Afghan shepherds forced into desperate measures

NOORUDDIN watched helplessly as his flock of 100 sheep began to die from hunger and thirst on the dry drought-ravaged hillsides of Balkh province.

Rather than let more of the prized creatures die a slow death on the dry hillsides of Balkh province in the north, he made the decision to slaughter most of the rest.

“I cut their heads off,” the 65-year-old herder said, adding that their malnourished frames meant their meat was “useless”.

“We fed it to the dogs,” Nooruddin told AFP.

He’s one of many whose traditional livelihoods -- from farmers to carpet weavers -- are under threat as changing weather patterns wreak havoc.

Experts warn the situation will only get worse, with Afghanistan one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, even though it produces just 0.1 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

For many this latest drought is the worst they can recall.

“I’ve seen droughts before, but never as severe,” said livestock trader Mirza, who like many residents only uses one name.