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Illegal Timber Exploitation and Counterinsurgency Operations in Kunar Province of Afghanistan: A Case Study Describing the Nexus Among Insurgents, Criminal Cartels, and Communities Within the Forest Sector

2013; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 32; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/10549811.2013.767913

1540-756X

Harry R. Bader, Clint Hanna, Clint Douglas, John D. Fox,

Transboundary Water Resource Management

Abstract The forest of eastern Afghanistan consists of two primary types; a low elevation broadleaf forest of evergreen oak, and a high elevation conifer forest. The average Afghan is dependent upon the oak forest for the daily necessities of fuelwood and fodder. The conifer forest provides prized deodar cedar as a commercial product enriching criminal syndicates and insurgent organizations. The study makes five general findings. First, the role of timber revenue as a source of hard currency for insurgent organizations is increasing. Second, the illegal timber trade poses a direct threat to successful counterinsurgency operations. Third, the timber trade is a complex web involving interactions of the Afghan government, insurgent organizations, and local communities. Fourth, smuggling disruption by international coalition forces alienates the local population and can be counterproductive. Fifth, natural forest ecosystems in Afghanistan are experiencing accelerated disturbance from timber harvest since insurgents began taking over the illegal timber trade. Keywords: Cedrus deodara illegal loggingnorthwestern Himalaya Acknowledgments Bader, Hanna, and Douglas were the principal leadership of the Natural Resources Counterinsurgency Cell (NRCC) in eastern Afghanistan, established under Task Force Mountain Warrior (TFMW). The NRCC operated from February 2010 through May 2011 in Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Nuristan Provinces. Its first commanding officer was MAJ Clint Hanna, TFMW Civil Affairs S-9. The mission of the NRCC was to deny insurgents access to human and financial capital derived from the exploitation of natural resources. Bader and Douglas were the co-team leaders of the cell throughout the duration of its existence and were responsible for mission implementation and tactical operations.