Afghanistan has established its first national park, known as Band-e-Amir, which will protect six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams made of travertine, a mineral deposit. The park is near the Bamyan Valley, where the 1500-year-old Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban once stood (BBC News).

Travertine systems are found in only a handful of places around the world, most of which are protected on the world heritage list drawn up by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, which will help manage the park, hopes it will encourage tourism to the war torn country.

The park was established with financial help from the United States Agency for International Development and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

“Band-e-Amir will be Afghanistan’s first national park and sets the precedent for a future national park system,” said Steven E. Sanderson, president and CEO of the WCS.

It’s a nice idea. But given that Afghanistan’s government has a very thin hold on the nation’s security, it’s a bit difficult to see where they will get the extra manpower needed to protect the park.