Wildlife Conservation and Hunting Act.

This Act sets provisions to regulate affairs related to animal survival, wildlife species’ conservation and hunting in Afghanistan. The Act consists of 30 articles, which divided into 6 Chapters: General Provisions (I); Wildlife Conservation and Generation Protection (II); Hunting Permit (III); Hunting Obstacles (IV); Responsibilities of Hunting Ground’s Authorities (V); Miscellaneous Provisions (VI). The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock is the authority responsible to implement the provisions of this Act and to regulate any matters related to wildlife conservation and hunting in the country. The Act classifies Afghanistan’s wildlife areas to four main categories: prohibited areas, permitted areas, shelter areas, and protected areas. Any change in natural wildlife areas only is possible with the approval of the wildlife specialists. Taking photos, gathering information and collecting flora and fauna samples is forbidden in all four categories of wildlife areas. Hunting is prohibited in the country, unless for whom owning hunting permits. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock is the authority eligible to issue hunting permits for animals and birds hunting. The hunting permit should contain the hunter’s initial information, validity duration, the name of hunting tool, permitted type and quantity of hunts, and allowed time for hunting. Issuance of hunting permit is only possible for hunters who can prove their hunting skills. Carrying hunting arms requires a separate permit which will be issued by Ministry of Interior Affairs. The prohibited and permitted areas for hunting, as well as the list of prohibited and permitted animals for hunting, will be introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock. Hunting is always prohibited in the following areas: areas which are in the emergency condition, borders’ special zone, surrounding military areas, residential areas, hospitals, and resorts. Hunting is always prohibited in following times: when an outbreak is reported amongst wild animals, in time of animal and birds’ pregnancy and laying, and in public emergency situation. Hunting of rare species of wild animals and birds is forbidden and hunting grounds’ authorities are required to prevent such hunting strictly. Using following gears and methods for hunting is forbidden: digging a pit, use of motorized vehicles, mass hunting of invincible animals, drying water for hunting aquatic animals, use of explosives, and use of toxic and chemical substances. The hunting ground’s authorities, which determined by Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, are obligated to: prevent hunting without hunting permit, protect prohibited wildlife areas, ensure compliance of hunting regulations, and refer offenders to the judicial authorities.