention
to a number of crosscutting issues. In the Master Plan, the interventions associated with the integration of
these issues are clearly visible in the strategies to address the commodity sub-sector priorities. These
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cross-cutting themes include: (a) management of natural resources, (b) research and extension, (c) farmer
associations and community participation, (d) rural finance, and (e) gender.
The Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) is responsible for implementing the Plan.
With limited technical capacity however, the Ministry will require substantial staff training as well as
technical assistance to fill the gap. The Master Plan allocates resources for (i) training for the next
generation of Afghan agriculturists; (ii) providing technical assistance for policy formulation and
planning; (iii) building regulatory mechanisms; and (iv) improving the enabling environment for private
sector growth and investment. Donors and multilateral institutions agree that the Master Plan is both
ambitious in its goals and realistic in its approach.
The World Bank is supporting MAIL efforts with three projects the Horticulture and Livestock Project
(HLP), the On Farm Water Management Project (OFWP) and the Improving Agricultural Inputs Delivery
System (IAIDS) project in its agricultural development efforts for self-sufficiency in food production as
well as for export for the country’s income in hard currencies.
The proposed NHLP would build on the achievements made and the good performance of its
predecessor, the current HLP. However the main thrust of activities would be centered in effectively
moving out of an emergency phase and into a development one. In light of this, special focus would
be given to the deployment of more efficient and sustainable service delivery systems, based on
increased participation and ownership of project activities by the main stakeholders at the local
level, including community lead farmers and local public and private-sector extension agents. This would
be key to the post-project continuity of the extension effort, thus its sustainability. In addition, as opposed
to blanket beneficiary group formation and support supply, support would only be delivered on demand
from, and with simultaneous strong financial commitment of, project beneficiaries. All in all, it is
expected that this approach would build a more robust and sustainable development platform, promote
increased effectiveness of support, decrease aid dependency, and put all stakeholders in a better track
towards achievement of their own goals, as well as a better position to receive further technical assistance
and support as required by their true and felt longer term development needs.
Overall, key aspects of building on HLP’s experience relevant to environmental issues include: (i) need
of enhanced coordination and consistency with other rural-focused programs; (ii) enhanced targeting and
continued support to IPM approach; (iii) Mainstreaming OHS/EHS Guidelines and principles into project
activities; (iv) the a clear exit strategy within a long term development view, aiming at increased
stakeholder ownership leading to improved quality and sustainability of the activities supported.
Total project cost over six years would be US$ 120 million, including a US$ 20 million contribution from
beneficiaries, The project development objective would be to assist in the national rollout of a
sustainable rural development service delivery system to specifically increase the adoption of improved
horticulture and livestock production practices. This objective would be achieved by implementing
efficient and effective horticulture and livestock extension service models at district and village levels
and by increasing MAIL capacity and ownership in their delivery. If this goal is achieved, the proposed
project would increase production and productivity of marketable horticulture products and improve
animal health and productivity while helping put in place better service delivery systems.
NHLP would have three project components: (a) Horticulture, (b) Livestock, and (c) Project Management
and implementation. The implementation would be decentralized with delegated authority to regional
MAIL offices. Activities are detailed below.
The project design structure consists of three (03) components:
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Component A. Horticulture. This sub-component would have the objective of building the capacity of
MAIL to implement more sustainable and efficient service delivery for improved crop productivity and
production in Afghanistan. To this end, the component would support three sub-components: (i) Social
Mobilization and Horticulture Extension, (ii) Technical Assistance, and (iii) Investment Support
(matching grant). NHLP would continue to provide both male and female farmers with extension services
through farmer field schools (FFS). The project would engage Community Development Councils
(CDCs) in identifying lead farmers, who would be trained and deliver FFS at village level. Group
mobilization would be demand-driven. Common interest groups (CIGs) would be formed on demand at
village level, and aggregated into produce marketing organizations (PMOs) at cluster level. The extension
training would also be provided to public-sector extension workers at the District Department of
Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (DAIL) to enhance its capacities.
Technical assistance would be provided to farmers both individually and in groups, on subjects such as
orchard management, on-farm water management, integrated pest management (IPM), and marketing.
Through the Investment Support subcomponent, orchard management would establish approximately
7,000 ha of new orchards on a 50 percent contribution basis. In enabling farmers’ access to water in their
orchards, there would be technical coordination with the ARTF-financed On-farm Water Management
Project (OFWM) to complement activities. IPM would assist MAIL’s Plant Protection and Quarantine
Department (PPQD) in developing curricula and mainstreaming of IPM in MAIL projects. The marketing
activities would target farmers, processors and traders, to support them on issues of post-harvest
handling, quality control, and market linkages.
The investment support would also provide matching grants to PMOs in establishing Farmer Service
Centers (FSCs) at district level on demand and at a minimum 50 percent farmer contribution basis. FSCs
would provide collection and processing facilities, ground storage, input supply, and market intelligence.
NHLP would support PMOs to develop business plans for the FSCs, including operation and
maintenance plans. CIGs would also be able to access investment support for setting up processing sheds
and storage facilities at village level.
Component B. Livestock. This sub-component would have the objective of building the capacity of
MAIL to implement more sustainable and efficient service delivery for improved animal health and
livestock productivity and production. There would be three activities under this component: (a) Animal
Health with a focus on Brucellosis Control, (b) Livestock Extension including poultry husbandry, and (c)
a Sheep Sector study. There are about 1,200 Veterinary Field Units (VFUs) throughout Afghanistan,
staffed by para-vets engaged in private practices. HLP supported the privatization of 120 VFUs, while the
EU-financed Animal Health Disease Project (AHDP) did the others. As a next step, the livestock
component would support an expansion of public-private-partnerships in service delivery by
strengthening VFUs in supporting MAIL to address public goods aspects under its sanitary mandate, and
in providing extension services related to animal health and production to female and male livestock
owners.
Based on the characteristics of the specific geographical areas defined for the rollout of the services,
NHLP would design and implement a brucellosis surveillance and vaccination campaign under MAIL’s
sanitary mandate. In addition, VFUs staff would be trained to provide extension services on animal health
and production. In ensuring access by women to these services, NHLP would retain 25 female livestock
extension workers under HLP and train female lead farmers at village level. Similar to the capacity
building envisioned as part of the Horticulture Component, NHLP would strengthen DAIL capacity in
service delivery by training DAIL livestock extension workers and engaging them in service delivery.
NHLP would also support women’s poultry husbandry by setting up small poultry units as a pro-poor
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contribution to food security. In addition, the project may pilot commercial poultry sector development.
The livestock component would also finance a sheep sector study, to identify alternative winter feeding
practices for small ruminants owned by Kuchi (nomadic populations).
Component C. Project management. This would support MAIL’s management of implementation, in
particular, decentralized project implementation at regional level. NHLP implementation would be
channeled through four regional offices, staffed by a regional manager and specialists in horticulture
(extension delivery, IPM, water harvesting, intercrops, kitchen gardening, harvesting, and post-
harvesting), marketing, sound social mobilization, livestock, Gender and M&E. Activities of these
regional offices would be coordinated by the central Project Implementation Unit within MAIL. It is
anticipated that MAIL would directly hire key international consultants to provide technical support and
exposure to innovation as required by the different components’ activities. Project management would
also be in charge of coordinating and effecting project communication and dissemination, and would
have overall responsibility for gender, safeguards compliance, procurement and financial management.
The analysis of the potential risk factors related to NHLP development objective has three main
categories of potential impacts which can be summarized as follows:
- the clearing of forest for the development of new orchards (loss of biodiversity, wildlife habitats
and rangeland, etc.);
- the horticultural production systems and the pastoral practices;
- the health and socio-economic environments related to agricultural technology developments.
This section discusses in detail the potential NHLP impacts (positive and adverse) which must be taken
into account in the Environmental and Social Management Framework.
5.1.1. Potential Positive Environmental Impacts of NHLP
a. Impacts associated with promotion of sustainable horticulture and livestock production
technologies
The NHLP will contribute to the utilization of sustainable horticulture and livestock production
technologies that protect the environment. It will support the ecologically and socially sustainable
agricultural practices by encouraging the use of IPM and SLM techniques that favor sound management
and sustainable applications of agrochemicals (pesticides and inorganic fertilizers). In addition, the NHLP
will encourage the development partnership between ARIA, Universities, public extension services and
the communities and other stakeholders to achieve the development objectives of the project.
b. Impacts associated with support to producer organizations in using sound production techniques
The extension of new production techniques in horticulture and livestock will contribute to the
optimization of yields without increase in cultivated surface areas, favoring thus the conservation of
forest areas. The optimization of yields (through modern farming systems techniques) will thus lead to
the establishment of conservation techniques for a longer period of time for a better processing and
commercialization.
c. Impacts associated with support to the financing of agricultural inputs during subprojects
implementation
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The use of agricultural inputs while necessary for better yields could also lead to environmental pollution
(there is a risk of ground water pollution by some chemical residues) and consequently, contaminate the
humans and animals by drinking and using the contaminated waters.
d. Impacts associated with improved agricultural technologies
The dissemination of all the irrigation and water distribution methods in cultivated plots will help to
better manage the water and soil resources by limiting their overexploitation and degradation. Adopting a
policy that supports drip and sprinkle irrigation would save water particularly groundwater use and will
benefit the environment by recharging the aquifer. Also, the propagation of drought resistant fruits crop
varieties as planting material in orchards would save water and thus will benefit water saving and
improve the environment.
e. Impacts associated with Pastoral Practices and poultry husbandry
Improvement of livestock (sheep, goats, etc.) will improve the food security situation (meat, milk) as well
as for monetary needs (live animal and meat sales, skins, wools, etc.) of the rural households. Also, the
production of poultry husbandry is primarily a women’s activity, so that the groups formed for training
and organizing distribution and sales served as a vehicle for targeting women with livestock. There have
also been some undoubted successes and poultry raisers (perhaps the more well-off households) have
maintained and expanded their flocks, producing eggs for sale and for household consumption.
f. Impacts associated with measures of institutional development
The strengthening of environmental science specialists will allow ensure that the environmental aspects
will be integrated in technological packages to be developed during the implementation in the field. In
addition, the strengthening of research activities and the development of techniques to value the
horticultural and livestock by-products will lead to the regeneration of soils and reduction of chemical
fertilizer uses, while the strengthening of the administrative capacities of MAIL will allow a better
coordination among the different department of MAIL
5.1.2. Potential Negative Environmental Impacts of NHLP
a. Impacts Associated with Hydro-Agricultural Infrastructure
The construction of new hydro-agricultural facilities (irrigation network systems and retention dams) or
the rehabilitation of existing ones for provision of irrigation water to orchards in arid areas can lead to
negative impacts and results in the relocation of activities that were carried out on these spaces.
The creation of new irrigated perimeters will require the clearing and deforestation work, which can lead
to: (i) potential population displacements, loss of land, expropriations; (ii) socio-economic problems on
certain vulnerable groups living in the area of direct influence of development programs; (iii)
disturbances on natural habitats and biodiversity; (iv) loss of pasture and conflicts between pastoralists
and farmers.
The construction of other types of infrastructure under the implementation NHLP could concern facilities
such as bonded warehouses, storages, silos, industrial agro-processing units, herd standings,
slaughterhouses, etc. These infrastructures could generate other impacts, such as dust emissions and
noise, air pollution (smell), or occupy land surfaces that could no longer be exploited by the local people.
b. Impacts Associated with Hydro-agricultural infrastructure
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Hydro-agricultural infrastructure developments, even if they are necessary for agricultural development,
will contribute to the destruction of natural habitats and promote the proliferation of water-borne
diseases.
Indeed, in areas where water is permanently found, one could witness the prevalence of water-borne
diseases such as Malaria, Bilharzias, Schistosomiasis, Diarrhea, etc. The installation of irrigation canals
and agricultural water traps create multitudes of habitats that favor the proliferation of insects and
mollusks, vectors and intermediate hosts of various parasitic diseases and the best-known are: malaria,
filariasis, intestinal and Genito-urinary diseases, schistosomiasis, etc.
The table below gives the directory of diseases related to water, their mode of transmission as well as the
prevention strategy to be adopted in the framework of the implementation of agricultural development
programs.
Table 6: Compendium of Recurrent Water-borne Diseases in Irrigated Agriculture
Transmission Mode Potential Risks Prevention Strategy
Transmitted by
drinking water
Classic Typhoid fever ,
cholera Improve the water quality
Avoid the occasional use of non-
improved water sources Non Classic Epatitis
Direct
contamination
Diarrheas Amoeba Dysentery Increase the amount of water used
Improve access and the security of
supply Skin and Eye Infections scabies, trachoma
Based in water By contact Schistosomiasis Reduce the need for contact with
infected water
The feco-urinary pollution of
surface waters
Control the mollusks and the
Cyclops
By contact Bilharzias
Transmitted by
insects related to
water
Living near the water Trypanozomiasis Improve the management of
surface water
Destroy and/or avoid the
appropriate nesting places, reduce
contact with the exposed places
Use of bed nets
Developing in water
Malaria
Leischmania
c. Impacts Associated with Production Systems and Agricultural Intensification:
The increase in horticultural production requires intensification techniques that pass through the effective
control of enemies (pests) of crops and the use of agrochemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) in the
orchards. The use of pesticides and other chemicals is a significant risk factor in both horticulture
(human) and livestock.
Given the drastic climatic conditions and the state of soils in Afghanistan, one could expect that the
development of agricultural programs (such as horticulture) induces an increase in the use of pesticides,
which may constitute risk factors leading to accidents and poisoning in the populations, either by their
direct use (sprinkling, spraying), bad storage, or indirectly by the empty containers and packaging re-use.
The use of pesticides in horticulture is never without risk to the health of populations, as exposure to
pesticides can occur during work time (necessity of wearing gears during pesticide applications), or
through the contamination of the environment or food (residues in water or in agricultural produce
requiring the establishment of residue analysis laboratories). The people most vulnerable to pesticides are
generally farmers and pesticide applicators who for the most part, lack of appropriate protective
equipment. The policy of giving good inputs, agrochemicals and etc to the lead farmers that will improve
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production while the market is full of all sorts of bad agrochemicals will instigate the use of bad quality
pesticides available in the market. This requires a strict legislation and control enforcement throughout
the NHLP implementation period
Adopting a strict policy of IPM approach and dedicating more resources to it as well as planning and
establishing more centers for testing pesticides residues will raise awareness and will help reduced
excessive use of pesticides.
