India grasslands open ecosystems guide launched at UNCCD COP17 highlights biodiversity, pastoralism, carbon sequestration, land restoration and conservation.
India Introduces a Landmark Guide for Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems
India has launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India, marking an important development in the conservation of ecosystems that have traditionally received less attention than forests. The guide was unveiled on 17 August 2026 at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Significance of Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems
Grasslands and other naturally open ecosystems are important components of India’s ecological landscape. They include grasslands, savannas, scrublands, deserts, ravines, rocky plateaus and several other landscapes with limited tree cover. These ecosystems support biodiversity, contribute to soil and water processes, store carbon in their soils and provide livelihoods to pastoral, livestock-dependent and agricultural communities.
Guide Highlights India’s Diverse Open Ecosystems
The new guide brings together information about the geographical distribution, ecological characteristics, biodiversity and human communities associated with India’s open natural ecosystems. It covers diverse landscapes ranging from the Himalayan and Terai grasslands to the Thar and Banni landscapes, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, coastal ecosystems and deserts.
Focus on Biodiversity and Ecological Functions
One of the major objectives of the guide is to improve recognition of the ecological value of open ecosystems. These landscapes are not simply areas where trees are absent. They can support specialised species and ecological processes that are adapted to particular climatic and geographical conditions. The guide therefore promotes a broader understanding of conservation that includes both forested and naturally open landscapes.
Importance for Pastoral Communities and Livelihoods
Grasslands and rangelands are closely connected with the livelihoods of pastoral and livestock-dependent communities. Traditional systems such as Oran and gauchar landscapes demonstrate how communities have historically managed grazing resources and maintained connections between land, livestock and livelihoods. The new approach places community participation and people-centred rangeland governance alongside scientific conservation.
Pastoralism, Fire Ecology and Carbon Sequestration Covered
The guide contains thematic sections on pastoralism, fire ecology and carbon sequestration. These subjects are important for understanding how open ecosystems function and how human activities interact with them. In particular, carbon stored in soils makes grasslands and other open ecosystems relevant to climate-change mitigation and resilience strategies.
Science-Based Conservation Gets Greater Emphasis
Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasised that grasslands, scrublands and ravines should not be judged merely by their lack of trees. He stressed the need for science-based conservation of open natural ecosystems alongside forests and highlighted their importance for biodiversity, livelihoods and climate resilience.
Contribution to Land Degradation Neutrality
The launch is also connected with India’s efforts towards Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). Discussions at the COP17 side event highlighted the importance of stronger scientific knowledge, improved land-degradation assessment and landscape-level planning for effective restoration. Bringing open ecosystems into land-restoration policies can help ensure that conservation efforts are suited to the ecological characteristics of each landscape.
Institutions Behind the Guide
The launch was conducted under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The publication and event were organised by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), and Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO.
Importance for Government Exam Aspirants
For government exam candidates, this development is important from the perspective of environment and ecology, biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, sustainable development and international environmental conventions. Questions can potentially focus on the UNCCD, COP17, Open Natural Ecosystems, Land Degradation Neutrality, grassland conservation and the institutions involved in preparing the guide.
India’s Broader Conservation Approach
The initiative represents a shift towards a more landscape-based approach to environmental conservation. Instead of concentrating exclusively on forests, it recognises grasslands, rangelands, deserts, savannas and other open ecosystems as important ecological assets. The guide is expected to support policymakers, researchers, conservation practitioners, development agencies and local communities in planning conservation and restoration activities.
Why This News Is Important
Recognition of Neglected Ecosystems
The launch of India’s first guide to grasslands and other open natural ecosystems is significant because it gives greater scientific and policy recognition to landscapes that have often been overlooked because of their limited tree cover. For environmental governance, recognising the ecological value of naturally open landscapes is essential for designing appropriate conservation strategies.
Relevance to Biodiversity Conservation
Open ecosystems support distinctive biodiversity and provide habitats for species adapted to grassland, savanna, desert and scrub environments. Their conservation is therefore important for maintaining India’s overall ecological diversity. The guide provides a consolidated knowledge base on these ecosystems and their associated biodiversity.
Link with Climate Resilience
Grasslands and other open ecosystems can contribute to climate resilience through ecosystem functions and carbon storage in soils. Their restoration and sustainable management can therefore complement broader climate and land-management objectives. The guide’s focus on carbon sequestration makes it particularly relevant to climate-change studies.
