Korangal valley

The Korengal valley, Afghanistan, is located on the south part of the Pech river. In the east there is Asadabad capital of Kunar Province, in the west there is Chapa Dara district, in the south it's Chawkay district (Diwagal valley). In the south east there is Narang wa Badil district (Badeil Valley), and in the south west - Nurgal district (Mazar valley), which includes Shumast Aret.

During 2007 and 2008, the valley has been the scene of fierce fighting between ISAF's Eastern Command comprised mostly of US forces; and anti-coalition militias, notably the Taliban. Professional British photographer Tim Hetherington won the World Press Photo award for 2007 with a shot he took while reporting on the war in Korangal valley for "Vanity Fair" magazine in [http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/01/afghanistan200801 January 2008] .

Other spellings

Korengal, Kurangal, Korangal کړنګل کوړنګل کوړينګل

Villages

The valley includes more than a dozen villages:

Including a few villages of Qalai-Gal- Valley

Tribes

The valley has 6 big tribes:
* Baba khel.
* Ghasu Khel.
* Langer Khel.
* Malik Khel.
* Mutiara Khel.
* Kathee Khel

The Korangalies are Pashai. They can speak Pashto because the Safi tribes are all around them and they have some integration with Safi tribes.

Agriculture and forestry

The valley has rocky mountains and there is not enough agricultural land but people manage.

The Korangal valley is lushly forested with large trees. Much of the valley's income is due to legal and illegal forestry and timber sales. In 2006, Coalition forces and the government of Afghanistan reclaimed the Lumber Yard and established the first government presence in the valley since before the Soviet Invasion. With the renewed government presence legal timber trade has increased through the valley.

External links

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AF/34/Karangal.html Maps, Weather and Airports for Karangal, Afghanistan]
* http://www.flickr.com/photos/korengal_valley/537234765/
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/magazine/24afghanistan-t.html Korangal Valley U.S. Military] NYTimes February 24 2008

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