The repeated use of an active substance for orchards protection may result in the appearance of resistance
phenomena in pests, non-specific control methods are likely to curb the spread of the pest but, at the same
time affect involuntarily a large number of beneficial non-target organisms. The crop pests are thus likely
to spread more quickly and require additional treatments with negative impacts on the global ecosystem.
We understand that in the absence of a real integrated pests control program, the increase in horticultural
production with the onset of NHLP will result in increased use of chemical pesticides, which impacts on
the environment are not without dangers. Indeed, these pesticides and various toxic residues can be
mediated by water and accumulate preferentially in the water bodies, leading to a deterioration in their
quality and their progressive eutrophication. Moreover, the application of these products, which can
affect the plants and herbs, also constitutes animal health risk factors.
The development of the horticulture component in NHLP must target the option of sustainable agriculture
which must focus on the prevention of the destruction of the soil, land and waters while maintaining the
productivity by a balance between the use of inputs, pesticides and production.
In this context, one should consider the production capacity of the land as an indispensable element of the
strategy and policy, the integration of environmental consideration that allows to:
i) ensure that the determination to transform a natural space into orchard is environmentally
acceptable and alternative solutions are proposed.
ii) show that indirect effects have been fully examined and taken into account in the
development of new orchards and that mitigation measures are planned.
iii) ensure that best practices are applied in the design and execution of horticultural programs.
d. Impacts Associated with the Proliferation of Invasive Aquatic Vegetation (IAV)
In the framework of NHLP implementation which will consider the development of and the management
of water resources through irrigations schemes (on-farm water management), the proliferation of invasive
aquatic vegetation is a foreseeable impact that must be integrated into the provision of irrigation water
and the creation of hydro-agricultural infrastructure.
The invasion of irrigation water in the traditional canal networks by aquatic plants can become a real
threat to the environment in the development strategies of horticulture and the management of the water
resources, as experienced now in different orchards. Such invasions and proliferation of noxious aquatic
vegetation in irrigation water bodies by undesirable plant species have been observed as a real scourge in
Mauritania, and Mali in Africa, and has been a real threat for the environment.
e. Impacts Associated with Land Salinization, Waterlogging of the Soil and Water Loss
In Afghanistan, the land degradation is primarily related to four main factors: the decades of war, the
natural fragility of soil due to topography, the effects of the mismanagement and exploitation of natural
resources, and the aggressiveness of the climate. It can also be related to the combination of three factors:
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the state of fragility of the soil due to the topography; the aggressiveness of the climate; the irrational
management of natural resources.
Land degradation factors occur, among others, by loss of fertility due to land salinization, alkalinization,
and to waterlogging. Inadequate drainage and excessive irrigation are beforehand responsible for
waterlogging and, to a lesser extent, losses of water in the canals and ditches by infiltration.
Irrigation also increases salinity problems which is already naturally most acute in the arid and semi-arid
areas of Afghanistan, experiencing thus a faster surface evaporation and for which soils are more salty.
While it is true that the lands of the arid and semi-arid regions (northern and western provinces) naturally
tend to become saline, it remains that it is possible to respond to many of the problems related to the soil
quality by adopting certain good practices to mitigate the potential negative impacts related to irrigation.
f. Impacts Associated with the Construction/Rehabilitation of Rural Production Roads
Among the environmental impacts related to construction and/or rehabilitation of production roads, we
must distinguish on the one hand, direct effects on construction sites, of tracks and the immediate vicinity
of the right-of-way and, on the other hand, the indirect effects on the surrounding area.
The area of influence of a production track in rural area is measured by all of economic, social and
environmental effects produced, predictable or spontaneous, coming from easy access and a decrease in
transportation costs to areas otherwise difficult to access. It sometimes happens that the scope of these
indirect effects is more significant than that of direct impacts.
It thus appears that the construction and rehabilitation programs of production roads are likely to generate
potential adverse impacts, in respect of which: (i) the disruption of economic activities, (ii) the
degradation of natural habitats for wildlife fauna, (iii) the destruction of portions of field crops, and (iv)
possible expropriation or occupation of private land. Moreover, the improvement of production roads
could generate indirect impacts where easy access related to the new roads could promote the increase of
exploitations of natural resources (fauna, forests, coal, etc.) and the development of poaching. In
operation phase, the increased traffic on the production roads may lead to risk of accidents, especially at
the level of the riparian villages.
On the other hand, the non-rehabilitation of the borrowing sites and quarries for the extraction of
necessary construction materials for the roads can promote the proliferation of vector insects (malaria)
and the development of bilharzias (schistosomiasis). Despite the relevance of these factors of impacts, it
can be concluded that overall these risks will be probably limited, when taking into account the climatic
conditions of Afghanistan.
g. Impacts associated with Pastoral Practices and Overgrazing
Despite the substantial contribution of livestock to the economy of the country, it is clear that the
development of the breeding programs is likely to generate different types of impacts on the
environmental resources and the human environment.
The livestock breeding systems and pastoral operating modes as practiced in Afghanistan (poor
management of pastoral roads, gradual settlement around sensitive and fragile areas, etc.) have adverse
effects on the natural and human environments, through livestock loads which do not take account of
forage availability and distribution of water points, and potential conflicts between farmers and herders.
Water points for both humans and animals present obvious health risks (Brucellosis, foot & mouth
diseases) for local populations. Similarly, transhumance and the movement of livestock, on sometimes
sensitive routes, may affect natural resources and generate homes for bushfires.
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Referred below are few potential adverse effects related to pastoral practices which are summarized as
follows: (i) pasturing and the settling of livestock cause selective grazing of plants by animals, disturbing
and influencing local floristic composition; (ii) loss of biodiversity associated with overcrowding,
trampling on vegetation cover, the excessive fodder exploitation and the disappearance of the vegetation;
(iii) the risk of pollution of wells and water bodies by animal manure; (iv) the soil compaction, erosion
and soil degradation; (v) the destruction of the rivers banks; (vi) the disturbance of the ecosystem to the
level of sensitive areas; (vii) the risk of bushfires on the pastoral routes and areas of settlement; (viii) the
logging and Bush fires on livestock routes and settling areas; (ix) social impacts and conflicts between
farmers and herders; (x) transmission of animal-borne diseases (zoonotic disease) to human.
Overgrazing occurs when the land occupation by animals, in number and species exceeds their carrying
capacity. Overgrazing can lead to the depletion of beneficial forage species and disseminating
indigestible weed for livestock. It may be responsible for increased soil erosion caused indirectly by the
shrinking of plant cover, and directly by the loosening of soils which are disturbed and exposed to the
combined actions of water and wind. The livestock Movements disfigure the soils and trigger a
mechanism that can result in the formation of gullies, soil compaction and erosion, and consequently their
declining fertility.
h. Impacts associated with biomedical waste of veterinary services
Among the activities and related facilities attached to the development of livestock farming, it is
necessary to identify and analyze the sources of potential impacts related to vaccination and Veterinary
assistance services (rendered by veterinary field units-VFUs) that can generate biomedical waste and
constitute risk factors for the environment and for local populations. In the livestock sector development
programs, one could fear that the production of untreated biomedical waste, derived from veterinary
services in rural areas, in the areas of immunization and hardstandings, causes effects unwanted on the
natural environment and constitute factors of risk or health hazards for the local populations (reuse the
vials and syringes by neighboring populations, pollution of the environment by waste, etc.). These risk
factors must be taken into account, in order to better manage and minimize the production of biomedical
wastes in the livestock breeding and animal health program areas.
i. Impacts associated with the slaughterhouses
A slaughterhouse, the simplest it could be, houses enclosures for livestock and conducts operations such
as slaughtering, removal of skin and blood, the slaked and the evisceration of the animals, as well as the
whaling and the cutting for the sale. Liquid and solid effluents represent most of the pollutants (e.g. Herat
municipals) that the slaughterhouses generate. The odors emitted by putrefaction and decomposition of
organic substances, even though they are the only factors of air pollution, are no less a continual source of
inconvenience.
The main hazards, under the NHLP, to which the staff of slaughterhouses will be exposed range from
scrapes to cuts, induced blades and other cuttings tools, to falls due to slippery floors, burns and scalds
caused by hot water and steam. Moreover, the risk of diseases contracted by animals, such as brucellosis,
anthrax, acute and chronic respiratory syndrome, the skin diseases, Erysipelas, nose mucus, tularemia and
fever, also constitute potential effects to the health of slaughterhouses workers.
Finally, other foreseeable adverse effects, not less important, affecting natural and human environments
related to slaughterhouses, can lead to: (i) the arrival of the flogs of dogs, carnivores, insects, rodents,
flies, and other vectors, etc.; (ii) various nuisances to the neighboring residents due to noise (animals
awaiting slaughter; movement of vehicles and slaughter activities) and smell; (iii) the use and waste of
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water for the cleaning of the premises; (iv) health risks due to the poor inspection conditions, facilitating
the release of meat unfit for consumption.
j. Impacts associated with the polarization on the activities of horticulture and livestock in the
NHLP areas
The current Strategic Environmental Assessment notes that there could be an expansion of agricultural
and livestock activities in HNLP implementation areas offering particularly good natural conditions and
potentials in land pasture and water resources, etc. This dynamics of polarization of human activities and
population towards these areas with good potentials could lead to pressure on environmental factors, but
also to social and economic factors, resulting in: (i) a strong demographic growth; (ii) the alienation and
the abandonment of other zones/regions where agricultural activities are dependent on the weather
vagaries; (iii) possible migrations, temporary or permanent, towards more favorable territories; (iv) an
expansion, concentration and a possible settling of livestock farmers (Kuchi) around the ponds, rivers and
other water sources; (v) risks of depopulation and marginalization of certain areas and regions that are the
most affected by the weather vagaries/droughts and the desertification phenomenon; (vi) an accelerated
degradation of the natural environment and sometimes of sensitive areas (soil degradation, erosion,
pressure on the fauna and flora reserves, etc.).
Box 3: Summary of Negative Impacts Associated with Agricultural (Horticulture and Livestock) Sector
Potential Negative Impacts Associated with Agricultural (Horticulture and Livestock) Development
Programs
Human Environment:
Displacement and resettlement of populations.
Risks associated with the use of phytosanitary products on human health: risks for health and security during
pesticides management (contamination of livestock by drinking; poisoning in case of misuse; residues on food
product; mismanagement of packaging; etc.).
Potential conflicts: access to local resources, socio-cultural level, land use; between farmers and pastoralists.
Arrival of new migrants, installation of the hamlets of crops and increase in human settlements.
Decline in soil fertility due to cultural practices.
Prevalence and development of water-borne diseases risk.
Nuisances and effluent discharges.
Polarization of agro-pastoral activities and marginalization of some territories, etc.
Biophysical Environment:
Deforestation and degradation of wildlife habitat.
Biodiversity reduction at the ecosystems or species level.
Waterlogging, salinization or degradation of soils, loss of fertility.
Depletion and degradation of water quality.
Loss and irrational management of water resources.
Clearing of forested areas and destruction of sensitive habitats.
Destruction of non-target species by pesticides.
Soil erosion, disruption of the hydrological cycle.
Degradation of vegetation cover.
Degradation of the water quality (pollution of groundwater, rivers, other surface water)).
Risk of resurgence of pests.
Risk of development of invasive plant species.
Pollution by biomedical wastes, etc.
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6. TECHNICAL PROCEDURES AND INCENTIVES
MEASURES FOR THE SEA IMPLEMENTATION
The analysis of environmental governance instruments shows that agricultural sector development has
not been the subject of any study on the SEA. This situation will be taken into account during the
implementation of the present SEA that will include several accompanying measures, in respect of which:
strengthening of the legal and legislative instruments with regard to:
the methodology for the preparation, approval and execution of sub-projects (environmental
selection or screening process) to identify the potentials environmental and social impacts that
can arise from the implementation of NHLP subprojects;
the subjugation of the sub-projects, according to the EIA procedures;
institutional arrangements for implementation and monitoring/evaluation of SEA procedures:
strengthening measures for technical capacity in the agricultural sector in the SEA matters;
the coordination and the implementation of SEA at the local level;
the identification of the actors involved and the clarification of their roles in the SEA process;
monitoring and surveillance measures required;
the procedures for public and key stakeholders’ consultation;
the timetable for the implementation of the advocated measures in the SEA framework;
the resources available for the implemention of SEA.
6.1. Selection Procedures and Environmental Coverage of NHLP
The methodology for the preparation, approval and execution of the National Horticulture and Livestock
Project (NHLP) should be based on an environmental selection procedure for which the main steps are
described below, in accordance with the guide for the technical and administrative procedures of the EIAs
in force in Afghanistan.
The results of the selection process will determine the environmental and social measures pursuant to the
SEA approach, and should allow to highlight the major issues regarding: (a) the identification of sub-
projects which are likely to have negative impacts at the environmental and social level; (b) the
identification of appropriate mitigation measures for activities having adverse impacts; (c) the
identification of subprojects requiring Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA); and (d) the institutional
responsibilities entrusted such as: (i) analysis and approval of the selection results; (ii) implementation of
proposed mitigation measures; (iii) validation of the EIA reports; (iv) monitoring of environmental
indicators in the implementation of subprojects; and (v) identification of subprojects likely to result in the
displacement of populations or land acquisition .
The selection process (or screening) includes different phases and steps outlined below.
Phase 1: Environmental Compliance of subprojects Associated with the NHLP Implementation
The first phase of the process is to implement compliance of subprojects with SEA procedures, EIA or
the EIN. It focuses on the identification, classification and subjection to NHLP, in order to assess its
potential effects on the environment and to comply with the provisions of the SEA and the EIA
legislation.
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Step 1: Analysis of Environmental Issues
For this, selection form is designed (which appears in the annex 1 to the present report) which must be
completed by a team of specialists under the following technical departments in MAIL (Directorate
General of Agriculture Services, Directorate General of Livestock Production and Animal Health,
Directorate General of Natural Resources Management); Associative and Producers Groups; the leader of
the TFP in charge of environmental issues.
