The great game

Environmental challenges in the Afghan Wakhan corridor bordering

Pakistan and China

The Great Game, a little history

• Having a hand on the heartland of Asia being the triangle China, Afghanistan and Pakistan was in the interest of both the British as well as the Russian empire.

• It start already in the 18e century when the Britisch and Russian empires wanted to control this area for geopolitical reasons.

• Main reason : Controlling this area means controlling Asia and it’s trade routes. The Wakhan became the buffer between the 2 empires in the end.

The current (geopolitical) context

• The rising economical power of China• The tribal context of northern Pakistan• The insecure Afghan/Pakistan border areas.• The geographical landscape of the region • It’s fragile environmental situation

Wahkan• A small stretch of land bordering Tadzjikistan,

Pakistan and China.• At an altitude of 3000-7500 meters• Inhabitated by people of Wakhis and Kyrgyz

background.• Being small farmers or having a big flock mainly

sheep and goats

Current situation• Environmental degradation is evident in the

Wakhan corridor due to :• Increasing flock size of the Kyrgyz population• Small agricultural plots of the Wakhi people

living in the beginning of the Wakhan corridor is leaving two options: migration or using the plot of land more intensively

Future?• Other sources of income for the local population

are important to avoid more environmental degradation

• The borders are close leaving the trade opportunity out.

• Water for irrigation is used little.• The Wakhan plays no role currently from a geo

political point of view for the Afghan government• The Wakhan could be a unique tourist

destination since the area can be accessed via Tadjikistan directly.

Questions /discussions

• Please feel free