celebrating world nature conservation day

World nature conservation day was celebrated by the ENRMN in Park Shar-e Naw Kabul, to raise awareness about the importance of working for a healthy environment. The panel composed of the Director of NEPA Kabul Department, Experts of NEPA Climate Change Directorate, ECO Gule Morsal Private Paper Recycling Factory, ENMRN Representative, Deputy Director Kabul Municipality Cleaning Directorate, Representative of the Oxygen Group, and TLO representative. During the event, concerns were raised about the adverse impacts of the climate change in the forms of droughts, flooding, unexpected rains, downing of the underground water-table, inappropriate management of the solid waste, air pollution, and other key issues were discussed.

“ENRMN has mobilized citizens and facilitated a number of advocacy campaigns about improvement of the environment and proper management of the natural resources.” “ENRMN is advocating that the problem of environment is a common problem of all citizens and requires efforts of all involved to improve the situation”. Mohammad Reza Naemi Member of the ENRMN Network.

“One of the factors that has damaged the beauty of the nature and less attention has paid to it is the improper extraction of natural resources.” “Illegal and non-standard mining activities not only pollute air and soil, but it also affects the surrounding communities’ cultural heritage, economic means and creates social disputes.” Said Ahmad Attaee member of the ENRMN Network.

“By proper management of the waste, classifying, re-using and recycling, we can considerably reduce usage of the natural resources”. “Before dumping the waste in landfills, private companies and factories can support Kabul Municipality in reducing unnecessary burial of the solid waste.” “We have trained students and public servants about waste management, and provided bags for collection of papers” Zuhal Atmar Gul-e Mursal Waste Paper Recycling Factory.

ENRMN proposals to reduce the impact of climate change, proper management of the natural resources and protection of the environment:

• Updating and amending the relevant policies and regulations to respond to requirements of time

• Increase awareness programs to the general public about the negative impacts of pollutants and highlighting responsibilities of the people and individuals in regard to protection of the environment • Releasing the data about air pollution and other environmental parameters to the public

• Serious actions by the entities that approves the designs of buildings and infrastructure about the following points:

o Introduce and implement the energy preservation methods to reduce energy consumption and waste o Utilizing effective and smart system for lighting of buildings to reduce electricity usage o Introducing effective heating and ventilation systems and reducing dependency on usage of firewood, kerosine, coal and other fossil material that are top air pollutants o Wider usage of the renewable energy o Issuance of warnings and fines against violators of NEPA and Municipality regulations o Adding new places as national parks and protected areas to protect extent species o Enforcing solid waste classification and recycling procedures and processes o Effectively managing water resources for both urban areas and agricultural lands The awareness about protection of environment has improved in the past few years, but there is still a long way to go before positive steps show their result. Reported by Abdul Nasser Nazari TLO Program Manager and Member of the ENRMN Secretariate.