Step 2: Environmental programs classification
The environmental legislation in Afghanistan (2007 Environment Act and relating 2007 Policy relating to
the Environmental Impact Assessment) has established an environmental classification of projects and
sub-projects in two categories:
- programs or projects to category 1 are programs or projects likely to have significant adverse
environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented, and impact to energy sector
area than the sites or facilities subject to the physical works of the activity. Programs of hydro-
agriculture infrastructure, the implementation of pastoral works, water supply programs, irrigation,
land clearing, delimitation of transhumance routes, installation of slaughterhouses, pesticide
spraying programs, etc., fall into this category and should therefore be subject to the procedures of
detailed EIA with an Environmental and Social Management Plan of (ESMP);
- programs or projects of category 2 are related to programs or projects for which the activities are
likely to have significant adverse impacts on human environments or environmentally sensitive
areas that are less adverse than those of Category 1 activities, and are site specific and in most
instances not irreversible and requiring only a development of an Environmental Impact Note (or
the application of simplified mitigation measures). The maintenance programs of installations,
production roads or already existing transhumance trails, repair of annexes facilities or pastoral
works, etc., fall into this category;
- Any activity that is likely to have significant adverse impact on the environment of an area
determined to be environmentally sensitive; and
- Any other activity that is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and which
is determined by NEPA to be a prohibited activity.
Based on the analysis of information contained in the results of the selection form and after determining
the right environmental category of the subprojects, and therefore the extent of the environmental work
required, the Environmental Focal Points will carry out a synthesis of recommendations to determine if:
(i) an environmental work is necessary or not; (ii) the application of simple mitigation measures will be
enough through an Environmental Impact Note; or (iii) an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) shall
be required.
According to the selection results, the following environmental work may be carried out on the basis of
the use of the environmental and social control checklist (attached in annex 2) or will be commissioned
an Environmental Impact Assessment or an Impact Note that will propose appropriate corrective
measures as well as the ESMP, as the case may be.
In the case of subprojects requiring the application of simple mitigation measures, an EIA is not
necessary; the environmental and social control checklist (attached in 2) shall be completed by the
Environmental Focal Points (EFP), describe simple mitigation measures for the environmental and social
impacts which do not require a full EIA. In these cases, the EFPs, in connection with the environment
73
technical services, will consult the checklist of the ESMF to select sensitive aspects of biophysical and
human environments to take into account in the development of the note.
In the case of subprojects requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the results of the
environmental selection will indicate planned activities subject to EIA and ESMP. In this case scenario,
the technical services will indicate the required profiles for consultants qualified to be recruited for the
completion of the EIA, according to the national procedure established in the matter which may
eventually be supplemented by the provisions required by the donor.
Phase 2: Development and Validation of the Terms of Reference (or specifications)
Environmental selection form, validated by different stakeholders, will serve as a basis for the preparation
of the draft Terms of Reference (or specification notes) to be submitted by the department and/or sponsor
technical service, to the Division of Sustainable Development and Environmental Assessment of NEPA
for classification and validation. It is a technical document which explains in detail the decisive points of
the program and/or project, the approach to environmental assessment, highlights related issues and to
impacts related to the program or project.
The TORs to be developed by the MAIL must include at least the following relevant elements: (i) a
technical description of NHLP; (ii) a brief description of the initial state of the environment (biophysical
and human); (iii) the interrelationships between NHLP components with the biophysical and human
environments; (iv) the determination of the scope of the study and the area of influence of the NHLP; (v)
the list of issues, potential impacts, local concerns and the major issues arising out of the NHLP; (vi) the
establishment of environmental priorities according to the sensitivity of the environment; (vii) the plan
and methodology of the public and the actors; (viii) the dissemination of information to the concerned
and/or affected players.
Once draft Terms of Reference is prepared, the dependant promoter transmits the file for approval to
NEPA, which has a maximum statutory period (as determined by the Law- 14 days) to comment and
validate.
Phase 3: Development, Review and Approval of the Report (EIA or EIN)
The assessment report (EIA or EIN), developed by the consultants committed by the sponsor Department,
will be reviewed and validated by the Division of Sustainable Development and Environmental
Assessment of NEPA which will ensure that all environmental and social impacts have been identified
and analyzed, and that effective and appropriate mitigation measures have been proposed for the
implementation of the program or project. In case of the validation of the report (EIA or EIN), the
Division of Sustainable Development and Environmental Assessment must develop a detailed report to
the attention of the Director of NEPA in which he/she gives a reasoned opinion on the environmental and
social feasibility of the subproject and seeks the issuance of the feasibility permit for the subproject.
Phase 4: Public Consultation and Dissemination of Information
Step 1: Public Investigation and Stakeholders Consultation
The provisions of the EIA Ordinance stipulate that information and the participation of the public must be
ensured during the execution of the EIA, in collaboration with relevant bodies of the administrative
division and the concerned district. The information of the public comprises specifically one or more
meetings of program and/or the subproject presentation, bringing together local authorities, people,
concerned organizations, the civil society, etc. These consultations will allow identify major problems,
74
issues and suggestions and determine the terms of consideration of the various concerns raised by
concerned and/or affected groups. The results of consultations and public inquiries will be incorporated in
the EIA report and will be made available to the public by the most appropriate channels.
Step 2: Information Dissemination to Stakeholders
To meet the requirements of the dissemination of environmental information, the Division of Sustainable
Development and Environmental Assessment of NEPA, in cooperation with the MAIL, must develop a
briefing note and a non-technical summary of major concerns to the NHLP subproject making the point
on the following issues: (i) the items in the consultation of the public at the local level; (ii) the synthesis
of concerns raised by communities, groups and, possibly, for people who might be likely affected or
concerned by the NHLP subproject; (iii) items published on the site of the donor; (iv) the feasibility
permit issued by NEPA, including conditionality, reserves and preconditions raised for effective
implementation, etc.
Phase 5: Environmental Audit, Surveillance and Monitoring
The implementation of SEA in the NHLP development requires audits, surveillance and environmental
monitoring programs that are to be implemented. Indeed, aspects of environmental monitoring, which
concern both the phase of implementation as well as exploitation of the installations, infrastructure and
equipment (in the case of civil works), should reorient the works and eventually improve the
implementation of NHLP subprojects with regard to their social and environmental acceptability.
The audit, surveillance and monitoring programs are relevant insofar as they enable planners to ensure
that: (i) emergency response programs will be the subject of an environmental assessment a posteriori;
(ii) predictions of the potential negative impacts related to specific NHLP subprojects (kitchen gardens,
orchards rehabilitation, backyard poultry, small ruminants, etc.) are accurate and well circumscribed
(monitoring of effects and environmental sensitivity); (iii) proposed prevention, mitigation and/or
compensation measures are adequate and appropriate to the community (monitoring of effects,
compensation of losses, sustainability of the actions, etc.); (iv) appropriate regulations and standards are
respected and implemented (measures of compliance to the environmental governance, standards of
effluents discharges, sound pollution, dust emissions standards, etc.); (v) the criteria of implementation of
horticulture and livestock programs take into account the sensitivity of the environment and the
preservation of natural resources (inspection, surveillance, ecosystem regeneration, restoration of natural
habitats, water tables recharge, etc.).
The monitoring and the implementation of this phase will require: (a) at the national level, the
involvement of the central technical services under MAIL, technical departments of NEPA and
community groups involved in the NHLP development; (b) at the provincial level, the accountability of
the decentralized technical services of NEPA and DAIL, local communities and local NGOs; (c) at the
local level, the environmental control of proximity of the execution of local programs that must be
provided under the supervision of the extension workers of livestock farming and horticulture; (d) the
development and implementation of a capacity building program, awareness and training for all the actors
involved in the process at the national, regional and local levels.
Phase 6: Compliance of NHLP with the Environmental Feasibility Opinion
Execution and implementation of the civil work activities of subprojects under NHLP implementation
cannot and must occur only after reasoned opinion of the NEPA, based on the subproject’s (and/or sub-
project) environmental feasibility which will be the subject of analysis and validation at the different
stages as have been described above.
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Table 7: Summary of the Selection Phases and Environmental Compliance of the Programs arising from Agricultural Sector Development
Phases of environmental selection of programs Environmental tasks and procedures to apply Concerned Institutional Actors
PHASE 1:
Environmental
compliance of
program/ NHLP
Step 1: Environmental
analysis of the NHLP
- Identify horticultural stakeholders responsible in
environmental assessment and SEA procedures in the
agricultural development.
- Identify and classify NHLP, according to the subjection
procedures requiring an EIA or an EIN within agricultural
sector development.
- Analyze the sources of impacts and the potential effects
of NHLP subprojects on the environment and ensure
conformity with the provisions of legislation on EIA
(SEA not in the legislation).
- Filling of the selection form attached in the annex 2.
- Directorate and technical services of MAIL
(Agriculture and Livestock).
- Division of Sustainable Development and
Environmental Assessment of NEPA.
- Associative Groups and producer
organizations.
- TFP leaders in charge of environmental issues
in Afghanistan
Step 2: Environmental
classification of the NHLP
- Proceed to the environmental classification of NHLP
subprojects in either category 1 (subject to EIA
procedures) or category 2 (subject to the EIN) of the
national environmental guidelines classification
- Proceed with the validation of the selection and
classification of the subprojects.
- Apply the provisions of environmental legislation on
EIAs (2007 Ordinance and relating to EIA).
PHASE 2:
Development and validation of the Terms of
Reference (or specification Notes)
- Carry out the analysis of compliance of the TORs
submitted by MAIL/NHLP.
- The TORs must be consistent with the procedures of the
2007 Ordinance on EIA and contain at a minimum of all
the elements listed in the guide.
- Proceed with the validation of the draft TORs which will
form the basis for the implementation of the EIA or the
EIN, as the case may be.
PHASE 3:
Preparation of the report (EIA or EIN)
- Proceed with the compliance analysis of the report
submitted by MAIL/NHLP.
- The report must be in conformity to the format indicated in
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the 2007 EIA Ordinance and procedures manual and
contain all of the items indicated in the TORs.
- Proceed with the validation of the report.
PHASE 4
Public consultation
and Information
Dissemination
Step 1: Consultation of
stakeholders and public
investigation
Step 2: Dissemination of the
Information
- Organize the stakeholder consultations and public
investigations in the phase of validation of the TOR, in
accordance with planned provisions of environmental
legislation.
- Take into account the concerns raised by stakeholders.
- Disseminate to stakeholders the executive summary of
the report, including: ( i) the provisions for taking account
of the concerns raised by the people, groups and,
possibly, for people who might be affected or concerned
by the subproject; (ii) the mitigation measures proposed;
(iii) the cost, schedule, and the role of stakeholders; (iv)
the feasibility permit issued by NEPA, including the
conditionality, the reserves and the preconditions raised
for its effective implementation, etc.
- Department and technical services of MAIL
(Agriculture and Livestock)
- Department of Sustainable Development and
Environmental Assessment of NEPA.
- Associative Groups and producer
organizations.
- TFP leaders in charge of environmental issues
in Afghanistan
PHASE 5
Environmental Audit, Surveillance and Monitoring
- Provide environmental audit, surveillance and
monitoring programs to ensure that the interventions
carried out, disaster and prevention of dangers, integrate
the consideration of environment and natural resources
preservation.
PHASE 6
NHLP Compliance with opinion on Environmental
Feasibility
- Ensure that the execution and the implementation of
targeted subprojects (Horticulture and Livestock) are
consistent with the provisions of the feasibility permit to
be issued by NEPA
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Figure 3: Flow Chart for Screening Scheme Applicable to Agricultural Development (including NHLP) Programs
PHASE 1: Alignement to Environmental Programs
Step 1: Filling of selection form for environmental programs
Step 2:
Selection and NHLP subprojects’ Classification Validation
PHASE 2: Development and validation of Terms of Reference or responsibilities note
PHASE 3: Development and validation of the report (EIA OR EIN)
PHASE 4: Public Consultation and Information Dissemination
PHASE 5: NHLP Subprojects’ Audit, surveillance and environmental monitoring
PHASE 6: NHLP (subprojects) alignment for issuance of the feasibility permit
Step 2: Information
dissemination
Step 1 : Consultation of actors and
public surveys
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6.2. Information and Outreach Programs for Actors on the SEA Procedures
SEA is a new vision in Afghanistan; its implementation requires information campaigns and outreach to
all stakeholders, particularly on the nature of the potential impacts and environmental and social issues
related to the NHLP development and implementation.
In this process, the Steering Committee, the environment cells and the agricultural Focal Points, local
associations, producer groups, NGOs and local communities should be mobilized as a team in the
foreground. The technical departments of social development (Women affairs, Education, Public
Health) will also be closely associated with the development and the conduct of awareness and
community mobilization during the SEA implementation.
The Steering Committee, because of the potential presence within it of senior officials of the sectoral
departments and ministries (NEPA, MAIL, MEW, MRRD, MoPH, Education, Security, etc.), should
conduct campaigns of information and lobbying the Government, Corporate Firms and technical
partners. The relay should be ensured at the level of technical services by the sectoral environment
cells, through the Focal Points who will play the role of real communicators. An important role in the
success of the awareness and information campaigns belongs to NGOs and local actors who, with a
confirmed expertise in different areas, should be involved in this process.
Information, education and communication for behavior change must focus primarily on environmental
problems related not only to horticulture and livestock subprograms, but also on the subprojects which
would be initiated in during NHLP (Horticulture and Livestock) implementation. These interventions
must be designed to modify qualitatively and in a sustainable manner the behavior of local populations
on the preservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment. In this context, local
elected officials and their technical teams need to be more mentored to better support the SEA activities
in their constituencies and areas of intervention.
During the implementation of SEA the production of training equipment and materials should be
considered to ensure a wide coverage to the target populations. The rational use of the information and
communication channels for the transmission of messages should also have to be strengthened. Finally,
it should be noted that the role of public media should be capitalized in the awareness campaign process,
to relay the relevant messages at the national, regional and local levels.
6.3. Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance Program
Despite the knowledge of certain environmental and social phenomena related to the generic impacts of
NHLP, it is no less that there is still a degree of uncertainty in the accuracy of other potential impacts,
especially for those concerning diffuse impacts and residual impacts that may occur. For this reason, it
is necessary to develop an environmental surveillance and monitoring program that will be implemented
under the SEA implementation framework in NHLP.
Environmental Surveillance and Monitoring Elements
The implementation of SEA requires environmental monitoring and surveillance to ensure compliance
of: i) the measures proposed in the ESMF, including the mitigation measures proposed; (ii) the
conditions laid down in the legislature, enforcement decrees, the regulation provisions, the relevant texts
in force relating to the preservation of the environment and natural resources; (iii) hiring of firms and
79
their subcontractors relating to laws, regulations and requirements on hygiene, safety and public health,
management of the populations’ livelihoods, protection of the environment and natural resources.
