Kormal, from northern Afghanistan’s Wakhan district, has always
been an expert on endangered species. Just a few years ago, he
was making a living for himself and his family by hunting rare
snow leopards and lynx and selling their skins to fur traders.
When USAID, through its partner the Wildlife Conservation
Society, began working to raise awareness about conservation in
his district, Kormal’s interest was piqued. He was surprised
when his village nominated him to participate in the new
community conservation ranger program because he was a hunter.
In fact, Kormal’s knowledge of the local mountains and wildlife
made him a prime candidate. Over the course of a challenging
training period, he developed strong leadership skills and
became a dedicated conservationist. Rangers are essential to
successful management and protection of natural resources. In a
country like Afghanistan, which has suffered three decades of
war and subsequent environmental degradation, the ranger program
is key to ensuring future protec