Sources: Haji Bashir Noorzai is leading gold mining in Takhar and Badakhshan.
Residents of Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province, say that extensive gold mining has begun in the floodplains of Khatayan to Dasht-e Rabat.
According to them, the activities of contract companies and the presence of squatters have caused serious damage to gardens, agricultural lands, the riverbed and the environment.
Images published from the branches of the valley and Tangi Farkhar also show that heavy machinery is busy working in this area, and even Chinese companies have entered these projects.
Local sources add that Haji Bashir Noorzai, an influential Taliban figure accused of drug mafia activities, has now turned to gold mining in Badakhshan and Takhar.
He recently visited the Khatayan areas with Chinese engineers and conducted initial surveys to begin work in this area.
Residents say the move has raised serious concerns about the destruction of Khatayan’s purple garden and the environment.
Local sources emphasize that in recent years, Khatayan has become one of the most important gold mining areas in northern Afghanistan.
Contracting companies have seized large parts of government and private lands, and some landowners have been forced to sell their land at high prices – up to five million Afghanis – while previously, the value of one jerib of land was around 500,000 Afghanis.
