The BBC reported in July that there is a flourishing trade in the furs of endangered animals in Afghanistan.
BBC reporter Jannat Jalil reports that such stores are allowed to operate openly because the new Afghanistan government has not yet finalized a law to outlaw the practice. In addition, the influx of foreigners with the United Nations, other NGOs, and an international peacekeeping force has created a market for such furs.
Environment Minister Yousef Nouristani told the BBC,
“We have asked most of the foreigners not to buy these things and if there is not a market from the foreigners the Afghan people probably don’t need it,” he says.
“It’s the market created by the foreigners — particularly those who are working with the UN or other NGOs.”
Jalil suggests that even snow leopards might be killed for their fur. There are only an estimated 100 or so snow leopards in Afghanistan. He reports going into a story in Kabul and asking about snow leopard fur. The response from the shop keeper was that he had already sold out of such furs. In another shop she finds snow leopard fur for sale, but the shop keeper insists the furs are 10-15 years old.
Source:
Afghans flout fur ban. Jannat Jalil, The BBC, July 21, 2003.