Existing Ecosystems and Regional Landscape
Northern Afghanistan is a land of contrasts. From vast deserts and fertile deltas to mountain-fed rivers and scattered wetlands, the region is undergoing significant changes. The Regional Landscape study assesses the impact of the Qush Tepa Canal on Mazar-e-Sharif, Andkhoi, and Sheberghan by examining the interplay between various ecosystems that shape the region. This analysis considers both internal and external forces that have defined the landscape over time.
Situated on a vast deltaic plain at the confluence of the Band-e-Amir River, these northern cities are deeply linked to their environment. The flow of the Balkh, Khulam, Sar-e-Pul, and Shereen Tagab rivers creates a natural border: fertile soils with rainfed or irrigated agriculture lie to the north, while barren drylands stretch to the south. The region’s cold steppe climate—with scorching summers averaging 39°C in July and chilly winters averaging -2.1°C in January—receives minimal rainfall, reinforcing the cities’ heavy reliance on both surface and groundwater resources.
The urban fabric of Mazar-e-Sharif, Andkhoi, and Sheberghan is defined by two dominant landscape types. To the north, an extensive desert corridor marked by sand dunes parallels the Amu Darya River, contributing salt and dust that adversely affect public health. Conversely, the southern edge is graced by the Hindu Kush Mountain range, which not only supplies vital water resources but also offers a cool retreat during the intense summer heat. This natural contrast is further enriched by a variety of significant cultural landmarks located within a two-hour drive, providing sufficient opportunities for leisure and recreation. The dynamic interaction between these contrasting landscapes highlights the region’s social and economic vitality.
Major Natural Features and Their Dynamics
The Amo River:
Forming a natural boundary with Afghanistan’s northern neighbors, the Amo River is one of the largest untouched ecosystems along the border. Often referred to as the “Nile of Central Asia,” it supports diverse fish species, draws recreational enthusiasts from across the country, and serves as an important economic resource for local communities. Aral Lake, once the world’s second-largest lake, has largely dried up due to the diversion of Amu River water for irrigation. This event is considered one of the most catastrophic environmental disasters in history.
The Desert Ecosystem:
Positioned between the Amu River and Afghanistan’s northern rangelands, the desert stretches from Jawzjan to Takhar provinces in parallel with the river. Characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions, the Sand Dome Desert is a major source of seasonal sand, dust storms, and strong winds that pose significant environmental and public health risks—risks that have intensified over the past two decades due to climate change. Despite generating 35% of the Amu River’s water, Afghanistan has yet to harness it for irrigation. The Qush Tepa Canal is set to change that by becoming the country’s first project to use Amu River water for agriculture, although design challenges may result in up to 22% water loss over the initial 40 kilometers and potentially trigger soil salinization as the water table rises. Moreover, the canal itself splits the desert, reducing available habitat and restricting species movement.
Mountain-fed Rivers and Agricultural Boundaries:
Originating from the peaks of the Hindu Kush, Alborz, and Marmal mountains, the Khulam, Balkh, Sari Pul, and Sheren Tagab rivers flow through verdant valleys before merging with the rangelands and semi-desert. Historically, these rivers reached the Amu River prior to the advent of modern irrigation systems and now delineate the boundary between fertile agricultural lands and encroaching desert. Ancient sites along the lower reaches of the Balkh River highlight early civilizations that thrived on these watercourses, once surrounded by lush grasslands now increasingly overtaken by sand dunes—a stark reminder of ongoing desertification. Satellite imagery even reveals these rivers as tree-like roots traversing the landscape, connecting agricultural lands and recreational areas within a two-hour drive from Mazar-e-Sharif.
Agricultural Landscapes and Natural Barriers:
Each river watershed has developed its own distinct agricultural landscape. However, natural features such as rangelands and sand dunes create barriers between these zones, rendering the habitats fragile and vulnerable to environmental stresses like extreme heat and draught. Although much of the land between irrigated fields remains moderately suitable for cultivation, rainfed agricultural zones—especially those at the end of irrigation canals—are prone to water shortages during droughts and contribute to airborne fine particles during windy seasons, further impacting air quality.
Wetlands as Multifunctional Systems:
Maps of the region reveal scattered wetlands interspersed throughout expansive agricultural areas. These wetlands typically form in depressions or low-lying areas where the water table is shallow or where excess water accumulates along irrigation canals and runoff paths. Functioning as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for water management, these wetlands enhance flood resilience, shorten the duration of droughts, and filter out pollutants. Even in intensively cultivated zones, these natural water bodies persist as vital elements of a complex mosaic that includes irrigated fields, rainfed farms, shrublands, and deserts—each reflecting the critical influence of water availability on settlement, agriculture, and ecosystem dynamics.
