Challenges of Environmental Governance in Afghanistan Under Taliban 2.0

Abstract

Afghanistan, a country with a rich tapestry of natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems, has faced numerous challenges over the past few decades, with environmental governance being one of the most critical yet often overlooked issues. Following the collapse of the Taliban 1.0 regime in 2001, significant steps were taken by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (IRoA) to establish institutional, legal, and policy frameworks to improve environmental governance in the country. During this period, the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) was established, and many environmental laws, regulations, and policies were formulated and implemented. Despite these efforts, the initiatives taken could not fully achieve their mandate. Consequently, environmental challenges continued to intensify, impacting people as severely as conflicts and violence. With the ascension of Taliban 2.0 to power, the governance system in the country as a whole, and environmental governance in particular, have undergone fundamental transformation. Under the regime's rule, the existing environmental protection frameworks have been severely undermined, further weakening the effectiveness of environmental governance and exacerbating environmental challenges. This study delves into the Taliban 2.0 regime's approach to environmental governance, examining the implications for Afghanistan's fragile ecosystems. By employing historical and descriptive-analytical methods, it aims to illuminate the challenges and consequences of the Taliban's environmental policies, contributing to a deeper understanding of the crisis facing Afghanistan's natural resources.