Illegal hunting on the rise in Afghanistan

By Navin Singh Khadka

Environment reporter, BBC

Illegal wildlife hunting is on the rise in Afghanistan - threatening several key species, campaigners say.

Officials admit it is happening in most provinces despite regulations banning hunting, including a decree by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

There have been claims hunting is carried out by locals and by foreign nationals from Middle Eastern countries.

However, Afghan officials could not confirm this to BBC News.

The country has listed nearly 150 wild animals and birds as at-risk within its territory but there are no detailed records of how many have been killed or poached.

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