Despite a nationwide ban on hunting rare animals and birds, illegal trade and poaching persist across Afghanistan, threatening biodiversity amid economic hardship and weak enforcement.

In the arid landscapes of Farah province, southwestern Afghanistan, a video circulating on local media has sparked outrage among residents. The footage depicts individuals hunting rare animals and birds in clear violation of national prohibitions. Local voices are growing louder in condemnation, highlighting not only the loss of biodiversity but also the erosion of natural heritage.

“When birds are hunted, one thing is the extinction of animals and the other is that we lose our natural beauty,” Abdul Karim, a Farah resident, told local media. Another local, Waheed, echoed the sentiment: “Hunting the animals brings a lot of sorrow, and we feel that it is preferable if this hunting is stopped.”

Farah’s local officials report some action. Abdulhai Sabawon, director of information and culture, stated that authorities arrested seven to eight people in the Anar Dara and Khaki Safed districts over the past month for illegal hunting. However, critics argue that these sporadic arrests fail to address the systemic issue, as poaching continues unchecked in remote areas.

Economic Desperation Fuels Bird Markets in Major Cities

The challenges extend beyond rural hunting grounds to urban marketplaces. In Kabul’s historic Ka Faroshi Bird Market, a 200-year-old institution dating back to the era of Timur Shah Durrani, vendors are struggling. Sellers report a sharp decline in business over the past year, attributing it to widespread poverty and unemployment under the current economic conditions.

Mohammad Zahir, a vendor with 30 years of experience, noted that passersby admire the colourful birds but lack the means to purchase them. “Everyone who passes by here has to gaze at these beautiful birds, but they cannot afford them,” he said. Fellow sellers like Hasibullah, Abdul Jalil, and Gowhar Khan confirm the downturn, linking it directly to people’s inability to afford even basic necessities, let alone pets. Prices start as low as 100 Afghanis, yet demand has plummeted for species including chickens, partridges, and exotic birds.

Herat Defies Nationwide Ban as Markets Thrive Openly

In Herat province, the situation appears even more defiant. Despite explicit prohibitions on hunting, buying, selling, and trafficking birds, reptiles, and wild animals, the local bird market remains bustling. Birds are regularly supplied from rural districts and villages, with sellers openly trading species like shink, myna, canaries, and lovebirds.

Buyer Faridun described the scene: “Canaries, lovebirds and many other types of birds are available in this market. Young people come here and spend their time.” Seller Saeed admitted to catching birds from trees for resale.

The Herat Department of Environmental Protection has issued warnings of strict measures. Hamed Elham, head of information and public awareness, reported that seven individuals have been arrested and referred to judicial authorities. In the past two months, nearly 200 birds and reptiles confiscated from private owners were released back into the wild. Yet, enforcement remains patchy, particularly in remote rural zones.

Environmental analyst Jasim Aslami warned of broader consequences: “Hunting is widespread in areas far from cities, and not only birds but also wild animals are being hunted. Monitoring should be strengthened, and instead of hunting, people should plant trees, develop farmland and help create a greener environment so birds can return to natural habitats.”

Conservation Efforts Offer Glimmers of Hope Amid Systemic Challenges

Positive initiatives exist alongside the problems. In Farah, the Qatari foundation Al-Gharafa maintains a farm breeding more than 350 deer. Veterinarian Fazl Ahmad expressed hopes for releasing them into the wild, contingent on government cooperation to secure suitable locations. “We need a secure location to let them out. We may release the deer in that region if the government works with us,” he said.

However, experts note that fundamental actions to protect endangered species remain insufficient. Several wildlife populations in Afghanistan are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and the pressures of prolonged instability. The interplay of poverty, weak governance, and cultural practices exacerbates the crisis.

Broader Context of Environmental and Economic Strain

Afghanistan’s environmental challenges occur against a backdrop of severe economic hardship following the 2021 political transition. International sanctions, restricted aid, and banking limitations have deepened poverty, pushing some toward illegal activities like wildlife trafficking for survival. Bird markets, once vibrant cultural hubs, now reflect economic distress rather than prosperity.

Conservationists and officials emphasize the need for stronger monitoring, community education, and alternative livelihoods. Releasing captive animals and breeding programmes represent steps forward, but without sustained enforcement and international support, the trajectory for Afghanistan’s unique biodiversity looks precarious.

Local residents, vendors, and experts collectively call for a balanced approach: upholding bans while addressing root causes like unemployment. As one Farah resident put it, the sorrow of losing these animals is profound – not just for the present generation but for the natural legacy of the nation.

The persistence of illegal hunting and trade underscores a tension between traditional practices, economic necessity, and modern conservation imperatives. In provinces like Farah, Kabul, and Herat, the fate of rare birds and animals hangs in the balance, testing the authorities’ commitment to environmental protection amid competing priorities.