The influence of traditional governance in peace and environmental stewardship in Afghanistan’s pastoral communities

Abstract

The article intends to contribute to the growing field of environmental peacebuilding within the discipline of peace and conflict studies. It examines the role of informal institutions, such as religious leaders, in conflict, peace, and environmental sustainability in Afghan pastoralist communities, with a focus on the nomadic Kutchi in central Afghanistan. Based on quantitative data collection and interviews with households and key informants in Afghanistan, the findings indicate that informal institutions continue playing their historical vital role in resolving disputes and managing resources. However, their effectiveness is declining due to environmental stresses and political instability. The article suggests that integrating informal institutions with formal governance could enhance community resilience and ensure sustainable conflict resolution, showing the potential of environmental peacebuilding for conflict resolution, in fragile pastoralist settings.