Threats from Climate Change and Environmental Hazards
Climate change, coupled with rapid urbanization and shifts in land use, poses increasing risks to these unique ecosystems. Since 1980, natural hazards in Afghanistan have affected approximately 9 million people and claimed over 20,000 lives. Flooding remains the most common hazard, with average annual damages of $54 million and major events surpassing $500 million in losses. Although earthquakes have been less frequent, they have been deadlier—causing over 10,000 fatalities since 1980 and annual damages estimated at $80 million. Droughts have impacted 6.5 million people since 2000 during significant events in 2000, 2006, 2008, and 2011. Additionally, millions face landslide and avalanche risks, with around 10,000 km of roads (15% of the total) exposed to avalanche hazards, including critical routes like the Salan Pass.
In this context, Mazar-e-Sharif is moderately exposed to drought and highly vulnerable to earthquakes, with localized flood risks in its southern high-slope and western marshy areas. Meanwhile, Sheberghan confronts high drought and earthquake risks, albeit with lower flood hazards, and Andkhoi experiences significant drought risk with moderate earthquake vulnerability.
Qush Tepa Canal: Challenges and Opportunities
Afghanistan’s interim authorities project that the 287-kilometer-long Qush Tepa Canal—with a depth of 8.5 meters and an average width of 100 meters—will irrigate over 1.2 million acres of farmland and generate roughly 200,000 jobs, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and national food security. Construction is advancing rapidly, employing about 5,000 workers and 4,000 pieces of heavy equipment. With the first phase completed and 81% of the second phase’s excavation finished, the main canal structure is expected to be completed in six years, though the full network of secondary channels may take up to 15 years.
Despite these promising prospects, concerns remain: water loss of up to 22% is anticipated in the initial 40 kilometers due to design flaws and the absence of concrete lining, and rising water tables may lead to irrigation-induced soil salinization.
Originally conceptualized in the 1970s, the project was stalled by decades of conflict following the 1979 Soviet invasion. A feasibility study by USAID in 2018 and a subsequent launch by the Ghani government (prior to its fall in 2021) paved the way for the Taliban to restart the project in March 2022 as a flagship initiative. Beyond addressing water scarcity, the canal aims to alleviate pressure on the Balkh, Sar-e-Pul, and Sheren Tagab rivers, thereby ensuring year-round water availability for upstream communities. In addition, it is expected to encourage government initiatives in forestation, expanded irrigation networks, and improved wetland management, laying the groundwork for integrated, landscape-based solutions that boost regional resilience and biodiversity.
Landscape-Based Recommendations for Enhanced Regional Ecology
As urban areas expand, improving natural resource management becomes crucial to mitigating environmental risks. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) offer a cost-effective strategy deeply embedded in Afghan cultural practices to tackle challenges such as water security, pollution, environmental hazards, food insecurity, public health, and climate change. By harnessing natural processes, NBS aims to enhance both regional and urban resilience.
In the regions of Mazar-e-Sharif, Sheberghan, and Andkhoi, the ecosystem is profoundly shaped by rivers and streams originating from the southern hillsides and the Hindu Kush mountains. These watercourses have sculpted agricultural deltas within each province’s watershed while contributing to the formation of saline deserts in the north. Particular attention is needed at the junctures where the Balkh and Flood Rivers emerge from hillside canyons and flow into the Balkh plain. These areas, which supply water to both urban centers and agricultural lands, present opportunities for creating infiltration reservoirs—structures that capture excess water during high rainfall periods and store it in aquifers for municipal use.
Moreover, integrating NBS with current wastewater treatment systems could lead to the development of city-wide treatment wetlands and regional parks in the saline desert north of these cities. Such wetlands would function as biofilters, using natural chemical processes and microorganisms to break down organic materials and remove pollutants. The resulting clean water could then infiltrate shallow aquifers or be used for irrigation.
To counter the health risks associated with dust from the northern desert, establishing a greenbelt using surplus water from the wetlands could improve urban air quality. Successfully implementing these low-cost yet ambitious projects will require municipal investments alongside education and capacity-building initiatives.
Key Recommendations:
- Interconnected Agricultural Networks: Develop a continuous agricultural landscape to enhance resilience, reduce local temperatures, and provide uninterrupted habitats for wildlife.
- Sand Dune Barriers: Establish barrier zones between agricultural lands and the shifting sand dunes to mitigate desert encroachment.
- Greenbelt Development: Protect vulnerable rolling hills from overgrazing by converting them into greenbelts through the planting of local trees and shrubs, thereby preventing soil erosion, improving air quality, and offering recreational spaces.
- Habitat Connectivity: Create wildlife corridors across the canal-divided desert landscape to preserve species movement and territory.
- Water Management Infrastructure: Construct artificial dams and develop wetlands in the southern parts of the region to manage upstream water, recharge aquifers, and alleviate drought pressures.
- Wetland Conservation and Reforestation: Protect existing wetlands and convert suitable areas into interconnected forested zones using salt- and drought-resistant species. This initiative would enhance air, water, and soil quality while reducing the impacts of climate change. Where water from the Qush Tepa Canal is abundant, some wetlands might even be repurposed for agricultural use.
By implementing these landscape-based solutions, the region can achieve enhanced ecological resilience, improved biodiversity, and sustainable habitat conditions—thereby securing a better quality of life for its residents amid the challenges posed by climate change and rapid urbanization.