Environmental monitoring will therefore allow verifying on the ground, the accuracy of evaluation of
some impacts and the effectiveness of certain planned mitigation or compensation measures in the
ESMF, and for which some uncertainties remain. The knowledge gained with environmental monitoring
will allow correct mitigation measures and, possibly, to revise certain standards for the protection of the
environment, in accordance with the SEA procedures. Environmental monitoring in this case concerns
all the NHLP components attached to horticulture and livestock, and applies to all subprojects that will
be carried out in the targeted areas.
It is important to note that environmental monitoring and surveillance measures may require
physicochemical analyses, biological, bacteriological, toxicological and health tests, etc., to fully cover
all the concerns, issues and potential impacts associated with implementing NHLP.
The table below provides the communication framework to be implemented under the SEA
implementation under NHLP.
Table 8: Information and Awareness Framework
concerned Actors Awareness and Communication Themes Target Objectives
MAIL Departments
Technical Services
Local Communities
Producer Groups and
Associations
NGO
Local Associations
Etc.
Information and awareness-raising
campaigns on the SEA process
Awareness on environmental and social
issues related to water and NHLP
(horticulture, livestock) development
programs
Awareness on best horticultural and
pastoral practices
Awareness on sustainable land management
Awareness on the effects of pesticides
Awareness on health, safety, hygiene and
sanitation aspects
Etc.
Educate decision-makers and the
sectoral ministries/departments
on the implementation of SEA
on water and agricultural
(horticulture, livestock)
development programs
Do TFP lobbying
Inform local authorities and
socio-professional groups on the
integration of environmental
issues into NHLP
Ensure the participation and
involvement of key actors in all
phases of the SEA process in
Raise producer groups
awareness on best practices to be
applied in horticulture and
livestock
6.4. SEA Environmental and Monitoring Indicators
The framework for environmental monitoring and surveillance for SEA implementation in NHLP must
be applied both in the execution phase of works associated with on-farm water management, pastoral
development and animal health programs, in the operation phase initiated in considered areas. In such
referred programs technical aspects below will be monitored and followed-up by the environmental
Focal Points, but also by provincial environmental services, local communities and producer groups
(farmers, pastoralists, and water users, etc.). The elements below give an indication for the different
stages of environmental monitoring and surveillance to be implemented in the present SEA.
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i. Environmental monitoring during NHLP design phase
In the design of plans of horticultural and livestock development, the regulations in force (texts on EIA
procedures, Environment Law and texts on natural resources, etc.) should be respected in all stages and
must be consistent with environmental issues and sustainability, regardless of the stage of evolution of
the NHLP. The planning and programming of NHLP activities will have to be made according to the
measures dogged in the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
ii. Environmental Monitoring during NHLP Implementation Phase
During the NHLP implementation phase, environmental monitoring will particularly focus on the
essential components of biophysical and human environments, namely: (i) the state of natural resources
(water, air, soil, fauna, flora, water quality, fertility and soil erosion); (ii) biodiversity; (iii) ecology and
impacts on the natural environment; (iv) impacts of pastoral practices; (v) effects of pesticides and plant
protection products; (vi) the potential impacts on the human environment (expropriation, displacements
and resettlements, loss of land, conflicts of access to resources, disruption of the socio-economic
balance, spread of disease, hygiene aspects, sanitation and safety, pollution and nuisances, etc.).
At this stage of the NHLP, enforcement of environmental standards and of proposed mitigation
measures from the ESMF will be required and will need not only to oversee the activities initiated by
the MAIL, but also apply to contractors in charge of the implementation of NHLP subprojects.
iii. Environmental Monitoring of Post NHLP
The post-NHLP environmental monitoring should be carried out to verify the effectiveness of SEA and
accompanying measures which have been proposed in the ESMF. This monitoring shall be carried out
by the Environmental Focal Points, in collaboration with various stakeholders in the MAIL.
Post-NHLP Environmental monitoring of SEA concerns the analysis of the process effectiveness with
regard to the control of the evolution of certain receptors of impacts (natural and human environments)
affected by the NHLP, with purpose to:
(i) ensure compliance with the conditions for the application of the SEA process and subsequent
legal instruments, the laws, regulations and other environmental requirements, with reference to
hygiene, health and protection of natural resources and the livelihood of the populations;
(ii) follow the evolution of soil erosion phenomena, the vegetation cover regeneration and the
reconstitution of the deforested areas, the development of sensitive areas and wildlife reserves;
(iii) monitor the level of evolution of water-related diseases or other disorders related to NHLP;
(iv) follow the level of implementation of proposed measures in the SEA and the ESMF, especially
with regard to the effectiveness of the mitigation measures implemented, the level of realization
of commitments by the NHLP proponents and implementers relative to the environmental
requirements contained in the bidding documents, if bidding is necessary.
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6.5. Indicators for the Implementation of SEA
The implementation of SEA in the NHLP requires the application of indicators in order to ensure the
process effectiveness and its ownership by the actors responsible for its implementation. These
indicators will be built as monitoring parameters which will provide either quantitative or qualitative
information on the achievement of results, the effectiveness of the procedure, the assessment of the
impacts, the relevance of mitigation measures, environmental and social benefits and NHLP
sustainability.
As such, these indicators are essential elements for the analysis of SEA effectiveness at three levels,
namely: (i) strategic level indicators, intended to verify the implementation and ownership of SEA at the
highest decision-making level and with partners (Government, Ministerial, departmental secretariats,
cooperation agencies, TFP, etc.); (ii) technical level indicators, intended to ensure the effective
implementation of SEA tools, environmental governance and technical measures to accompany the
implementation of SEA; (iii) environmental level indicators, to verify the effectiveness of
environmental preservation measures implemented.
a. Strategic Level Indicators
Strategic indicators to monitor in this study concern in particular the elements which involve decision-
makers in the choice of NHLP, and are specifically designed legislative, institutional instruments,
arrangements and other legal provisions that are likely to influence directly or indirectly on the natural
resources and their conservation.
In the present study, the identified strategic indicators concern in particular: (i) the effective
implementation and functionality of the Steering Committee; (ii) the effective implementation and
functionality of the Environment Cell at the level of MAIL; (iii) the actual designation of the
Environment Focal Points at the level of the concerned technical services; (iv) the effectiveness of the
application of the environmental screening of NHLP subprojects; (v) information notes addressed to the
TFP and the NEPA on the implementation of SEA; (vi) the decrees, regulations, laws or guidelines
developed for the introduction of SEA in the agricultural development programs and its implementation
in NHLP, if they exist in Afghanistan; (vii) the improvements made to the Ordinance on the EIAs for its
adaptation to the current situation of NHLP; (viii) the concrete actions implemented for the effective
execution of the provisions of the Ordinance on the EIAs; (ix) the meetings, gatherings or formal
exchanges, with the sectoral ministries, TFP and associative groups on the implementation of SEA; (x)
the number and types of agricultural guides developed and implemented; (xi) the level of application of
IWRM in irrigation schemes construction and on-farm water programs; (xii) the level of application of
procedure manuals for pesticides management; (xiii) the level of increase in the list of SEA or EIA
carried out in other sectors in Afghanistan; (xiv) the level of increase in the list of environmental
feasibility permits issued by NEPA; (xv) the list of the agricultural production guides developed and
applied in NHLP development; (xvi) the budget allocation approved by MAIL for SEA implementation.
b. Technical Level Indicators
Technical level indicators identified in this study are those that are attached to the operational phase of
the NHLP, Taking into account the technical aspects of the subprojects, with regard to their fitness to
environmental and social issues: (i) functioning of the facilities and acquired environmental control
equipment; effective application of tools and guides of best practices, capacity building measures
(training, awareness-raising, education, equipment, etc.).
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Indicatively, this should include technical level indicators below, applicable especially to the NHLP
implementation phase: (i) the number and types of equipment acquired for the control of environmental
parameters (piezometers mini-stations, laboratories, dust collectors, etc.); (ii) the types of
accommodation made for the protection of the environment during the construction phases (in the case
of rural production roads) ; (iii) the number of officers trained for handling of installed equipment; (iv)
types of agricultural guides developed and applied in the NHLP; (v) the medical statistics on poisoning
due to pesticides and other plant protection products; (vi) the number of firewall for the preservation of
transhumance routes; (vii) types of local conventions/agreements developed and applied for the
management of livestock around water points; (viii) the number of producers aware on hygiene, health
and safety measures; (ix) the number of actors trained in the assessment and review of environmental
management; (x) the number of displaced and resettled people in the framework of horticultural and
livestock programs; (xi) the effectiveness of the implementation of the resettlement plan and level of
application of the compensation measures.
c. Environmental and Social Level Indicators
In this topic, targeted environmental indicators are composite or combined parameters that take into
account the factors of pressure affecting the receiving environments: (i) biophysical environment (air,
water, soil, fauna, flora, habitats, protected areas, sensitive areas, etc.); (ii) human environment (health,
hygiene, security, socio-cultural heritage, socio-economic aspects, living environment, conditions of
access to natural resources, etc.). The integration of these indicators in the monitoring framework will
allow having a general idea of the evolution of the environmental situation under the influence of the
changes and the potential impacts that might be generated by the NHLP in the agricultural sector
development in Afghanistan. They therefore focus on the environmental aspect and reflect a status of
the environment as a result of the NHLP implementation. These indicators will need to be monitored
regularly at different stages of NHLP development and implementation.
The tables below (Annex 3, 4, and 5) provide the framework of environmental monitoring, indicators
and the elements of the environment which will require surveillance. It is given as a guide and provides
guidance on the relevant parameters to take into account, the timetables and the role of the various
actors involved in the monitoring of NHLP programs. It should be noted that some parameters
evolve and should be reviewed periodically, to adapt them to the current environmental
context.
6.6. Proper Procedures of SEA Assessment
According to the OECD and World Bank procedures, it is important to evaluate the present SEA to
determine, on the one hand, if the objectives have been met entirely or in part, and on the other hand to
ensure control of the quality of the SEA process, with regard to the respect of the steps.
The main expected result of a SEA being the development and ownership of a process, and not a
product, the quality of SEA control will therefore consist to examine to what extent the procedures have
been conducted in a satisfactory manner. The evaluation could be limited to a relatively simple exercise
of checks if SEA has suggested more viable alternative solutions and a realistic and achievable
Environmental Management Framework.
83
In a more ambitious option, one may be seeking to determine if SEA has led to the development and
implementation of more sustainable NHLP, in connection with the effective integration of the
environment. Moreover, one can extend the field of evaluation to institutional issues and capacity
building, which exert a strong influence on the process of SEA implementation.
The key points to consider in the evaluation of a SEA process include the quality of the information, the
degree of participation of stakeholders, the objectives assigned to SEA, analysis of the impacts on the
environment, concrete actions envisaged to SEA and the obstacles have to be overcome. The evaluation
of the real impact of SEA on the sustainability of the NHLP focuses on the review of the validity of the
assumptions made for the NHLP subprojects’ development; the effects of SEA on the process of
decision, implementation, the objectives of development and transparency of the management of
environmental-related issues of NHLP, and the results of SEA in terms of institutional capacity
building.
In the long term, however, the development progress, in parallel to the maintenance of environmental
sustainability in the NHLP, will also constitute key measures to the SEA success.
Finally, one may use other elements of analysis to specifically assess the performance and effectiveness
of SEA, in respect of which:
(i) the benefits brought by SEA in terms of success and sustainability in NHLP implementation;
(ii) the contribution of SEA to the strengthening of the capacities of key stakeholders;
(iii) the transparency of decision-making,
(iv) the accountability of decision-makers about the environmental implications of NHLP;
(v) the impact of the results and monitoring established by SEA on the orientations and the
implementation of NHLP to make them more respectful of the environment;
(vi) the effectiveness of the level of cooperation between the SEA team and the NHLP team;
(vii) the level of public participation in the process.
6.7. Institutional Capacity Building and Coordination Measures
The current situation of environmental management at the level of the MAIL, belongs to the General
Directorate of Natural Resources Management (Development Forestry & Rangeland), has many
shortcomings that have been deplored by stakeholders that have been consulted in this study.
The General Directorate, which comprises the Directorate of Environmental Management among others,
is not well structured to be responsible for EIA issues. However, the environmental monitoring which is
the responsibility of NEPA, is relatively short of capacity when considering the issues of the
environmental, social and health issues related to hydro-agriculture facilities and irrigation schemes: no
stations or laboratory measurements and analysis, no qualitative monitoring of water quality and aquatic
wildlife, no health monitoring of water quality and water-borne diseases, etc.
This situation of disability, which also characterizes the MAIL, will have to be corrected very quickly so
that the negative trend is reversed in the framework of the SEA implementation. The establishment of a
strong and equipped Environment Cell within the Directorate of Environmental Management in MAIL
(with skilled and diverse human resources, as well as with adapted measuring equipment and for
convenience analysis) should ensure a good coordination of the SEA process. Taking into account the
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institutional capacity building actions proposed below, this would allow for an effective implementation
of SEA in NHLP development.
6.7.1. Institutional Arrangements for SEA Monitoring and Implementation
The implementation and the execution of SEA for the NHLP require the establishment of functional
coordination and monitoring structures that will ensure the integration of SEA into NHLP
implementation. The diagram below is proposed as an institutional arrangement to implement: (i) a
Steering Committee (SC) for the coordination of all SEA procedures; (ii) an Environment Cell at the
level of MAIL; (iii) Environment Focal Points who will be responsible for the operationalization of
SEA in NHLP. These institutional arrangements for coordination and cooperation should be discussed
with the main players involved in SEA implementation and monitoring, which constitutes a sovereign
mission vis-à-vis the NHLP.
6.7.2. Establishment of a Steering Committee (SC)
The establishment of a sustainable structure as a focal body at the level of the above-mentioned rural
development institutions responds to the concern to provide these sectoral ministries with an operational
coordination framework, functional and effective, in order to:
i) institutionalize the practice of SEA and EIA in the rural sector development-related
ministries.
ii) ensure taking into account the environmental and social aspects in the targeted programs.
iii) ensure the monitoring of environmental and social performance indicators in the SEA.
iv) develop a prospective vision of an Environmental Management System (EMS) to register in
the long term quality process.
