Band-e Amir

Band-e Amir are a stunning group of turquoise lakes in Eastern Afghanistan. They sit high in the Hindu Kush at an altitude of 2900m, and in 2008 were declared the country's first national park.

The problems facing the visitors are harsh terrain, rocky plateau, lack of basic facilities and mined unpaved roads. The surrounding roads were heavily mined by the local militias and the Taliban during their respective reigns. Only a thin track is clear from mines and is in use by traffic.

The only available bazaar is a tiny one situated by the side of Band-e Haibat, where a couple of basics can be purchased.

Due to the lack of attention and the absence of any maintenance authority, increasing number of visitors pose a threat to the ecological balance of these lakes which include unregulated grazing and uprooting of shrubs which can result in serious soil erosion and even landslides. Fishing using electricity from mobile generators and explosives such as grenades has damaged the aquatic ecosystem. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, much of the park's wildlife has been lost. Due to lack of funding for waste management, human waste and trash has led to increasing pollution. In 2008 the Afghan government banned the use of boats with gasoline engines on the lakes.