Qosh Tepa Canal, Large irrigation canal in northern Afghanistan.
Qosh Tepa Canal is an irrigation channel in the northern Afghan provinces of Balkh, Jowzjan and Faryab, drawing water from the Amu Darya River. The structure connects several districts across a distance of more than 280 kilometers and aims to open farmland in desert zones.
The idea emerged in the 1970s under President Mohammad Daud, who secured water rights from the Soviet Union. After his assassination the project remained dormant until work began in 2022.
The name comes from Turkic languages and translates as Two Hills, referring to the landscape of the region. Local residents view the structure as hope for future harvests in areas that remained dry until now.
Access to the canal depends on local conditions, as the structure passes through remote areas. Visitors should check current conditions before traveling to the affected districts.
Satellite images between April 2022 and February 2023 showed rapid progress in the excavation work. The undertaking aims to convert more than half a million hectares of desert into cultivated land.
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