To promote the taking into account the requirements of the targeted environmental and social programs
in the SEA framework, it is important, in the immediate future, to strengthen the capacity of the agents
of different technical services of NEPA and of MAIL to enable them to design or ensure, in their
respective fields, that the necessary environmental measures will be taken into account in the
implementation of SEAs.
The SEA Steering Committee will therefore constitute the strategic coordination level that must ensure
the consolidation of the concerned ministries for the establishment and the effective management of the
SEA process in their sectors. Its essential roles will be:
i) to ensure external strategic monitoring concerning the compliance of the future NHLP with
economic policy and synergies with the other agricultural programs;
ii) to provide strategic direction to MAIL on the SEA through the Environment Cell;
ii) to integrate the SEA and environmental issues into the planning of MAIL;
iii) to plan the whole SEA implementation process in agricultural sector: formulation of
programs, meetings of consultation on SEA, consultation with TFP, etc;
v) to plead with the authorities for the implementation of SEA in the NHLP.
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vi) to ensure the support/council to the Government and the TFP on SEA and environmental
governance.
vii) to lobbying the TFP and the Government for the mobilization of necessary financing for the
SEA implementation in MAIL.
Observations: In the proposed coordination scheme, an essential role should be vested to the NEPA’s
Directorate of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development as an administration
responsible for the management of the EIA procedures, for external operational monitoring of SEA
procedures. The chart below gives an indication of the institutional framework proposed.
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Figure 4: Institutional Framework for SEA Monitoring and Implementation
LEVEL OF INTERVENTION
COORDINATING STRUCTURES
ROLE IN THE SEA IMPLMENTATION
STEERING COMMITTEE
Environment Cell Horticulture
Focal Point Agriculture-MAIL
National (NEPA)
Environment Cell Livestock
NEPA Provincial Technical Services, DAIL, Local Communities
Provincial/Local
Provincial Environmental Monitoring
Social Mobilisation
Sensitization/information
Local Monitoring
Operationalization of SEA
Sectoral Aspect of SEA
Technological Research
Application of best practice directives
Environmental monitoring
Etc.
Coordination
Supervision
Planning
Facilitation
Capacity building
Focal Point Environment-NEPA
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6.7.3. Strengthening of Technical Services of Environmental Expertise
To ensure efficiency and functionality of these coordination structures, all the agents concerned or
involved in the Steering Committee, in the Environment Cells, including the Focal Points and
representatives of local communities, must receive training in SEA and in EIA. These national experts
should benefit from the support and permanent technical assistance of the Directorate of Environmental
Management and Sustainable Development of NEPA, the Directorate General of Natural Resources
Management of MAIL and the NHLP national coordination, to conduct the following activities required
for the implementation of SEA:
i) filling of the environmental selection form (see annex 1);
ii) analysis of proposed mitigation measures in the list of environmental and social control (see
annex 2);
iii) preparation of TORs for NHLP subprojects requiring a separate EIA OR EIN;
iv) dissemination of SEA and EIA reports to key stakeholders and appropriate institutions;
v) carry out environmental monitoring, in collaboration with appropriate services in provincial
DAILs;
vi) organization of information workshops, awareness and training on SEAs and EIAs in
provincial DAILs.
6.8. Measures to Strengthen the Legislative and Regulatory Instruments
While stressing the remarkable advances that led to the issuance of the 2007 Environmental Act and its
2007 Ordinance of EIA, the conclusion which emerges from the overview of this law is that the
provisions of this text are clearly insufficient to supervise and regulate the SEAs in any sector in
Afghanistan. SEA being a new concept in Afghanistan, it is not therefore mentioned in this
Environment Law. In addition, the lack of clarity between the Environmental Assessment (EA, i.e. a
process of estimating and evaluating significant short-term and long-term effects of a program or
project on the quality of its location’s environment) and the Environmental Impact Study (EIA, i.e. an
assessment of possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the
environment, together consisting of environmental, social and economic aspect) often produces some
confusion in terminology, procedures and the definition of certain concepts.
Also, with a view to improvement of legislative instruments for a better integration of the environment,
both in the Policies, Plans and Programs (SEA) and in the projects (EIA), two measures are proposed:
the review of the Law on EIAs that takes into account the following elements: (i) add in the
content of the EIA report the analysis of the institutional framework of the environment and the
sponsor Ministry’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, (ii) the list of national legislations
applicable to the project (NHLP in this case), (iii) the list of the international conventions and
agreements ratified by Afghanistan and applicable to the project; (iv) provide technical and
administrative procedures of EIA as the requirement of certification of qualification for the
firms and consultants to carry out EIAs in Afghanistan; (v) involve representatives of local
authorities from the phase of TOR approval; (vi) specify in the ESMF the role of actors
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responsible for its implementation; and (vii) add in the content of the EIA report the analysis of
the situation "without project".
the development of a decree on SEAs, applicable to all policies, plans and programs in
Afghanistan, that will be the legal and regulatory framework for the integration of
environmental issues in the country’s strategic directions.
6.9. Measures to Strengthen Environmental Management Tools
The implementation of SEA requires strengthening technical measures concerning the development of a
number of environmental governance tools, to be used not only to the environment Focal Points, but
also to companies and their subcontractors, namely:
i) environmental guidelines and the agricultural sector guides to be applied in the NHLP
implementation (e.g., sustainable land management guide, pesticides use procedures, etc.).
ii) a manual of environmental clauses to insert into the bidding documents of NHLP investment
sub-projects.
iii) an environmental database relating to the livestock sectors (small ruminants and poultry).
Development of Guidelines for the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Pesticides
Management
The development of guides and/or guidelines for the Sustainable Land Management of (SLM- USAID,
2011) and the use of pesticides (cf. PMP-IAIDS project, 2011) provide a response to a concern related
to the implementation of SEA where these documents can serve as practical guides for the improvement
of environmental conditions related in particular to horticultural and pastoral activities, and to the
preservation of land and natural resources.
The application of SLM and the judicious use of pesticides (through IMP) being key elements in
improving the horticultural and livestock programs, it is important that practitioners in these fields, and
especially those who will be benefiting from the implementation of NHLP, have appropriate instruments
and easy to use, that can be used consistently for the productivity and the preservation of the
environment.
Development of an environmental database
The environmental database is a decision-making tool and a natural environment analysis tool that
allows not only for a coherent planning of the territory, but also to ensure the dissemination of
information for better coordination of agricultural programs. It is therefore important to ensure that the
implementation of SEA in the agricultural development is supported through the provision of a
reference environmental data, giving specific guidance on the major issues, which are informed through
an accessible documentary basis by the various specialists. This guidance is a key element to support the
implementation of SEA during the NHLP implementation.
This environmental database will be able to supply not only the agricultural technical services to
information system, but can also be used as repository to better assess the potential impacts, the effort
deployed and mitigation measures used for the sustainable management of the agricultural sector.
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It is therefore necessary to have such a database as a monitoring and control tool for potential
environmental risks arising from the implementation of NHLP. Indicatively, among the major areas and
the types of data that can be collected for this database, one should include:
- Environmental parameters of horticulture and livestock concerning:
(i) ecological monitoring of routes and transhumance zones (Kuchi Nomads);
(ii) monitoring of vegetation indices, acquisition of satellite images and the data processing
software and pictures of the agro-ecological diversity,
(iii) evolution trends of transhumance areas,
(iv) monitoring of the evolution of natural resources,
(vi) environmental protection and prevention systems,
(vii) monitoring of the transformations of pastoral ecosystems into agricultural zones,
(viii) monitoring of trends and factors affecting ecosystems,
(ix) monitoring of the desertification and land degradation phenomena,
(x) the control of greenhouse gases emissions,
(xi) the monitoring of the appearance of exotic invasive species,
(xii) the monitoring of acidification and eutrophication phenomena of agricultural ecosystems,
etc.
- Environmental parameters and monitoring of water resources, including:
(i) control of the increase or the water deficit in the main watersheds,
(ii) monitoring of factors and signs of shortage, control of the level of pollutants in water,
(iii) control of the degradation of water quality in the water supply facilities,
(iv) monitoring the frequency and intensity of natural disasters,
(v) control of the ability of groundwater recharge,
(vi) alert plans and monitoring of the flood spots,
(vii) control of water resources potential,
(i) the mapping of water users (water for rural household consumption, agricultural water,
industrial water) monitoring of priority plans for water supply and sanitation, etc.
6.10. Financial Capacity Building Measures
Since 2002 after the fall of the Taliban, NEPA was created in 2005 and one of the objectives was to
centralized the efforts of several donors and funding agencies (including the World Bank, ADB, EC,
GEF, several Bilateral Agencies) that have provided assistance to the country in the framework of
National Environmental Strategy (NES) and the integration of environmental considerations into
relevant ministry and sector strategies within the development process of Afghanistan's National
Development Strategy (ANDS).
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The financing of the environment needs sustainability, because sustainable development actions are
appreciated and assessed only on the long-term with benefits that will intervene sometimes only after a
long period of time. The implementation of SEA in NHLP will succeed only if appropriate
environmental funding mechanisms are implemented at the level of the MAIL with portfolios for certain
key programs, such as horticulture, livestock, irrigation, on-farm water management, etc.
This situation fully justifies the inclusion of financial aspects in the budget planning of MAIL to more
substantial levels that they are at the moment. In view of the difficulties of feeding the NEPA with
national resources in order to provide support to environmental programs in MAIL, it is necessary to
seek other potential sources of funding, to include:
i) international agencies specialized and/or involved in the environment.
ii) the introduction of the ecotax and the application of the "polluter-pays".
iii) the exploration of the scheme of the carbon credit.
iv) the opportunities of direct funding by local communities and financial partners.
6.11. Strengthening Equipment and Technical Infrastructure Measures
The implementation of SEA, the monitoring and control of mitigation measures, the implementation of
the Environmental Management Framework and other related environmental monitoring activities in
NHLP need to be supported by an acquisition of equipment and technical infrastructure such as:
i) mobile equipment for water quality control.
ii) equipment for the control of emissions (gases, fumes and dust, etc.).
iii) individual equipment for protection against pesticides application effects (gloves, masks,
combinations, etc.).
iv) mini-stations for control and monitoring of meteorological parameters (wind direction,
temperature, humidity, etc.).
v) containers for storage of veterinary waste.
The acquisition of such equipment shall be accompanied by a training program of the NHLP’s
Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) personnel for their use, their handling and maintenance.
6.12. Training and Human Capacity Building Measures
The training of actors involved in the implementation of SEA is a key step that must intervene at an
early stage of the process. This training is not only for the Environment Focal Points, but also for
officials of decentralized technical services (MAIL, MRRD, MEW, etc.), ESS personnel, and
associative producer groups that can be affected by the implementation of NHLP subprojects.
These actors will have the responsibility to ensure the integration of the environmental dimension in the
achievements of NHLP subprojects, ensure monitoring, environmental control and the implementation
of the ESMF and ESMP in different NHLP subprojects. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of
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targeted actors in environmental assessment, in the control of monitoring and surveillance programs, so
that they can play their respective roles more effectively.
Thematic training sessions will be organized to enable national, regional and community structures
(involved in the monitoring of NHLP) to impregnate the SEA provisions of the environmental selection
process and will be centered on:
i) the analysis of environmental and social issues related to NHLP and agricultural
infrastructure works and equipment.
ii) Introduction of EIA and SEA as environmental decision-making procedures.
iii) the environmental control of work sites, their surveillance and monitoring.
iv) the hygiene, health and safety aspects in the NHLP subprojects.
In order to develop these training modules consistent with certain international good practices of
environmental governance, target actors will be also trained on the comparative analysis of application
to the national legislation with the guidelines of the World Bank procedures and some practical cases
known in the sub-region. To do this, trainers skilled in SEA and EIA should be recruited with the
assistance of NEPA and the Environment Cells responsible for the conduct of SEA.
The table below gives the list of themes that can be used for basic training modules.
Table 9: Training Themes Required in Environmental Assessment, SEA and EIA
CONCERNED ACTORS TRAINING THEMES
- Steering Committee to SEA
- Sectoral Environnement Cell
- Environment Focal Points
- Technical service agents and associatives groups:
DAIL, DRRD, MUNICIPALITY, NGOs, DoPH,
WUA, FA, FFA, PGA, FGA, NGA, NSD, Civil
Society, Private Sector, provincial services, district
and local communities, etc.
- Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental
Impact Assessment.
- Selection procedures and environmental
classification of programs and projects.
- Identification of impacts, selection of mitigation
measures and indicators.
- Development of the TORs and reporting analysis
procedures.
- Legislation and national environmental procedures.
- OECD and World Bank Guidelines on the SEAs.
- Environmental monitoring and implementation of
the ESMF and the ESMP.
- Monitoring of standards: hygiene, health, safety,
pesticide management.
- Safeguards procedures and World Bank
environmental policies.
6.5. Costs of Implementation and Execution of SEA
The costs of implementation of SEA in agricultural sector development are estimated at approximately
USD 2,000,000 (as indicated in the table below). They were assessed on a tentative period of five years
(2013-2018) from the costs associated with accompanying measures, such as described in the previous
sections.
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The SEA implementation costs are based on the experiences from some countries of other regions,
especially in Benin and Mali (Sub-Saharan Africa) and Tunisia (Middle East and North Africa). The
costs of environmental preservation and the ESMF implementation measures should be inserted in the
budgets of the MAIL and are not provided in the evaluation of data below.
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Table 10: Cost of Implementation of SEA
SEA Implementation Targeted Objectives Indicative
Cost (USD)
Financing Sources Implementation
Schedule
1. Measures of SEA
implementation and
execution at the strategic
level
- Implement and ensure the functionality of the Steering Committee.
- Implement and ensure the functionality of the Environment Cells at the level
of line ministries (MAIL, MRRD, MEW, etc).
- Appoint the Environment Focal Points at the level of Technical Services
concerned in line ministries and ensure their functionality.
- Recruit consultants for: the development of the ordinances, laws or directives
on SEA, the re-reading of the Ordinance on the EIAs, partial greening of the
PRSP/ANDS, the development of sectoral guides, the synthesis of practical
manuals of the SLM and IWRM, use and pesticide management manuals, etc.
300, 000 National Budget and
other resources to be
found
YEAR 1 of the SEA
approval process
2. Technical measures for
SEA implementation
- Recruit consultants to develop and ensure the implementation and
organization of training sessions for the members of the Steering Committee,
the Environment Cells and Focal Points.
- Acquire equipment for environmental control for capacity building of the
technical services of NEPA/MAIL.
- Organize training and awareness sessions of the actors at the base.
