Natural Resources In Afghanistan

Natural Resources in Afghanistan: Geographic and Geologic Perspectives on Centuries of Conflict details Afghanistan's physical geography — namely climate, soils, vegetation, water, hazards, and basic geologic background and terrain landforms — together with details of its rich natural resources, ethnic problems, and relevant past histories. The book couples these details with the challenges of environmental degradation and new environmental management and protection, all of which are considered finally in both pessimistic and optimistic modes. The reader comes away with a nuanced understanding of the issues that are likely to have great affect for this pivotal region of the world for decades to come. With an estimated $1-3 trillion dollars of ore in the ground, and multiple cross-reinforcing cancellations of big Asian power machinations (China, India, Iran, Pakistan), Afghanistan has an opportunity to gain more economic independence. At the same time, however, historic forces of negativity also pull it back toward the chaos and uncertainty that has defined the country and constrained its economic progress for decades. Authored by the world’s foremost expert on the geology and geomorphology of Afghanistan and its lucrative natural resources Aids in the understanding of the physical environment, natural hazards, climate-change situations, and natural resources in one of the most geographically diverse and dangerous terrains in the world Provides new concepts of resource-corridor development in a country with no indigenous expertise of its resources

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) natural resources revitalization activities in Afghanistan (Peters and others, 2011), three new datasets have been collected, compiled, and analyzed. These data have been used to more fully evaluate the areas of interest (AOIs; fig. 1 ) where, on the basis of previous U.S.S.R. and Afghanistan studies, the opportunity for early economic development of a number of different mineral, commodity, and deposit types had been identified (Peters and others, 2007; Peters and others, 2011). The new data compilations include (1) regional magnetic and gravity data for use in the characterization of subsurface composition and structure (Sweeney and others, 2006a, b; Ashan and others, 2007; Sweeney and others, 2007; Ashan and others, 2008; Shenwary and others, 2011), (2) Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data to identify and evaluate surficial alteration patterns related to industrial minerals and other selected targets, and (3) HyMap imaging spectrometer data for characterization and mapping of surficial mineralogy (Cocks and others, 1998; Kokaly and others, 2008; Peters and others, 2011). These datasets have served as fundamental building blocks for the resource evaluation by Peters and others (2011)

Natural Resource Management in South Asia deals with the problems in the management of natural resources in South Asia. It raises reasonable concerns and queries the manner in which developmental polices are implemented, without undermining the importance of the economic development process. The topics include energy, land, biodiversity, water and the atmosphere, challenges faced by people in Afghanistan. The book examines options to ensure food and water security in South Asia and an alternative policy framework for a sustainable environment.

In Feb. 2002, a detailed proposal addressing natural resources issues critical to the reconstruction of Afghanistan was prepared. Afghanistan has abundant metallic and non-metallic resources, but the potential resources had never been assessed using modern methods. This assessment reviewed the geology of Afghanistan and selected appropriate deposit models. Then delineated permissive tracts for each type of deposit was prepared. Geologic maps and location maps showing the distribution and types of existing mineral deposits and occurrences were used in outlining these tracts. Geophysical and geochemical maps, as well as knowledge about the exploration history, were used in tract delineation and estimation. Illus.

This report presents the analysis of current status of water resources management in Afghanistan and identify steps for maximizing the use ofavailable water resources to enhance crop productivity and environmental sustainability.

Transboundary Water from Afghanistan: Climate Change, and Land-Use Implications brings together diverse factual material on the physical geography and political, cultural, and economic implications of Southwest Asian transboundary water resources. It is the outgrowth of long-term deep knowledge and experience gained by the authors, as well as the material developed from a series of new workshops funded by the Lounsbery Foundation and other granting agencies. Afghanistan and Pakistan have high altitude mountains providing vital water supplies that are highly contentious necessities much threatened by climate change, human land-use variation, and political manipulation, which can be managed in new ways that are in need of comprehensive discussions and negotiations between all the riparian nations of the Indus watershed (Afghanistan, China, India, and Pakistan). This book provides a description of the basic topographic configuration of the Kabul River tributary to the Indus river, together will all its tributaries that flow back and forth across the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the basic elements that are involved with the hydrological cycle and its derivatives in the high mountains of the Hindu Kush and Himalaya. Synthesizes information on the physical geography and political, cultural, and economic implications of Southwest Asian transboundary water resources Offers a basic topographic description of the Indus River watershed Provides local water management information not easily available for remote and contentious border areas Delivers access to the newest thinking from chief personnel on both sides of the contentious border Features material developed from a series of new workshops funded by the Lounsbery Foundation and other granting agencies

This report outlines sector strategies and needs, summarizes the subsectorreport findings, and highlights the programming aspects for rebuilding Afghanistan's agriculture sector.