Implementing Site Quarantine to reduce rangeland degradation in the highlands of Badghis
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2024-12-19 06:35 Updated: 2025-05-06 12:23
Compilers: Shamsulhaq Shams
Reviewers: Rima Mekdaschi Studer, Illias Animon, Muhammad Ishaq Safi
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Afghanistan
- Region/ State/ Province: Badghis province
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Deh Beranj Rangeland Management Association, Qadis district
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
Restoring degraded rangelands through quarantine in Qadis district, Badghis Afghanistan.
Detailed description of the Technology
The project “Community-based sustainable land and forest management in Afghanistan”, implemented by FAO with the financial support of GEF, aimed to promote biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and rangeland productivity through introducing community-based sustainable land and forest management (SLM/SFM) practices in rangeland and forest areas within five targeted provinces, including Badghis, that benefited rural communities that rely on these ecosystems for their livelihood.
In June 2022, a 1,000-hectare rangeland quarantine area was established to promote the rehabilitation of degraded land and restore the natural vegetation cover. This area was strategically enclosed with clearly marked benchmark boundaries to prevent grazing and ensure its complete protection. By protecting this area from human interference and grazing, the land has been given the opportunity to recover naturally.
The quarantine area has shown remarkable improvements in the health of its ecosystem. Native grasses, shrubs, and bushes have successfully rehabilitated, with noticeable growth and regeneration. The efforts to protect this area have allowed these plants to thrive without the pressure of overgrazing, leading to the revitalization of the local flora.
A significant outcome of the quarantine area is its role as a natural seed bank. Native seeds collected from this rehabilitated land are now being stored and used for reseeding other degraded rangelands. These seeds, adapted to the local environment, have high potential for successful regeneration when used to restore other areas facing similar ecological challenges. This process not only supports the rehabilitation of nearby rangelands but also contributes to the long-term sustainability and resilience of the local ecosystem.
The success of this quarantine area highlights the importance of protective measures and demonstrates the potential for land recovery through strategic interventions. As a result, this area serves as a model for rangeland rehabilitation. The lessons from the technology applied can be a valuable resource for future restoration efforts across the region.
Photos of the Technology
- 📍 Deh Beranj village area of Qadis district, Badghis Afghanistan
- 🗓 2022-08-06
- 📷 Safiullah Mohammadi
- 📍 Deh Beranj village area of Qadis district, Badghis Afghanistan
- 📷 Safiullah Mohammadi
- 📍 Deh Beranj village area of Qadis district, Badghis Afghanistan
- 📷 Safiullah Mohammadi
- 📍 Deh Beranj village area of Qadis district, Badghis Afghanistan
- 🗓 2024-10-06
- 📷 Safiullah Mohammadi
- 📍 Deh Beranj village area of Qadis district, Badghis Afghanistan
- 📷 Safiullah Mohammadi