National Environment Strategy.

The National Environment Strategy is a sectoral national strategy document of Afghanistan. It applies for the period of 2008-2013. Its main objective is to improve the quality of life of the people of Afghanistan through conservation, protection and improvement of the country’s environment.
The Strategy provides that, by end-2010, the necessary institutional, regulatory and incentive framework to increase production and productivity will be established to create an enabling environment for legal agriculture and agriculture-based rural industries, and public investment in agriculture will increase by 30 percent. Additionally, according to the Strategy, particular consideration will be given to perennial horticulture, animal health and food security by instituting specialised support agencies and financial service delivery mechanisms, supporting farmers’ associations, branding national products, disseminating timely price and weather-related information and statistics, providing strategic research and technical assistance, and securing access to irrigation and water management systems.
It also notes that, by end-2010, rural development will be enhanced comprehensively for the benefit of 19 million people in over 38,000 villages. This will be achieved through the election of at least a further 14,000 voluntary community development councils in all remaining villages, promoting local governance and community empowerment. Access to safe drinking water will be extended to 90% of villages and sanitation to 50%. Road connectivity will reach 40% of all villages, increasing access to markets, employment and social services. 47% of villages will benefit from small-scale irrigation. 800,000 households (22% of all Afghanistan’s households) will benefit from improved access to financial services. Finally, livelihoods of at least 15% of the rural population will be supported through the provision of 91 million labour days.
In order to implement these strategic objectives, the document proposes the following actions: (1) Community based natural resource management principles should be incorporated into rural development initiatives; (2) Development of environment resource management and dispute resolution capability at the community and district levels should be encouraged; (3) Environmental impact assessments must be undertaken in accordance with the Environment Law and EIA regulations of the country in regard to rural infrastructure projects; (4) The air and water quality, waste management and pollution control regulations and management services and natural resource policies will also apply to rural development; (5) Environmental public awareness raising is required in rural areas.
The Strategy also touches upon the issue of disaster management. In particular, with regard to humanitarian and disaster response, it notes that, by end-2010, an effective system of disaster preparedness and response will be in place. In addition, according to it, the environmental dimensions of disasters, especially in relation to mitigation of and response to natural and industrial disasters, need to be incorporated into relevant policies and plans. Natural resource management policies, legislation and programmes will contribute to disaster mitigation and subsequent rehabilitation.
The Strategy notes that Technical Working Groups play a crucial role in ensuring issues encountered in the implementation of programs and ministerial/sectoral strategies are effectively addressed. Consultative Groups shall effectively address the issues and meet their obligation of reporting to the Oversight Committee and Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board on progress in fulfilling the high-level benchmarks.