- Build up an environmental database on the agricultural sector development
with: computer equipment, meteorological mini-station, mobile equipment for
water quality and gas emission, data processing software, training, etc.
1,200,000 UNDP/UNEP/TFP YEAR 2 of the SEA
approval process
3. Additional measures for
SEA monitoring of the
process
- Ensure Monitoring of the implementation and execution of SEA-related
activities in NHLP (field trip, meetings of stakeholders, study tours on similar
programs abroad, other ad hoc activities deemed relevant to the SEA
monitoring, etc.).
- Capacity building of technical services at the provincial level, district and
local communities to closely monitor SEA implementation at the rural
community level.
- Strengthen the capacity of producer groups and local NGOs for their
involvement in the close monitoring of SEA implementation at the local level.
500,000 National Budget and
other resources to be
found
YEAR 3 and 5 of the
SEA approval process
Total cost of the SEA implementation measures in agricultural development (USD) 2,000,000 - -
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PART 7: FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of NHLP concludes in an incomplete consideration of
the protection of the environment at the strategic level, not only in the MAIL, but also in all line
ministries involved in rural development. This situation is induced not only by the low interest of the
environment in strategic orientation documents of Afghanistan (ANDS), but also by its marginalization
in environmental public policies.
Generally, the environment is not a key factor for competitiveness of the national economy in the public
policies of Afghanistan; there is a dilution of environmental concerns in sectoral programs and
sometimes they are reduced to the single natural resource management.
Finally, there is no functional analysis framework and sufficiently equipped to accompany the players in
agricultural sector in the application of the environmental governance tools, in connection with the
poverty reduction and sustainable development strategy.
To correct these deficiencies, the Afghan authorities as well as the MAIL decision-makers need to
commit themselves to improving the instruments of strategic direction in order adopt the Strategic
Environmental Assessment as a tool for planning, preservation of ecosystem and sustainable
development in some key agricultural programs, including NHLP.
This approach joins the expectations of technical and financial partners (TFP) and must allow MAIL to
capitalize the lessons from the implementation of SEA devoted to NHLP implementation and reap the
substantial benefits, to the extent that this study:
i) will serve as a reference base for other SEAs to come;
ii) will reduce delays and the steps required for the SEA implementation in other sectors;
iii) will alleviate the time and financial costs related to the achievement of other SEAs;
iv) allow to have a core of people familiar with the SEA procedures in rural development sector;
v) will allow to meet the challenges of a more strategic development cooperation;
vi) will allow to avoid costly errors in future agricultural programs planning.
vii) will allow to involve and familiarize the public and strategic actors in decision-making for better
governance.
viii) will allow to support the harmonization and alignment of donor efforts.
Also, for better consideration of SEA in the agricultural sector, the following recommendations are
issued, in collaboration with all structures and field actors met, namely:
- the political will to institutionalize the SEAs as a tool of good environmental governance and insert
it into the country’s legal and regulatory framework;
- designate a leader among rural sector’s TFP for the monitoring, the search for funding,
implementation and ownership of SEA;
- re-read the 2007 Environment Act and insert a legislative provision on SEA, applicable to other
strategic sectors such as infrastructure, extractive industry (mining, oil and gas), energy, transport,
etc., to begin the gradual greening of the ANDS.
- re-read the Ordinance on EIAs on some specific provisions and put in place a system to ensure its
effective implementation in the field as well as other legislative instruments in force.
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- put in place in MAIL an institutional framework for the implementation and execution of SEA
through: (i) a Steering Committee (SC) for the strategic supervision of SEA; (ii) Environment Cells
at the level of the sector ministries for the operationalization and the implementation of SEA; and
finally (iii) Environment Focal Points, responsible for monitoring and the implementation of the
SEA recommendations.
- develop training and capacity building program in MAIL for organizations and associative groups
responsible for SEA monitoring and implementation.
- strengthen the consultation and exchange framework for the monitoring of implementation of SEA
in the agricultural sector and improving administrative procedures for treatment of the files relating
to environmental issues at the level of the MAIL.
- involve associative groups and local communities in the implementation of SEA (training,
information, awareness-raising, technical support, etc.) through decentralized structures of the
MAIL.
- set up a database for the monitoring of certain environmental parameters of agricultural
development for better tracking of SEA (baseline, sector standards, sensitive elements,
characterization of the elements of the environment: air, water, soil, etc.).
- mobilize financial resources (national budget, the TFP and the bilateral and multilateral cooperation,
etc.) necessary for the SEA implementation.
- integrate funding for the environment and protection of natural resources in the budget
nomenclature of MAIL, NHLP, as well as in Provinces and at the District levels.
- implement the recommendations of the ESMF with regards:
- applying stringent mitigation measures advocated for the preservation of the biophysical (air,
water, soil, fauna and flora) and human (health, socio-cultural heritage, displacement and
resettlement of populations, management of conflicts of access to resources, socio-economic
aspects, etc.) environments;
- the selection and environmental liability of programs related to NHLP implementation: (i)
environmental compliance of NHLP subprojects; (ii) environmental analysis screening and
classification of subprojects; (iii) development and validation of the terms of Reference; (iv)
consultation with the public and key stakeholders, including public investigation and the
dissemination of information to stakeholders; (v) audit, monitoring and environmental
monitoring programs; (vi) compliance of programs with the view of environmental feasibility
and; finally (vii) environmental programs monitoring and surveillance.
In summary, we consider that the realization of SEA for NHLP implementation undertaken by MAIL is
a vision that corresponds to the expectations of the technical and financial partners, but which also
constitutes a strategic axis to allow ensure effective consideration of the environment into policies, plans
and programs and to strengthen the legal instruments and good environmental governance in the MAIL.
We strongly recommend a better involvement and ownership of stakeholders, to make this SEA a real
tool of environmental planning and sustainable development in Afghanistan.
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35. L’évaluation environnementale stratégique. Guide de bonnes pratiques dans le domaine de la
coopération pour le développement, OCDE, 2006
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Environment Programme Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch, 2008
39. Natural Heritage: Supplementary Planning Guidance Strategic Environmental Assessment
Environmental Report, Strategic Environmental Assessment, 2010
40. Nicholas A. Linacre, Joanne Gaskell, Mark W. Rosegrant, Jose Falck-Zepeda, Hector Quemada,
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41. Nikolaos Silleos, Georgios Zalidis, Neki Frasheri, Konstantinos Douros, Thomas Alexandridis,
Vasileios Takavakoglou, and Christos Karydas (2006): Strategic Environmental Assessment of
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45. Socioeconomic Survey & Range Use Survey of Wakhi Households Using the Afghan Pamir,
Wakhan District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s
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Future Prospects, Ministry of the Environment, CZECH Republic, 2005
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Srinivasan, Susan P. Carey, Eric Hallstein, Paul A. T. Higgins, Amber C. Kerr, Laura E.
Koteen, Adam B. Smith, Reg Watson, John Harte, and Richard B. Norgaard, Proc Natl Acad
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100
A N N E X E S
101
Annex 1. Environmental Selection Form
This selection form is designed to assist in the initial selection of activities related to the NHLP sub-
projects. The form was designed for the information between the hands of the implementers and
planners so that the environmental and social impacts and relevant mitigation measures are identified
and/or the requirements for further environmental analysis are defined. The form contains information
that will allow the structures responsible for the implementation of SEA at the level of MAIL to
determine the characteristic aspects of the biophysical and human environments to assess the potential
impacts of the sub-projects on these environments.
Environmental and Social Selection Form
1 Name of village/town/city/province where the sub-project will be
implemented
2 Name, title, function and references of the person responsible for the
filling of the form
Date Signature
Part A: Brief description of the area of influence of the sub-project - Provide information about the type and dimensions of the sub-project and/or project (area, land necessary,
approximate size of facilities, etc.);
- Describe how the installation and/or the facilities will function, including support activities and resources needed
to operate, as for example the access roads, disposal sites, water and materials needs, human resources, etc.
- Describe the institutional framework of the sub-project, the consultation and coordination mechanisms, the actors
involved, etc.
Part B: Brief description of the environmental situation and identification of the environmental and social impacts
1. Brief description of the proposed sub-project
Provide information on the technical description of the sub-project (components, activities, infrastructure, etc.).
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Description of the initial environment
(a) Describe the elements of the natural environment: soil, topography, fauna, flora, water, etc., in the area of
direct influence of the sub-project or the adjacent area to the area of the sub-project.
___________________________________________________________________________________
(b) Provide an estimate and indicate vegetation that may be affected by the sub-project.
___________________________________________________________________________________
(c) Describe the sensitive elements of the location on the environmental point of view (species
threatened or protected that could be negatively affected by the sub-project).
Natural forests unaltered: Yes______No______
Neighboring forests: Yes______No______
Humid areas (lakes , rivers, flooded areas, etc.): Yes______No______
Sub-project distance relative to the closest humid areas? _____________km
Natural habitats for which protection is required by Afghan national laws and/or international
agreements: Yes____No________
102
Other zones or sensitive areas located in the zone of influence of the program: Yes_____No______
___________________________________________________________________________________
(d) Describe the elements of the human environment: socio-economic activities, sites and cultural
heritage, economic potential of the area, health aspects, hygiene and sanitation, etc.
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Analysis of Sensitive Areas and Fragile Ecosystems
3.1. Rivers and Lakes Ecology
Is there a possibility that, because of the implementation of the sub-project, the rivers or lakes ecology is
negatively affected? Yes______ No______
3.2. Protected and Sensitive Areas
Does the area of influence of the sub-project include protected areas defined by the Government or local
communities (national park, reserve, protected site, cultural heritage, etc.)? Yes______ No______
If the facilities and infrastructure required by the sub-project are outside a protected area (or its
surroundings), are they likely to negatively affect the ecology of the protected area (for example:
interference with mammals’ migration corridors or birds)? Yes______ No______
3.3. Land Occupation
On the basis of the activities envisaged in the sub-project, is it planned to move populations and to
relocate them on other sites? Yes ______ No______
On the basis of the activities envisaged in the sub-project, is it planned to expropriate land or property
owners? Yes______ No______
3.4. Compensation and/or Land Acquisition
Land acquisition or loss, denial or restriction of access to the land or other economic resources will they
be due to the implementation of the sub-project? Yes______ No______
3.5. Loss of crops, fruit trees and domestic infrastructure
Will the implementation of the sub-project cause the temporary or permanent loss of crops, fruit trees,
or personal property? Yes___ No____
3.6. Historical, archaeological or cultural heritage sites
On the basis of available sources, consultations with local authorities, knowledge and/or local
observations, could the implementation of the sub-project affect historical, archaeological or cultural
heritage sites? Yes______ No______
3.7. Landscape/esthetic
Are there opportunities that the implementation of the sub-project adversely affected the aesthetic aspect
of the local landscape? Yes______ No______
3.8. Health, Hygiene and Security
103
Are there opportunities that the implementation of the sub-project generates risk factors that may affect
the health, hygiene and safety of the residents? Yes____ No_____
3.9. Noise Pollution and Emissions
Are there opportunities that the implementation of the sub-project generates a noise and emissions that
may affect the health of neighboring populations? Yes_____ No_____
3.10. Solid or Liquid Wastes
Will the sub-project generate solid or liquid waste? Yes______ No_____
If Yes, is there a plan for waste management, collection and disposal? Yes_____ No_____
3.11. Public Consultation
Were the consultation and participation of the public sought? Yes____ No___
If Yes, briefly describe the measures and proposals of the consulted populations.
Part C : Analysis and Environmental Selection of Sub-projects
For all sub-projects that account for more than 10% of "Yes", the subjugation procedure is triggered
systematically. In these cases, the Environment Focal Points, in consultation with the concerned
technical services (NEPA’s Directorate of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development,
MAIL’s Directorate General of Natural Resources Development and Protection, etc.), will recommend
the subjugation of the sub-project in question, submit it to the procedures of annex 1 of the EIA
Ordinance and refer to part D below for environmental analysis of the sub-project.
Part D: Procedures for Environmental Analysis of Sub-projects
Environmental analysis of sub-projects is designed to specify the category of outstanding studies,
depending on whether it is a full EIA or EIN. In this case, and according to the procedures of projects’
categorization, liability will be according to the following standards: (I) category A (detailed impact
study); (ii) category B (Environmental Impact Note).
Criteria for environmental analysis Category Comments
Sub-projects totaling between 5 and
10% of "Yes".
All category A sub-projects must be the subject of an
Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)
Sub-projects with more than 10% of
"Yes".
All programs initially classified in category B that
responded "Yes" under the headings 3.1 to 3.10, are
subject to category A
A
B
104
Annex 2: Environmental Control List
This environmental control list is designed to help the Environment Focal Points and technical services to better
appreciate the results of the analysis of the environmental selection form and adequately answer key questions
below that will allow assess the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures in the considered sub-projects.
Proposed Mitigation Measures in the Considered Sub-projects
Agricultural
Sub-projects
Questions to be answered to complete
environmental selection form
YES NO Comments
Implementation
and operation
phases of sub-
projects
1. Will there be loss of any vegetation
during the implementation or
operation of activities related to the
sub-project?
2. Are there adequate services for the
disposal of wastes provided during the
implementation or the execution of the
sub-project?
3. Will prevention, safety and rescue
equipment be available for the
implementation of the sub-project?
4. Are there risks of pollution of the
groundwater or surface waters by the
activities of the sub-project?
5. Are there sensitive ecological areas in
the vicinity of the area of operation
that may be impacted negatively?
6. Are there impacts on the health of the
neighboring residents and staff of
implementation and operation of the
sub-project?
7. Are there Visual impacts caused by
the sub-project on the natural
landscape?
8. Are there emissions that can come
from the refuse of waste from the sub-
project activities?
9. Are there human settlements, or sites
of cultural, religious or historical
importance, which are likely to be
affected by the sub-project?
10. Will the sub-project require population
displacement?
If Yes, use the checklists of the
mitigation measures proposed in
the ESMF and recommend the
subjugation of the sub-project to
the regulatory procedures
required in the matter
105
Annex 3: Indicators of Environmental and Social Monitoring in SEA (Natural
Environment) Environmental
components
Monitoring
elements
Types of indicators and items to
collect
Monitoring
periodicity
Monitoring
personnel
Waters
State of water
resources (quality,
quantity,
availability, etc.)
Physicochemical and
bacteriological water analysis
(pH, BOD, COD heavy metals,
bacteria, pesticides, nitrates...)