Importance for Livelihoods
Many communities depend on grasslands and rangelands for livestock grazing and other livelihood activities. The guide’s emphasis on pastoralism and people-centred governance highlights the connection between environmental conservation and rural livelihoods. This makes the initiative relevant not only to ecology but also to rural development and sustainable resource management.
Relevance to Land Degradation Neutrality
The initiative is directly connected with efforts to address land degradation and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality. Discussions at the launch stressed improved scientific assessment and landscape-level restoration. For competitive examinations, this connects national environmental policy with international efforts under the UNCCD.
Historical Context: Evolution of Grassland and Land Conservation in India
Traditional Community-Based Conservation
Long before modern conservation policies, communities across India developed traditional systems for managing grazing lands and common resources. Oran and gauchar landscapes are examples of community-associated open areas where land, livestock and local livelihoods have been closely interconnected. Such traditional systems demonstrate that conservation of open ecosystems has both ecological and cultural dimensions.
Earlier Focus on Forest Conservation
India’s conservation discourse has historically placed substantial emphasis on forests because of their importance for biodiversity, watershed protection and climate regulation. However, a forest-centric approach can overlook naturally treeless ecosystems whose ecological functions are different from those of forests. The new guide seeks to strengthen recognition of these ecosystems as distinct conservation priorities.
Growing Importance of Land Degradation
Land degradation has emerged as a major environmental and development challenge because declining land quality can affect biodiversity, agricultural productivity, water systems and rural livelihoods. The UNCCD provides an international framework for addressing desertification, land degradation and drought. India’s emphasis on open ecosystems fits within this wider agenda of sustainable land management.
India’s Land Degradation Neutrality Efforts
Restoration of degraded land and sustainable management of natural resources are important components of India’s environmental commitments. The discussions surrounding the new guide highlighted the role that restoration of grasslands and other open ecosystems can play in India’s Land Degradation Neutrality targets.
UNCCD COP17 and Global Environmental Cooperation
The guide was launched during UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, placing India’s grasslands and open ecosystems within an international discussion on land restoration and sustainable land management. The launch provides India with an opportunity to highlight the country’s ecological diversity and strengthen the representation of rangelands and open ecosystems in global environmental discussions.
Key Takeaways from India’s First Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | First-ever guide: India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India on 17 August 2026. |
| 2 | Launch venue: The guide was launched at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. |
| 3 | Key ecosystems covered: The guide covers Himalayan and Terai grasslands, Thar and Banni landscapes, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, coastal ecosystems and deserts. |
| 4 | Major themes: The guide addresses pastoralism, fire ecology, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and land restoration. |
| 5 | Policy significance: The initiative supports science-based conservation, sustainable land management and India’s efforts towards Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). |
FAQs
1. What is the Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems of India?
It is India’s first comprehensive guide dedicated to understanding and documenting grasslands and other naturally open ecosystems, including their ecology, biodiversity, geographical distribution, livelihoods and conservation significance.
2. When was India’s first guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems launched?
The guide was launched on 17 August 2026.
3. Where was the guide launched?
It was launched during the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
4. What are Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs)?
Open Natural Ecosystems are naturally occurring landscapes characterised by relatively low tree cover. They include grasslands, savannas, scrublands, deserts, rocky plateaus, ravines and other naturally open landscapes.
5. Why are grasslands important for India?
Grasslands support biodiversity, provide grazing resources, contribute to soil and water processes, store carbon in soils and support the livelihoods of pastoral and livestock-dependent communities.
6. Which Indian landscapes are highlighted in the guide?
The guide covers diverse landscapes such as Himalayan and Terai grasslands, Thar and Banni landscapes, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, coastal ecosystems and deserts.
7. Which international convention is associated with the launch?
The launch was associated with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
8. What is Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)?
Land Degradation Neutrality is an approach aimed at maintaining or improving the condition of land resources so that the amount and quality of productive land resources remain stable or improve over time.
9. Which communities are particularly associated with grasslands and rangelands?
Pastoral and livestock-dependent communities have strong economic and cultural links with grasslands and rangelands through livestock grazing and traditional land-management practices.
10. What traditional Indian landscapes are mentioned in relation to community-based conservation?
Oran and gauchar landscapes are important examples of traditional community-associated open landscapes and grazing areas.
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