A recent report called "Sustainable Land Management 2007" by Afghanistan's Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MoAF) warns of a serious environmental crisis, with grave consequences for millions if the country's degrading environment continues to be ignored. The report notes that:

• more than 80% of Afghanistan's land could be subject to soil and wind erosion;
• soil fertility is declining;
• salinisation is on the increase;
• water tables have dramatically fallen; and
• de-vegetation is extensive.

The reasons are many:

• more than 26 years of armed conflict;
• population displacement;
• extended drought;
• misuse of natural resources;
• lack of a law enforcement authority; and
• lack of appropriate policies for the environment.

The impact over the past 20 years is serious:

• 70% of forests lost;
• 50% of farms not cultivated;
• 1,000's of hectares of land covered by moving sands in southern and southwestern provinces; and
• the volume of agricultural produce down by 50%.