Pollution
Eutrophication
Sedimentation, hydrological
regime
State of flooding
Monitoring of ground waters
Monitoring of aquatic vegetation
Semester
Technical
services of
water analysis
Laboratory,
MoPH, NEPA
Operations
Groups
Air
Emission levels
in the water,
hydro-
agricultural and
related
infrastructure
Emissions control (fumes, dusts)
Health control and epidemiological
investigations on the respiratory
diseases in the neighboring areas
wearing of adequate protective
equipment
Control and reduction of
emissions equipment (individual
masks, dust collector, installation
of filters on some equipment, etc.)
Application of prevention
guidelines and labor law
Semester
The health
control law
enforcement,
MoPH, NEPA
Community
health centers
The Labor
Inspection
services
Soils
State of the soil
and land Erosion/gullies
Control phenomena of
salinization, waterlogging and
alkalinization
Valued areas
Abandoned areas
Fallow areas
Annual
Technical
services of MAIL
Protection of
Nature, NEPA
Research (ARIA)
Producer groups
and NGOs
local
communities
Behavior and
land use
Sensitivity to wind and water
erosion (in affected area)
State and main crop yields
Crop type
Annual
Vegetation/Fauna
Evolution of
fauna, flora,
biodiversity and
the natural
ecology
Rate of degradation of the
vegetation cover
Rate of reforestation
Evolution of vegetation types
Biomass Production
Rate of soil recovery
Reforestation actions, in defense
and development of wooded areas
Annual
Technical
services of
Protection of
nature NEPA
Producer
Groups and
NGOs
106
Clearing and deforestation (rate and
conversion of forests for other
uses)
Habitat alteration and conversion of
land for other uses
Level of implementation of the
poaching control measures
Level of control of wildlife fauna
development (settlement,
migration, appearance, reduction,
loss, endangered, etc.) in the area
State of the avifauna (frequency,
loss, decrease, etc.)
State of the plant biotopes
State of aquatic vegetation
Communities
107
Annex 4: Environmental and Social Monitoring Indicators in SEA Framework
(Production Systems)
Monitoring Elements Types of indicators and items to collect Monitoring
Periodicity
Monitoring
personnel
Typology of investments Traditional irrigation system (canals)
Drip irrigation system
Sprinkler irrigation system
Annual
NEPA
MAIL, MRRD
NHLP, OFWM
ARIA
Producer Groups
DAIL
Local ONGs
Evolution of techniques
and agricultural
performance, sanitation
and water supply
State of the cultivated areas and
productions
State of cultural practices
Adoption of production techniques
Volume of consumed inputs (pesticides,
herbicides, fertilizers)
Rate of adoption of integrated management
methods (SLM, IWRM, IPM, etc.)
Rate of consumption of organic manure
Areas in biological cultivation
Waste management (liquid, solid, effluents,
etc.) from processing activities
Rate of recovery of by-products of
processing industries
percentage of firms respecting environ-
mental provisions in their construction sites
Effects due to pesticides
Levels of contamination by pesticides on
receiving environments: local populations,
livestock, fauna, flora, air, soil, water, etc.
Epidemiological investigation on the
effects of pesticides
Application of pesticide management
procedures
Livestock and local
practices
Consistency of the herd to the capabilities
of the forage areas
State of natural resources and the
environment in the animal trail areas and
around water points and pastoral
installation
Level of implementation of best practices
on the pastoral route guides
Conditions and facilities for livestock
access to water and forage resources
Status of cohabitation between ranchers
and farmers in the occupation of space
Types and kinds of conflicts between
different users of natural resources (water,
land, space, etc.)
State of animal health and access to VFUs
State of backyard poultry in NHLP areas
Fishery Resources
State of fisheries resources in NHLP areas
Levels of contamination by pesticides on
receiving environments: local populations,
fauna, flora, air, soil, water, etc.
Water contamination by effluents (sewage)
108
Annex 5: Environmental and Social Monitoring Indicators in SEA Framework (Human
Environment)
Monitoring Elements Types of indicators and items to collect Monitoring
Periodicity
Monitoring personnel
Hygiene, health, pollution
and nuisances, and security
during operations and
works
Efficiency of the systems of waste
collection, transport and disposal
Wearing of adequate protective
equipment
Compliance with hygiene measures,
health and safety in waste disposal and
management of sites
Presence of vectors and appearance of
water-borne diseases
Presence of disease vectors and actions
to control waterborne diseases
STD/HIV/AIDS prevalence
Epidemiological surveillance on water-
borne and lung diseases
Rate of prevalence of waterborne
diseases (Malaria, Schistosomiasis,
Diarrhea, etc.)
Compliance with hygiene practices on
sites
Number of poisonings related to the use
of pesticides
Availability and application of safety
recommendations in case of accidents
Number of displaced and resettled
populations and applied procedures
Types and forms of compensation for
displacement of populations
Types of infrastructure in resettlement
areas
Types and nature of cultural heritage
resources in agricultural areas
Finding of the technical services of
NEPA, responsible for the preservation
of the cultural heritage and
archaeological sites
Annual
The health control law
enforcement (MoPH)
Technical services
responsible for the
preservation of the
cultural heritage and
archaeological sites
(NEPA)
Community health
centers (MoPH)
Local communities
NGOs
Services responsible
for social affairs
Technical services in
charge of the housing
Traditional rulers,
Elders, Mollahs
Opinion leaders
populations Displacements
and resettlement
socio-economic Aspects
109
Annex 6: Environmental Requirements to Insert in the Call for Tender (CFT)
The current terms are intended to help the people in charge of the preparation of records of calls for
tenders (CFT) or markets for execution of the work related to the water and agricultural development
program (bid, notebook of the special requirements - NSR - or the notebook of technical requirements -
NTR, etc.), so that they can integrate in these documents specific requirements to enable optimize the
environmental protection and the socio-economic environment.
These terms are applicable to all activities of construction site that may adversely affect natural
resources or be sources of environmental nuisances to local populations. It should be noted that these
requirements apply specifically to the operators of construction sites within water and rural/agricultural
development sectors; they will serve as operational guides on the ground and are no substitute for an
Environmental Impact Study.
A6.1. Environmental and Social Aspects to be included in the Bid
The bidder should propose in its offer: (i) a plan of realization of activities, including the measures to be
taken to protect the environment; (ii) the state of the work of reclamation and a methodological
statement describing how he will manage to avoid the negative effects and minimize the unavoidable
impacts; (iii) a plan of realization and implementation of the measures advocated in the ESMP of SEA
A6.2. Environmental Aspects to be Included in the NSR
General Requirements
The winner of the market will have to respect and enforce existing laws and regulations on environment
in force in Afghanistan. In the daily organization of its construction site, it must commit himself to take
all appropriate measures to minimize the effects of works on the environment, by applying the
requirements of the contract, and he/she must ensure that his/her personnel and subcontractors comply
with and apply these requirement effectively.
Program Implementation
Within a period of 30 days from the notification of the award of the contract, the contractor shall
develop and submit to the approval of the sponsor Ministry or the representative of the master of work a
detailed environmental management program with the following indications: (i) staff organization
management chart with clear identification of the person (s) responsible for the environmental and
social management of the project; (ii) a waste management plan (type of waste, collection mode, mode
and place of storage, mode and disposal site, etc.); (iii) a water management plan (mode and source of
supply, used flows, releases...), planned treatment system for waste water, the disposition site and the
intended control type; (iv) a general description of the methods that the licensee proposes to adopt to
reduce the impact on the physical and biological environment of each phase of work.
Environmental Journal of the Work Site
The daily log of the work must include all records of accidents and/or events giving rise to a significant
impact on the environment and/or on the riparian populations as well as the corrective measures that
have been applied.
110
Safety of the Construction Sites
The holder will be subject to specific schemes for occupational health, hygiene and safety as defined by
the regulations in force in Afghanistan and organize a security and emergency mechanism adapted to
the size of his/her staff and the specificity of the field operation.
Employment of the Local Workforce
The contractor is required to hire (except for technical management personnel) the most possible labor
in the area where the work is carried out- failure to find qualified on-site personnel he is authorized to
hire the labor force outside the work area.
Protection of Construction Site Staff
The contractor shall provide his/her workers with proper and necessary safety equipment: dust masks,
anti-noise helmet, safety footwear, combination against products phytosanitary, gloves, etc.
Information note Internal to the Company
The company must develop an internal information note to educate workers on the preservation of
natural resources and cultural monuments and sites, the prohibition of hunting and transportation of
poaching products, Bush fires and wood cuts.
Houses and Infrastructure Demolition Procedures
The contractor should inform and sensitize the concerned populations prior to any demolition activity of
houses and infrastructure and to set the terms of compensation, in collaboration with the affected people
and local officials. It will commit and ensure that compensation is effectively fixed and paid to rights
holders, before any demolition, in agreement with the involved stakeholders.
Protective Measures against Noise
The contractor is required to limit the noise of construction site likely to seriously disturb the
neighboring residents, either by overly long, or by their extension outside the normal hours of work. All
operations that may constitute sources of noise must, before be commenced, be subject to an agreement
with the control engineer, with a view to minimize the discomfort for residents.
Protective Measures against Emissions
The Deposits and other possible modes of storage of fuel, lubricants or hydrocarbon, as well as
maintenance of the equipment by the contractor facilities, must comply with the requirements relating to
these types of installations and comply with the standards in force in Afghanistan.
Protective Measures for Water Resources
The contractor shall prevent any spill or discharge of sewage, sludge, oil and pollutants of any nature in
surface or underground waters, sewers, ditches and drainage or to the rivers.
Mesures de lutte contre l’ensablement
The company must intervene preventively before the rainy season and relieve all solid waste and
products clogging pipes and water flow. Waste must be deposited outside the grip of streams, at suitable
111
locations requiring not cleaning and not impeding the flow of water. Deposits should be provided on a
reduced thickness, in order to avoid the formation of sand dunes.
Waste Management Measures
The receptacles for receiving the waste will have to be installed in different parts of the construction site
and will need to be emptied periodically. The contractor shall implement a system of waste collection,
so as to avoid all potential nuisances on the surrounding environment. Equipment washing and
maintenance areas will be concreted and equipped with a cesspool of oils and fats recovery. Waste oil
must be stored in drums to store in a secure location pending their recovery for other potential uses.
Procedures for Withdrawal from the Construction Site
Upon completion of the work, the contractor will perform all work necessary for the rehabilitation of the
sites. The contractor shall withdraw all its equipment, machinery and materials. He must not abandon
any equipment or material on the site or in the vicinity. After the withdrawal of equipment, a
record/minutes noting the reclamation of the site shall be prepared and attached to the minutes of the
receipt of the work.
Reception of the work (Partial Reception - Final Acceptance)
To ensure a better application of current proceedings, non-compliance of current terms in the execution
of a work site exposes the offender to the refusal of approval of the minutes of interim or final reception
of the work and the blocking of the retention of good end guaranty. The execution of each
environmental measure will have to be subject to a partial acceptance and the obligations of the holder
will run until final acceptance of the work which will be acquired only after complete performance of
the work of improving the environment provided for in the contract, and after conclusion of repair of
reported damage.
Notification
Any distortion to requirements duly notified to the company by the control an offence must be righted.
The resumption of work or additional work arising from the failure of the clauses will be the
responsibility of the contractor and its subcontractors.
112
Annex 7: Terms of Reference of SEA
Strategic Environmental Assessment of Agricultural Sector Development in Afghanistan
National Context
The latest NRVA survey (Spring 2007) indicates that 42 percent of the population lives below the CBN
poverty line. That is, almost half of the Afghan population is unable to purchase a basic food basket to
provide 2,100 calories consumption per day. Poverty levels in Afghanistan vary by season. This further
compounds the understanding of poverty in Afghanistan. The Food Security Monitoring Survey
(FSMS) suggests that households tend to have the richest consumption in summer following the harvest,
with more restricted food consumption during winter, especially in March.
The 2005 NRVA highlighted that 20 percent of the population are located very close to the poverty line,
indicating high vulnerability. Even small consumption shocks can result in substantially higher rates of
poverty. For instance, a 5 percent reduction in consumption across the board will cause the poverty
headcount rate to rise from 33 to 38 percent. According to the 2005 NRVA, a 25 percent upward shift
in the poverty line would result in 53 percent of the population living in poverty. Meanwhile, a 25
percent downward shift in the poverty lines would reduce the poverty rate to 14 percent.
Afghanistan has the lowest level of inequality in South Asia as measured by the Gini coefficient. This
however is largely due to the widespread nature of poverty across the country. However, within
Afghanistan, significant inequality does exist between many segments of Afghan society. The variation
in poverty between the rural, Kuchi and urban populations is significant and of great importance.
Meanwhile, gender inequality is one of the highest in the world.
Poverty also varies significantly between provinces. Poverty headcount rates vary from around 10
percent to more than 70 percent, with poverty more severe in the Northeast, Central Highlands and parts
of the Southeast.
Entire provinces like Daikundi, Badakhshan, Zabul and Paktika represent large pockets of poverty.
The 2005 NRVA indicates a significant disparity in poverty between rural people and the Kuchi
population compared to urban populations. Around 45 percent of rural and Kuchi populations appear to
be poor as opposed to 27 percent of those who live in urban areas. Rural populations have the highest
rates of food insecurity, with 45 percent not meeting daily minimum food requirements. Moreover, it is
noted that 40 percent and 41 percent of the Kuchi and of urban population respectively are also unable
to meet their minimum food intake
Agriculture and rural development
Despite some progress in establishing better governance of the country’s natural resources, a lot still
needs to be done. People’s high dependence on natural resources has increased with rising poverty
resulting in serious devastation of the environment. Forests have been seriously depleted. This
adversely affects soil stability and weakens flood protection. According to the 2005 NRVA the
consumption of the poorest in natural resources is the highest in summer while it typically falls to
critical levels in winter.
Regarding water and its use in agriculture, the irrigation sector and the rehabilitation of existing assets
show that a lot more needs to be done. Prior to 1979, some 3.3 million hectares were cultivated under
various irrigation methods, compared to the 1.8 million hectares now being irrigated. The remaining
amount employs traditional irrigation methods. Out of 7.9 million hectares arable land, 5.3 million
hectares is irrigable. Irrigation water management is a high priority of the Government.
