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Band-e Amir is a series of picturesque lakes in central Afghanistan. The lakes of Band-e Amir are located in the Hindu Kush Mountains, about 3,000 meters above sea level. Due to the deposit of travertine in the lake, they have a deep blue color which make them usual and beautiful. The travertine deposits also create the walls of the lake, similar in appearance to those at Huanglong in China, but much larger in size.
Band-e Amir, Afghanistan
Author: Carl Montgomery (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Band-e Amir is one of the few lakes in the world created by travertine deposits. The area became Afghanistan's first national park in 2009, and are on the tentative list as UNESCO World Heritage Site of Afghanistan.
The name Band-e Amir means "Commander's Dam". The name refers to Imam Ali, the first imam of the Shia Muslims and the fourth Caliph of the Sunni Muslims. Band-e Amir comprises six lakes namely Band-e Gholaman (Slave Lake), Band-e Qambar (Caliph Ali's Slave Lake), Band-e Haibat (Grandiose Lake), Band-e Panir (Cheese Lake), Band-e Pudina (Wild Mint Lake), and Band-e Zulfiqar (Lake of the Sword of Ali). Of the six, Band-e Haibat is the biggest and deepest, reaching a depth of 150 meters.
The blue lake of Band-e Amir
Author: Carl Montgomery (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Located to the southeast of the town of Bamyan is Band-e Azhdahar, another lake created by travertine.
Visiting Band-e Amir
The lakes of Band-e Amir attract tourists particularly from late spring to summer. They are not suitable to be visited in winter, as the high elevation causes temperatures to drop to -20°C during that period. At the moment, tourist infrastructure is basic. Visitors will see that the area was mined by the local militia and the Taliban when the controlled it. Lack of local maintenance and increase in visitors have all posed a threat to the fragile ecology of Band-e Amir. In 2008, the Afghan government banned the use of boats with gasoline engines on the lakes, in an attempt to reduce pollution.
A glimpse of Band-e Amir
Author: Carl Montgomery (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Scenery at Band-e Amir
Author: Carl Montgomery (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
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