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Afghanistan’s women rangers

The country’s first female rangers are patrolling the Band-e-Amir National Park and challenging stereotypes.

Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
With its pristine lakes and limestone cliffs, Band-e-Amir gained national park status in 2009, making it Afghanistan's first national park. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
By Al Jazeera
Published On 13 May 2015

Once a popular stop on the 1960s hippie trail, Band-e-Amir Park and the now destroyed Buddhas of Bamiyan rarely see foreign tourists anymore.

Years of war and destruction following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the rise of the Taliban have made these stunning sites a dangerous place to visit. But as the country slowly moves to rebuild itself, there are new signs of life.

Over the past couple of years, rangers have been trained to protect the country’s first National Park and in a rather bold move, four women have been hired. Fatima, Kubra, Nikbakht, and Sediqa are the park’s first and only female wardens and their responsibilities include assisting local tourists, teaching children about conservation and ensuring visitors do no harm to the park.

In a country where only 16 percent of women work, not only is the park doing groundbreaking conservation work, it is also challenging gender stereotypes.

Declared a national park in 2009, Band-e-Amir is made up of six azure blue mineral lakes surrounded by stunning cliffs and is home to wildlife such as the Persian leopard, ibex, urials as well as the Afghan snow finch.

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Stretching over 570 square kilometres, the park is located on the Hazarajat Plateau in the mountainous Hindu Kush.

For more watch Afghanistan’s Female Wardens

Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
These hills in Bamiyan were once home to two giant Buddhas – their destruction by the Taliban in 2001 are a permanent symbol of Afghanistan's violent past. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
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Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
In a country where only 16 percent of women work, not only is the park doing groundbreaking conservation work, it is also challenging gender stereotypes by hiring female wardens. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
earthrise - Afghanistan female wardens Gallery
Kubra, Fatima, Nikbakht and Sediqa are the park's first and only female wardens. Their responsibilities include assisting tourists, teaching local children about conservation and ensuring visitors do no harm to the park. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
For decades the local villagers have survived off the park by hunting wildlife and fishing in its lakes – but attitudes are shifting with some capitalising on the park's growing attraction for tourists as a way to earn a living. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
Locals make use of solar cookers to brew some green tea rather than use wood in their houses which fills their homes with black smoke. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
Recognised as one of the most beautiful sites in the world, Band-e-Amir National Park which stretches across 575 square kilometres is a stark contrast to the shell-blasted landscapes of nearby Kabul. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
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Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
These fragile mineral-rich lakes, which most Afghans believe have healing properties, were once the site of destructive fishing practices involving the use of hand grenades. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
As well as hosting tourists, selling handicrafts and food, locals rent out pedal boats to tourists so that they can cross the park's stunning mineral lakes. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
Band-e-Amir park is visited by thousands of local tourists and pilgrims every year but foreign tourists remain scarce. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
Years of neglect has meant Band-e-Amir National Park has suffered habitat destruction from firewood overgrazing, soil erosion and loss of wildlife. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]
Afghanistan''s Female Rangers Photo Gallery LESLIE KNOTT
Over the last few years, the park has hired and trained 26 rangers; including Nikbakht and Jahanbin a local couple who both work to protect the park. [Leslie Knott/Al Jazeera]