DUSHANBE
, July 14, Asia-Plus — Rational use of waters of the
Amudarya
River
is one of topical environmental issues in the
Central Asia
region.
Mr. Shahzod Mustafo Zohir, Director General of
Afghanistan
’s National Agency for Environmental Protection, told journalists this in
Dushanbe
on July 14. Mr. Zohir arrived in
Dushanbe
to attend the first regional meeting of ecologists from
Tajikistan
and
Afghanistan
that was held in the “Kayon” Hotel in
Dushanbe
on Friday July 14.
“At present it is necessary to strengthen riverbank protection works on the both banks of the
Amudarya
River
,” said Mr. Zohir, “Besides, global warming causes thawing of glaciers and reduction in water resources; therefore the water problem is so important.”
The other important issue is protection of flora and fauna in border areas of the two countries, according to him. “In near future, our Tajik colleagues and we intend to consider the issue of the creation of a
Common
National Park
in border areas of
Tajikistan
,
Afghanistan
,
China
and
Pakistan
for preservation of disappearing species of flora and fauna in these countries,” the Afghan Environmental Protection Agency chief said.
The meeting of Tajik and Afghan ecologists in Dushanbe mainly focused on expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the environmental protection issues, regional environmental cooperation in the Amudarya River’s basin and interaction in case of emergencies and natural disasters.
