A Study of the Kuchi Population in the Kabul New City Area

Kabul City has experienced rapid population growth over the last ten years placing severe pressures on the limited land resources and local infrastructure. In 2010, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) concluded an agreement with the Afghan government to implement a technical cooperation project entitled the Greater Kabul Develpment (GKD) project, extending the Kabul city into Deh Sabz district. In this large-scale, five-year project (2010-2014), JICA has been supporting improvement of Afghanistan's capacity in the development of infrastructure, implementation of new city development and urban revitalisation.

As a part of the GKD project, the area of Deh Sabz and Barik Ab has been selected as the intended site for the New Kabul City - a development that when completed will occupy a space 1.5 times the size of the current capital and include agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential developments. The intended development will affect the current residents as well as migratory and sedentary Kuchi populations that have traditionally used the deserts of Deh Sabz and the pastures of Barik Ab to graze their animals in the warmer months. In order to help GKD in its strategic planning and decision-making process, this survey focuses on the impact of the GKD project on the local Kuchi populations.