Photo @coryrichards On assignment for @natgeo with @intotheokavango Meet Tim Gargan (@tim.gargan) a de-miner with the HALO Trust (@thehalotrust) an organization working to remove the left-over land mines from Angola's decades-long civil war. Tim grew up in Scarborough North Yorkshire, the son of a Police officer and nurse. When he was 18, he joined the Army Reserve and at 22, joined the British Military. In 2004, he did his first tour in Iraq. In 2007 he was deployed to Afghanistan and joined the Royal Engineers in 2009. His job there saw him return to Afghanistan in 2011 to clear roads of IEDs. Two years later, he left the military to do something "unambiguously good", joining HALO and employing his work with the Royal Engineers working to clear land mines. As with all work, even de-mining has unforeseen impacts. While HALOs work has cleared countless acres and saved hundreds of lives, the newly opened lands are quickly occupied...often within days, and sometimes hours. As areas become safe, the land is often quickly deforested for agriculture and charcoal...both subsistence industries in most cases. The deforestation destroys root infrastructure in the soil leading to flood/drought cycles brought on by the soils inability to hold water. It's a true catch 22...through undeniable good, some bad also occurs and has deep environmental impacts. It is clear that safety of individuals and communities is of utmost importance. But what does it mean for the future of Angola's environment and water? For more images from the trip follow @coryrichards and @intotheokavango Posted from the field #okavango15 @thephotosociety @eddiebauer @natgeocreative
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