Although there’s still a war on, Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency has declared the area known as Band-e-Amir to be the country’s first national park. The BBC calls it a “spectacular region of deep blue lakes separated by natural dams,” adding, however, that much of the wildlife has been lost, and that challenges remain:
In the stillness of the high, thin air, the blue and turquoise waters are often like glass, perfectly reflecting the slopes around them, says the BBC’s Alan Johnston, who has visited Band-e-Amir.
However, this quietness may be occasionally punctured by the damaging local practice of fishing by blasting the lake waters with hand grenades, he adds.
Originally, Band-e-Amir was going to be declared a national park in the 1960s, but conflict got in the way. It’s since been submitted to the UN for recognition as a World Heritage site, according to Wikipedia.
Do a Google images search for some spectacular scenery!
Grant Hamilton
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