Promoting Safe and Respectful Tourism —Band-e-Amir, Bamyan Province

Protecting Band-e-Amir: NOIA’s Awareness Campaign for Sustainable Tourism
In March 2025, the National Organization of Initiative and Action (NOIA) visited Band-e-Amir, Afghanistan’s first national park and a UNESCO-recognized natural heritage site in Bamyan Province. As spring approached, the weather turned mild, and many Afghan families gathered to enjoy picnics beside the beautiful blue lakes — a powerful reminder of the site’s natural beauty and its place in our cultural identity.
However, alongside this joyful scene, the NOIA team recognized a serious and growing challenge. Visitors lack environmental awareness, and the park has critical safety gaps. Every year, two to three people lose their lives here due to a lack of clear information, absence of warning signs, and unsafe conditions near the lake’s fragile edges. There are no protective fences or visible attention signs installed in risky areas, leaving visitors — especially children — vulnerable. We also observed that luxury boats and ships used by some visitors are allowed to stop anywhere they like, without proper controls. This uncontrolled activity further threatens the lake’s delicate ecosystem and disturbs its natural beauty. Clearly, Band-e-Amir urgently needs practical interventions:

• Installation of important notice signals and warning signs
• Regular awareness-raising activities to educate visitors on safe and responsible behavior

Recognizing this urgency, NOIA's volunteers acted swiftly during our visit. In just two days, we organized an on-the-ground awareness campaign promoting responsible tourism practices:

• We engaged directly with visiting families and groups through conversations, creating a friendly but informative dialogue about environmental responsibility and safety.
• We placed clear, visible posters around key picnic and walking areas.
• We distributed illustrated educational flyers that explained, in simple terms, why visitors must stay on designated paths, keep the surroundings clean, and avoid disturbing the natural landscape.

The response was encouraging: families expressed gratitude for the guidance, and many pledged to share this knowledge with others in their communities.
This initiative is more than just a local campaign — it reflects NOIA’s larger mission: To protect Afghanistan’s natural and cultural heritage while empowering communities to take ownership of sustainable preservation.
But to ensure lasting protection of Band-e-Amir, structural improvements and continuous awareness efforts are urgently needed. With the right support, we are eager to work with partners to help install safety fences, place clear notice signs, regulate tourist activities, and expand educational campaigns. This will ensure that Band-e-Amir is not only enjoyed today but also protected for future generations — safe, clean, and sustainably managed.
Your support can help save lives, protect nature, and build a sustainable future for Band-e-Amir. Together, we can make this vision a reality.