ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 357
• The use of Micro-grids, which are small and modern versions of centralized electricity grid systems. They are autonomous and cost effective which makes them a suitable option for isolated
communities. They can run on fuel cells, solar, and wind. They help generate clean energy for
domestic and public use, diversify energy sources and reduce carbon emissions resulting from
conventional energy production methods.
• In the long term, on the other hand, large off-grid PV systems carry a great potential in solving
the energy problem in Bamiyan. In 2014, a 1 MW off-grid PV system started operating in Bamiyan province financed by two companies from New Zealand, providing electricity to around
2500 buildings in Bamiyan province (PV Magazine 2015).
b. Water
Short term solutions focus on reducing the demand and the efficient use of water resource as
follows:
• Promoting public awareness of efficient water consumption methods through education and
community campaigns.
• Providing knowledge and technical assistance to the farmers and introducing modern and efficient irrigation systems such as sprinkler and drip irrigation as a replacement to conventional
irrigation methods. (UNEP 2015)
• Prioritization of rehabilitation of existing hydrometric network rather than starting new ones.
Such projects can also provide local employment opportunities.
• For the long term, the following strategies are recommended:
• Launching small-scale community-based projects such as digging irrigation canals, cleaning
water resources, digging wells and water collection structures. A successful strategy that has
been adopted by Global Partners is Food for Work projects, which uses food as a compensation for work on infrastructure and road projects. This strategy can be applied for water related
projects especially if these projects have a direct positive impact on farms that can help by
compensating the workers with food to enable them to be feed their families. (Global Partners
2015)
• Help farmers determine the water needs for each plant to avoid excess irrigation, which is a
common problem in Afghanistan (Mahmoodi 2011).
• Encourage the use of drought-resistant crops.
c. Reforestation
A recent study assessing the reforestation programs in Afghanistan argues that reforestation programs are challenging in areas where people are not dependent on forest for their living. Fortunately, people in Bamiyan are strongly dependent on the forest in their city for earning cash and
improving their standards of living. For this reason, there’s a great potential in Bamiyan to collaborate with the local people who are genuinely willing to improve the situation of the forests in the
city (Groninger 2012). The study reviews a number of strategies that can be adopted in Bamiyan
as follow:
• In the short term, it is recommended to focus on re-planting fast growing trees that will help
the people who depend on trees for heating purposes during the harsh winters.
• Enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings reduces the need for conventional heating methods and consequently reduces people’s dependence on forest wood for heating.
• Larger scale reforestation projects can be carried out during the next phase, which may also
involve enhancing the accessibility and roads infrastructure to these areas.
• Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) remains one of the most critical health threats that many developing
countries suffer from. A study conducted by Duflo, Greenstone and Hanna (2008) proposes
three main strategies to fight the problem of IAP which are considered suitable for the case of
Post-conflict sustainable development of Bamiyan city in Afghanistan
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