Groundwater management challenges and Sustainability: The case of Kabul, Afghanistan

This paper focuses on the specific challenges and opportunities associated with groundwater management in Kabul City, Afghanistan. With increasing urbanization, industrial development, and agricultural activities, the groundwater resources in Kabul face threats of pollution and overexploitation. Despite these challenges, sustainable management of groundwater holds significant potential for enhancing Afghanistan's development. This paper reviews existing groundwater resource knowledge, management initiatives, and programs in the region. Key issues such as pollution, overexploitation, and climate change impacts are analyzed, highlighting the urgent need for effective management strategies. Establishing groundwater monitoring systems, analyzing the relationship between groundwater and aquatic ecosystems, regulating transboundary aquifers, and building capacity for groundwater management are among the recommendations. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring the sustainable use of groundwater resources in Kabul City and beyond.