The Trip to LAX with My Friends
The trip to LAX with my friends is one of the most memorable and exciting experiences I have regarding my traveling life. On a fateful day, we took a bus, twenty-five of us, and left San Diego for Lax. We were all excited and full of expectations about our destination and the trip in general. We arrived three hours earlier at the airport, but it was to our advantage as we were able to avoid any inconveniences in our new environment. However, I could assume that the major reason for us arriving at the airport three hours before flight takeoff was that we were all excited and anxious to travel out of our city and country, probably for some of it was the first time. Our destination was Helmand province in Afghanistan, a place where, according to me, was like a beach only that there was no water. I stayed in this place for six months, a period in which I gathered a lot from the country's physical features, the borders, and the climate trends of the region.
Helmand Province - Afghanistan
Helmand province is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. The Helmand River stretches for 710 miles. Its waterbed is located in the Hindu Kush Mountains from where it flows through the north, west to Daykundi and crosses through the desert of Dashti Margo, providing water for irrigation. However, the irrigation efficiency of the river has decreased due to the buildup of mineral salts. Farmers in Afghanistan benefit from the waters of the Helmand River. Helmand has been considered as one of the largest opium-producing areas, contributing more than 40 percent of the world's total production. Moreover, the region is also known for the production of sesame, wheat, and peanut. Despite the fact that a greater section of the country is desert, Helmand has managed to make the best out of the river. Such progress is an indication that water availability in a region could change the physical appearance and surroundings of the region. Additionally, a country could gain revenue from exporting agricultural products from the irrigation schemes.
The Mountains of Afghanistan
Mountains cover the land, and it is due to this nature of landscape that Afghanistan is widely recognized for its mountainous terrain. The Hindu Kush Mountains separate the rest of the country from the Northern provinces. The mountainous terrain of the land divides the country into three different geographic regions. The distinct regions include the Southern, Western Plateau, Central Highlands, and the Northern Plains. One distinct feature of Afghanistan is that the altitude, climate, and soil conditions vary greatly from region to region across the country. More than half of the total land area of Afghanistan lies above 6,500 ft., explaining its mountainous terrain. From the nature of the landscape, I came to learn that the country uses the mountains as boundaries with neighboring countries. For instance, Afghanistan's border with China and Pakistan is separated by the Hindu Kush Mountains. The Hindu Kush Mountains extend west across separating the Northern provinces from the rest of Afghanistan. Kabul, the capital city, lies at 1,800 meters above sea level and is situated between snow-capped high mountains. The country is landlocked and has stretched and porous borders to Iran.
Soil Erosion and Deforestation
Soil erosion and drought are the primary challenges that residents of this region of the world constantly face. However, not all Afghans suffer from water shortage. For instance, those in the north have access to sufficient water from the springs and relatively fertile soil because of the low-lying plains filled with water from the Hindu Kush. Over the past, sizable areas of the Hindu Kush had extensive lush forests, mainly in the east and north. The country is a known habitat for some indigenous tree species such as oak, olive trees, and walnut. However, during the past decades, a greater portion of Afghanistan's forests have been destroyed. The most affected regions are the east, where there has been extensive illegal logging. Much of the timber harvested from the forests was exported to Pakistan. Other than illegal logging, other causes that led to the present situation of the country include a collection of firewood and grazing animals to eat small shoots, which prevents forests from renewing. The extinction of the sizable forests has exposed a significant share of Afghanistan's land to soil erosion.
The Need for Vigilant Campaigns Against Deforestation
The soil erosion and huge sandstorms present in Afghanistan shaped my subjective meaning of the need to have vigilant campaigns against deforestation. Stopping deforestation and the destruction of Afghanistan's rainforests is more than an environmental issue. From my perspective, it should be classified as an all-rounded issue. Deforestation in Afghanistan has led to the loss of million trees and damaging of the ecosystem. Drought is one of the major outcomes of the act, which explains why most of the residents keep camels compared to other livestock. The harsh climatic conditions explain the reasons for the scarce homesteads in the region.
The Use of Mountains as Boundaries
The use of mountains to mark boundaries between Afghanistan and neighboring states explains the frequent and prolonged conflicts with Pakistan. This physical characteristic shapes my subjective meaning of negotiations and agreements between neighboring states on matters concerning boundaries. The mountains could serve as a hideout for militants of either state ready to attack their rivals. It is for this reason that Pakistan recently announced its aim of building a fence along the unstable Pakistan-Afghan border. I consider the move as a strategy to restricting the movement of Islamist militants that without any restriction cross the border and launch attacks on the Pakistan soil. However, constructing the fence can be controversial in Afghanistan, particularly those individuals living on both sides of the border.
Political Stability and Recognition of Borders
The issues of borders in Afghanistan have harnessed my subjectivity regarding political stability in a country. Countries need to recognize the existing borders separating them from neighboring states. The fact that Afghanistan does not recognize the Durand line, a formal border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, is a clear representation of the lapse in political and administrative structures in a country. Citizens may find it difficult recognizing the border because the Country itself does not acknowledge the boundary established by the British during the colonial rule.
A Memorable Experience in Helmand Province
One of my most memorable moments during my stay in Helmand province was when the little kids told us to watch out for areas and be careful on where we stepped because of landmines. We went on missions as a group with our MRAPS (vehicle) which made it possible to view the vast desert and the mountainous landscape. Looking at the mountains reminded me of California, which made it appear as if we were on the other side from home. My experience and stay in the region are memorable, though I did not like the place, but would not mind visiting in the future.
