Rising Amu Darya Waters Destroy Farmlands in Takhār’s Dasht-e Qala District
Residents of Dasht-e Qala district in Takhār province warn that with increasing temperatures and rising waters of the Amu Darya River, dozens of acres of farmland, forests, and parts of the country’s soil are being destroyed annually, and this trend is intensifying. Locals say that if the advance of the river is not halted, more areas will be submerged in the coming years, causing widespread economic and livelihood damage to residents. Many of the lands that have been the main source of income for families are now either destroyed or at risk.
Meanwhile, local officials in Takhār under Taliban administration say that plans to protect agricultural lands are under review. Mohammad Arif Arif, spokesperson for the Takhār governor, stated that proposals for protection and maintenance projects have been sent to the central authorities, and there is hope these projects will be approved and implemented.
However, local residents criticize that the promises so far have not led to tangible action, and the lack of immediate protective projects indicates the Taliban administration’s neglect of one of the most serious livelihood challenges facing people in northeastern Afghanistan.
The Amu Darya River, originating from the Pamir Mountains in Badakhshan, causes extensive financial damage and occasional loss of life each year during the water rise season as it passes through the provinces of Badakhshan, Takhār, and Kunduz.
