Overview

India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Key Ecosystems Covered

The guide comprehensively documents the following Open Natural Ecosystems:

  • Himalayan and Terai grasslands
  • Thar desert landscapes
  • Banni grasslands (Gujarat)
  • Deccan savannas
  • Aravalli scrublands
  • Yamuna-Chambal ravines
  • Western Ghats rocky plateaus
  • Central Nicobar grasslands
  • Tamil Nadu's Theri Kaadu

Correcting the 'Wasteland' Perception

The guide emphasizes that:

  • Grasslands, scrublands and ravines should not be judged merely by lack of tree cover
  • These are distinct, naturally occurring ecosystems with high ecological and socio-economic value
  • They require recognition as valuable ecosystems rather than 'wastelands'

Ecological Importance

ONEs provide critical ecosystem services:

  • Rich biodiversity support
  • Soil and water regulation processes
  • Carbon sequestration capabilities
  • Climate resilience contribution
  • Habitat for endangered species

Key Species Supported:

  • Great Indian Bustard
  • Lesser Florican
  • Bengal Florican
  • Indian Wolf
  • Blackbuck

Institutional Collaboration

The guide was developed under:

  • Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
  • Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Livelihood Significance

These ecosystems sustain:

  • Pastoral communities
  • Livestock-based communities
  • Agricultural communities
  • Traditional landscapes like Orans and gauchars
  • Reflect long-standing community-based management of grazing lands

Science-Based Restoration

The guide calls for:

  • Stronger scientific knowledge on ONEs
  • Improved land-degradation assessment
  • Landscape-level planning
  • Support for India's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets

Global Significance

  • Platform to showcase India's open ecosystems
  • Strengthen representation in global discourse on:
  • Land restoration
  • Rangelands
  • Land Degradation Neutrality

Constitutional and Policy Framework

  • Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy): Protection and improvement of environment
  • National Environment Policy, 2006
  • Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas
  • UNCCD obligations under international environmental law