Beyond Trees: India Highlights the Hidden Value of Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), August 17: India has taken a major step towards bringing grasslands, savannas, deserts, scrublands and other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) into the mainstream of conservation with the launch of its first-ever ‘Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems of India’ at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The guide was launched along with a special video message from Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav. It aims to highlight the ecological and social importance of natural landscapes that have often been viewed as ‘wastelands’ simply because they do not have dense tree cover. Yadav said grasslands, scrublands and ravines are vital ecosystems that shelter species found nowhere else in the world and support the livelihoods of pastoral communities.
Recalling his childhood in Ajmer, Rajasthan, the minister said he grew up surrounded by grazing lands and desert scrub that were often described as wasteland. Referring to traditional Oran and Gauchar landscapes protected by villages, he said that local communities have long understood the close relationship between land, livestock and their own lives.
The guide was launched at a special UNCCD COP17 side event held under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was prepared by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Center of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and the Space Applications Center of ISRO.
Publication covers a wide range of India’s open natural ecosystems
The publication covers a wide range of India’s open natural ecosystems, from Himalayan and Terai grasslands to the Thar and Banni landscapes, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, coastal ecosystems and desert regions. It brings together information on their biodiversity, ecological characteristics, geographical settings and the communities associated with them. The guide also includes thematic sections on pastoralism, fire ecology and carbon sequestration.
Experts discussed the role of grassland and dryland restoration
Experts at the event discussed the role of grassland and dryland restoration in achieving India’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets. They also stressed the need for stronger scientific research, improved assessment of land degradation and landscape-level planning to ensure the long-term health of these ecosystems.
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India’s first guide on ONEs is expected to become an important resource for policymakers, researchers, conservation practitioners and local communities. Its launch at COP17 also gives India an opportunity to highlight the global importance of its diverse open ecosystems and strengthen their place in discussions on land restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.