• India released its first guidelines for grasslands and other open natural ecosystems during the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The initiative marks an important step towards recognising, conserving, restoring, and sustainably managing India’s grasslands and other open natural ecosystems.

    Key Features of the Guide

    ¨ This guide consolidates information on India's major open natural ecosystems, covering their geographical settings, ecological characteristics, biodiversity, and the communities and tribes associated with them.

    ¨  It details the diversity and distribution of India's grasslands and other open natural ecosystems, alongside descriptions of their key landscapes and ecological traits.

    ¨     It includes dedicated thematic sections on pastoralism, fire ecology, and carbon sequestration.

    ¨     The guide aims to strengthen the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of India's open natural ecosystems.

    ¨     It emphasizes the need to move beyond the traditional tree-centric approach to conservation, recognizing grasslands, scrublands, ravines, and other open natural ecosystems—alongside forests—as distinct ecosystems requiring science-based conservation.

    ¨     This guide serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, conservationists, development agencies, and local communities.

    India's Open Natural Ecosystems

    ¨     India's open natural ecosystems encompass a variety of treeless landscapes, such as Himalayan and Terai grasslands, the landscapes of the Thar and Banni regions, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, coastal ecosystems, and desert landscapes.

    ¨     According to a 2022 high-resolution mapping study, semi-arid open natural ecosystems cover approximately 320,000 square kilometers—about 10 percent of India's total geographical area. They are primarily distributed across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.

    ¨ These ecosystems support rich biodiversity, including species such as the Great Indian Bustard and the Blackbuck. Additionally, they contribute to soil and water processes and facilitate significant underground carbon storage. These ecosystems sustain animal husbandry as well as livestock- and agriculture-based livelihoods, while providing vital fodder resources for communities dependent on livestock.

    ¨   Historically, grasslands, shrublands, and ravines have often been labeled as "wastelands" or "degraded areas" simply because they lack dense tree cover. Consequently, they have not received adequate recognition in conservation and land-use planning.

    ¨   Traditional Oran (sacred groves) and Gauchar (grazing land) landscapes—conserved and managed by local communities—demonstrate the intricate interlinkages between ecosystems, livestock, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

    Significance

    ¨  Biodiversity Conservation: Recognizes the ecological importance of open ecosystems and the need to conserve the endemic species found within them.

    ¨   Climate Resilience: Healthy grasslands are crucial for biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate resilience; their soils store significant amounts of carbon.

    ¨     Livelihoods: These ecosystems support animal husbandry as well as livestock- and agriculture-based livelihoods.

    ¨ Land Degradation Neutrality: Restoring grasslands and other open natural ecosystems can contribute to achieving India's Land Degradation Neutrality goals.

    ¨ Science-based Conservation: Its launch underscored the need to strengthen scientific knowledge, improve the assessment of land degradation, and enhance landscape-level planning.

    ¨ Community Participation: It places special emphasis on people-centric pasture management and the role of local communities in sustainable management.

    ¨     Global Recognition: Launched at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), this initiative provides a platform for India to showcase its diverse open ecosystems globally and elevate their role in the global discourse on land restoration, pastures, and Land Degradation Neutrality.