Perceptions of Environmental Peacebuilding among Pakistani and Indian Scholars

Bilal Aslam, School of Integrated Social Sciences, University of Lahore (Pakistan)

Part of the Panel titled: Perceptions and Practices of Environmental Peacebuilding: Regional Cooperation, Knowledge Systems, and Risk Communication in South Asia Abstract: This study explores how Pakistani and Indian scholars and practitioners perceive the concept and practical relevance of environmental peacebuilding as a means of transforming conflict and fostering cooperation between the two countries. Using a mixed-method research design, the study employed a survey of 160 respondents comprising academics, Ph.D. scholars, and policy practitioners from both Pakistan and India alongside semi-structured interviews with key experts. The survey data were statistically analyzed using STATA, while interview responses were thematically coded to generate qualitative insights. Findings indicate a strong consensus among respondents (over 90%) that environmental issues and shared vulnerabilities particularly concerning water scarcity, climate change, and disaster risk reduction hold significant potential for building trust and promoting peace. Respondents highlighted the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as a limited yet enduring mechanism for conflict prevention, with many advocating for its renewal through joint river-basin management and expanded cooperation under Article VII. However, participants also emphasized that the success of environmental peacebuilding depends on political will, institutional capacity, and the inclusion of local actors beyond state-centric diplomacy. Bilal Aslam: Assistant Professor, School of Integrated Social Sciences (SISS), The University of Lahore, Lahore (Pakistan) bilal.aslam@siss.uol.edu.pk