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For agriculture, the main environmental issues appear to fall today in the area of irrigated crops. The
development of irrigated agriculture has indeed exacerbated the pressures on the environment. The
hydro-agricultural facilities made cheaply and without compliance with minimum technical design
standards, operation and maintenance (bad planning, lack of drainage, inadequate water management,
increased use of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals) have promoted the biological and chemical
degradation of soil (soil waterlogging, salinity and alkalinization, loss of fertility, development of
weeds) and the contamination of waters and soils by pesticides. For livestock, several major problems
can be tackled:
Pasture, bush, and forests around the country have been severely affected by unsustainable
management. Customary access to pasture, particularly in conditions of environmental
degradation, poverty, post-conflict and unclear ownership, does not give pastoralists or families
sufficient security of land and resource tenure and access to ensure that they will reap the
benefits of any investments made.
Rangelands, for example, therefore suffer from a ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ type situation
where it is logical for livestock owners in any one season to ensure that their livestock
consumes as much of the pasture as possible in as short a time as possible – if they do not do
this then other herds may use the pasture land
They are particularly susceptible to the impacts of desertification and drought, both in terms of
the productivity of livestock and that of rainfed crop production. Rangelands are essential for
Kuchi pastoralists (estimated to comprise up to 20 percent of the rural population) and for a
large part of the settled population who derive their income from animal rearing and
employment in the livestock industry.
Due to the desertification of the country’s 37.3 % barren mountainous areas, the 45.2% (over 30
million hectares) of land in permanent pasture, mostly situation on the slope (sometimes steep)
of the mountains, are under the pressure of some about 4 million cattle and over 30 million
sheep and goats which graze here, beyond the carrying capacity of the rangeland, leading to
overgrazing and alteration of the pasture land.
It is thought that scope exists to increase the efficiency of water use in those areas currently irrigated,
and to expand areas under irrigation in a sustainable manner that conserves the natural resource base and
contributes to the rehabilitation of degraded areas.
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Annex 8: Terms of Reference of National Consultants
SEA - National Consultant for Agricultural Sector (Horticulture & Livestock) Development
Terms of Reference
A. Task of the Consultant
1. Identify all the recent reports (after 2002) and relevant documents on agriculture (horticulture
& Livestock) and socio-economic-related aspects in Afghanistan.
2. List policies and legal instruments in force (as well as the instruments of environmental
governance, e.g. EIA, ESMP, etc.) relating to agricultural sector development and its socio-
economic aspects (subsidies and taxation) in Afghanistan; perform an analysis (table indicating
the objectives, strengths and weaknesses, the level of application, etc.); write a summary.
3. Describe and analyze the mechanisms set in place (goals, strengths and weaknesses) that
organize the access to land, land management and relevant socio-economic aspects relating to
Afghanistan.
4. Identify the institutional actors involved and describe their respective roles in agricultural
development and its socio-economic aspects in Afghanistan; carry out an analysis (table
indicating strengths and weaknesses, collaborations and existing synergies, overlaps,
duplicates, etc.); write a summary.
5. Describe the existing consultation and coordination frameworks for the management of
agricultural sector and its socio-economic aspects (central, regional and local levels), including
the role of technical and Financial partners (TFP), NGOs and socio-professional associations,
etc.; carry out an analysis of these mechanisms (objectives, strengths and weaknesses); write a
summary.
6. Describe the current state of the agricultural sector in Afghanistan and specify specific agro-
ecological regions.
7. Provide a summary table of agricultural production, major speculation and the production of
livestock farming over the past five years (including, where appropriate, relevant schemas and
maps).
8. Provide a synthetic analysis of trends on observed in agricultural production and livestock over
the past decade and identify the main constraints and causes identified.
9. Describe the socio-economic activities in relation to agricultural development and analyze
trends (in physical and monetary terms: quantity produced, share of GDP, jobs, etc.).
10. Present socio-economic indicators in relation to agricultural development (see the objectives of
the Millennium development goals: e.g. demography, density, income, jobs including the
informal sector, infrastructure, health and hygiene, education, etc.) over the past five years.
11. Describe the constraints and socio-economic opportunities in relation to agricultural
development (physical, institutional, legal, or even for development).
12. Identify the major socio-economic challenges in relation to agricultural development (in terms
of development strategy, poverty reduction, modernization).
13. Provide a synthesis of the measures implemented (programs and projects) for agricultural
development and to promote socio-economic development in Afghanistan.
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14. Describe and analyze the objectives and the strengths and weaknesses of the previous
programs (2003-2007) and ongoing (as of 2008) initiated in the agricultural sector and the
improvement of the relevant socio-economic conditions relating to Afghanistan.
15. Describe the sources of pressure (including socio-economic activities) and relevant potential
factors affecting agricultural and socio-economic aspects relating in the specific agro-
ecological zone of Afghanistan; give relevant statistics relating.
16. Describe the major issues (in terms of strategy) in relation to the agricultural sector
(horticulture and livestock) and its links to other priority areas of Afghanistan (poverty
reduction, improve relevant socio-economic conditions relating, modernization).
17. In the framework of an improvement of the management of the agricultural sector and for
improvement of living conditions (including access to resources and rural services) in the
specific agro-ecological zone (including indigenous knowledge acquired by local populations),
to make suggestions and/or recommendations:
a. for an improved management of agricultural sector and relevant socio-economic-related
conditions;
b. for an adaptation of the legal and institutional framework to improve the management of the
agricultural sector;
c. for a strengthening of the management capacities of institutions.
B. Outline of the report to develop:
- Submit a report summary tiered 25 pages (without annexes) in electronic format.
- Put together in electronic format about 30-50 characteristic photos relating to the theme of
agricultural development and related socio-economic aspects.
- Cite the source of all the exploited documents, statistics and cards inserted.
- Provide the list of all references and documents consulted.
- Provide the list of abbreviations and acronyms.
Note: During recommendations, specifically establish the linkage between the suggested measures, their
adaptation to the specific agro-ecological region of the country, the relevant institutions and
highlight the elements justifying these measures.
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SEA - National Consultant for Water Sector
Terms of Reference
A. Tasks of the Consultant
1. Identify all the recent reports (after 2002) and relevant documents on the theme water and
socio-economic-related aspects in Afghanistan.
2. List policies and legal instruments in force (as well as the instruments of environmental
governance, e.g. EIA, ESMP, etc.) relating to the management of water resources and their
socio-economic aspects (subsidies and taxation) in Afghanistan; perform an analysis (table
indicating the objectives, strengths and weaknesses, the level of application, etc.); write a
summary.
3. Identify the institutional actors involved and describe their respective roles in water resources
management in Afghanistan; perform an analysis (table indicating the responsibilities,
strengths and weaknesses, collaborations and existing synergies, overlaps and duplicates, etc.);
write a summary.
4. Describe consultation and coordination framework existing for the water resources
management (central, provincial and local levels), including the role of technical and Financial
partners (PTF), NGOs and socio-professional associations, etc.; perform an analysis of these
mechanisms (objectives, strengths and weaknesses); write a summary.
5. Describe the current state of water resources in the main drainage basins and groundwater
aquifers and groundwater of Afghanistan (potential, availability, quality, use, etc.).
6. Describe the socio-economic activities in relation to the area of water and analyze the trends
(in physical and monetary terms: quantity produced, share of GDP, jobs, etc.).
7. Present socio-economic indicators in relation to the area of water (see the objectives of the
Millennium development goals: e.g. demography, density, income, jobs included the informal
sector, infrastructure, health and hygiene, education, etc.) over the past five years.
8. Describe the socio-economic opportunities and constraints (physical, institutional, legal, or
even development) in connection with the field of water.
9. Identify the major socio-economic challenges (in terms of development strategy, poverty
reduction, modernization) in connection with the field of water.
10. Give a summary of the resources available (over five years) in groundwater and surface water,
including relevant schemas and maps.
11. Analyze sources of pressure (including socio-economic activities) and describe the potential
factors that affect the quality and quantity of water resources; provide relating statistics.
12. Perform the synthesis of the measures put in place (programs and projects) to the integrated
management of water resources and access to drinking water, sanitation and to promote socio-
economic development in Afghanistan (at the central, provincial and local levels), a synthetic
inventory of water infrastructure, characterize their workings (also identify dysfunctional),
sanitation problems, etc..
13. Describe and analyze the objectives as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the previous
(2003-2007) programs and ongoing (as of 2008) initiated in the framework of water resources
management and while highlighting improvements in socio-economic relating conditions in
Afghanistan.
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14. Identify major issues (in terms of strategy) in relation to the integrated water resource
management, socio-economic related-aspects and their linkages with other priority areas of
Afghanistan (poverty reduction, modernization)..
15. In the framework of improving the hydraulic sector management in Mauritania and the socio-
economic relating conditions, provide suggestions and/or recommendations:
a. for an improved management of agricultural sector and relevant socio-economic-related
conditions;
b. for an adaptation of the legal and institutional framework to improve the management of the
agricultural sector;
c. for a strengthening of the management capacities of institutions.
B. Outline of the report to develop:
- Submit a report summary tiered 25 pages (without annexes) in electronic format.
- Put together in electronic format about 30-50 characteristic photos relating to the theme of
agricultural development and related socio-economic aspects.
- Cite the source of all the exploited documents, statistics and cards inserted.
- Provide the list of all references and documents consulted.
- Provide the list of abbreviations and acronyms.
Note: During recommendations, specifically establish the linkage between the suggested measures, their
adaptation to the specific agro-ecological region of the country, the relevant institutions and
highlight the elements justifying these measures.
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SEA - National Consultant for the Biophysical Environment
Terms of Reference
A. Tasks of the Consultant
1. Identify all the recent reports and relevant documents on agriculture (horticulture & Livestock)
and biophysical environment in Afghanistan.
2. List policies and the directory of national and international legal instruments, conventions and
framework agreements related to the sector of environment in Afghanistan; carry out an
analysis (goals, forces and weaknesses, application, etc.); make a synthesis.
3. Identify the institutional actors involved in the sector of environment (at the central, provincial
and local level) and describe their roles in the preservation of natural resources; perform
analysis (table indicating the objectives, strengths and weaknesses, collaborations and potential
synergies, overlaps, etc.); write a summary.
4. Describe the existing consultation and coordination frameworks for the preservation of natural
resources in Afghanistan (national, and local levels), including the role of technical and
Financial partners (TFP), NGOs and socio-professional associations, etc.; carry out an analysis
of these mechanisms (objectives, strengths and weaknesses); write a summary.
5. Describe and analyze the major biophysical features of Afghanistan: climate, temperature,
precipitations, winds, agro-ecological zones, soils, vegetation, fauna, and insert the relevant
maps required in the matter.
6. Describe the current state of the environment in Afghanistan and to make a synthesis of the
environmental profile of the country, including the environment-poverty analysis, highlighting
the major environmental challenges for agricultural development sector (remediation, levels of
emissions, waste, urban and rural pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, soil salinization,
desertification, etc.).
7. Describe ecologically sensitive areas, areas and protected species (insert maps).
8. Describe the effects of the environmental degradation due to anthropogenic factors affecting
water resources and the agricultural sector in the past ten years.
9. Describe the sources of pressure and potential factors currently affecting natural resources in
Afghanistan: wildlife fauna, forest masses, mangroves, natural lakes, etc.
10. Describe and analyze the objectives as well as forces and weaknesses of past and current
programs initiated in the framework of preservation of the environment, fragile ecosystems,
protected areas, soils, water and biodiversity.
11. In the framework for the improvement of the management of agricultural sector development
(including indigenous knowledge acquired by local populations), to make recommendations
and/or suggestions:
a. for better taking into account the environment.
b. for an adaptation of the legal and institutional framework in relation to the management of
the environment.
c. for a strengthening of the environmental management capacity of the institutions.
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B. Outline of the report to develop:
- Submit a report summary tiered 50 pages (without annexes) in electronic format.
- Put together in electronic format about 30-50 characteristic photos relating to the theme of
agricultural development and related socio-economic aspects.
- Cite the source of all the exploited documents, statistics and cards inserted.
- Provide the list of all references and documents consulted.
- Provide the list of abbreviations and acronyms.
Note: During recommendations, specifically establish the linkage between the suggested measures, their
adaptation to the specific agro-ecological region of the country, the relevant institutions and
highlight the elements justifying these measures.
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Annex 9: Mandate and Responsibilities of the SEA Steering Committee
Responsibilities and mandate of the Steering Committee (SC) in SEA
Terms of Reference
Represent the concerned departmental structures to ensure a close monitoring of the SEA process, in
particular in sectors covering agriculture, livestock, and provide outreach to other Ministries’
Directorates.
- Participate in the whole process of SEA implementation in agricultural sector (meeting of
consultation, consultation with stakeholders, information, awareness-raising, etc.).
- Support the national consultants in the collection of supporting documents (policy and
agricultural strategy documents, legislation and regulations, institutional aspects, etc.).
- Participate in the consultation meetings with line ministries involved in the SEA.
- Facilitate meetings between stakeholders and national consultants.
- Participate in the framing and validation of SEA reports meetings.
- Do the relay with stakeholders (technical services, NGOs, TFP, associative groups, etc.) for
the dissemination of information concerning SEA and the implementation of the
recommendations.
- Plead with the authorities for a consideration of SEA in policies, plans and programs (PPP).
- Ensure the Council support to the Government and TFP on SEA.
- Ensure the extension and dissemination of SEA tools to the various line ministries.
- Do the lobbying to the TFP and the Government for the mobilization of necessary funds for
the implementation of SEA in Afghanistan.
- Insure the interface role for information and awareness of the decentralized technical services
and the concerned local authorities.
- Monitor the implementation of SEA and prepare synthetic notes thereto.
- Assess needs and means to resources to make available (to integrate into the costs of
implementation of SEA) for the implementation of the SC activities: training, visits to sites,
monitoring, information and awareness campaigns, dissemination and archiving of data, etc.
- Define the role and the mandate of the members.
- Develop an action plan and a work timetable, consistent with the SEA process.
The Steering Committee must be composed of high level representatives (one representative by
Ministry) of:
- National Environmental Protection Agency
- Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
- Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
- Ministry of Energy and Water
- Ministry of Public Health
- Ministry of Mines and industry
- Ministry of the Interior and Security
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development
- Ministry of Transport
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- Ministry of Land and Urban Development
- Leader of the TFP intervening in the Environment Sector
- UNDP/UNEP
Note: The Steering Committee will be able to appeal to any structure or any resource person whose
skills are enriching contributions and to facilitate the achievement of expected results.