India has launched its first guide to grasslands and open natural ecosystems at UNCCD COP17, highlighting their biodiversity, climate value, livelihoods and importance for sustainable land management.

India Launches First Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems

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

The publication aims to draw greater attention to India’s grasslands, savannas, deserts, scrublands and other open landscapes. It also seeks to support their conservation, restoration and sustainable use through a stronger scientific understanding of their ecological and social value.

Bhupender Yadav Highlights Importance of Grasslands

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav addressed the launch through a special video message.

Yadav pointed out that grasslands, scrublands and ravines have frequently been viewed as areas of little value because they contain fewer trees. However, these landscapes support distinctive biodiversity and provide important resources for communities dependent on livestock and pastoral activities.

He stressed that healthy grasslands play an important role in biodiversity conservation, livelihoods and climate resilience. According to him, open ecosystems require the same kind of science-based conservation attention that is traditionally given to forests.

Traditional Landscapes Offer Lessons in Conservation

Yadav also recalled his childhood experiences in Ajmer, Rajasthan, where grazing areas and desert scrub were often referred to as wasteland.

He highlighted traditional landscapes such as Orans and gauchars, which have been protected by local communities for generations. These areas demonstrate the close relationship between land, livestock and rural livelihoods.

The Minister said the new guide could help change perceptions about open ecosystems and encourage greater recognition of their ecological importance.

Guide Maps India’s Diverse Open Ecosystems

The publication provides an overview of India's major open natural ecosystems and describes their geographical locations, ecological characteristics, biodiversity and connections with local communities and tribal groups.

India's open ecosystems cover a wide range of landscapes, including:

• Himalayan and Terai grasslands

• Thar and Banni landscapes

• Deccan savannas

• Rocky plateaus

• Ravines and scrublands

• Coastal ecosystems

• Desert landscapes

These ecosystems support numerous plant and animal species while also contributing to important soil and water processes.

Grasslands Support Biodiversity and Livelihoods

The guide highlights the wider ecological and economic contributions of open natural ecosystems. Their soils can store substantial quantities of carbon, while the landscapes support pastoralism, livestock rearing and agriculture.

For many communities, particularly those dependent on grazing and livestock, grasslands and rangelands are directly linked to livelihoods.

The publication also includes dedicated sections on pastoralism, fire ecology and carbon sequestration, providing a broader perspective on how natural processes and human activities interact within these landscapes.

Stronger Focus on Science-Based Restoration

The guide was launched during an official UNCCD COP17 side event organised under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The publication and event were organised by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management (CoE-SLM), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO.

Government representatives, researchers, scientific institutions, international organisations and civil society groups participated in the event.

Grasslands Linked to India’s Land Degradation Goals

Presentations at the event examined the distribution and diversity of India's grasslands and other open ecosystems. Experts also discussed their ecological importance and the role of restoration in meeting India's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) objectives.

Participants emphasised the importance of improving scientific knowledge about these landscapes. Better assessment of land degradation and landscape-level planning were also identified as important requirements for effective restoration.

A stronger evidence base could help policymakers and conservation organisations design restoration programmes suited to the specific conditions of different ecosystems.

Experts Discuss Community-Led Conservation

The event also featured two fireside discussions involving Indian and international experts, scientific organisations, civil society groups and community-focused institutions.

The discussions covered several key themes, including:

• Grassland and dryland conservation

• Rangeland restoration

• People-centred rangeland governance

• Climate resilience

• Landscape-scale conservation

• Sustainable management of open ecosystems

Experts stressed that successful conservation cannot rely only on scientific or government interventions. Local communities and people whose livelihoods depend on these landscapes also have an important role in managing and protecting them.

Bringing Open Ecosystems Into Mainstream Conservation

The launch represents a broader effort to ensure that grasslands, rangelands and other open natural ecosystems receive greater attention in discussions about land degradation, biodiversity, climate change and sustainable livelihoods.

For decades, landscapes with limited tree cover have sometimes received less conservation attention than forests. The new guide aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of their ecological functions and social importance.

Guide Could Support Policymakers and Researchers

The publication is expected to serve as a reference for policymakers, researchers, conservation practitioners, development organisations and local communities.

By bringing information about India's diverse open ecosystems together in one resource, the guide could support better planning for conservation, restoration and sustainable land management.

Its launch at UNCCD COP17 also gives India an opportunity to highlight the country's grasslands, rangelands and drylands in international discussions on land restoration and Land Degradation Neutrality.

Conclusion

India's first Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems marks an important step towards recognising the value of landscapes beyond forests.

By combining scientific information with traditional knowledge and community perspectives, the guide aims to promote better conservation and sustainable management. Its launch at UNCCD COP17 reinforces India's focus on biodiversity, climate resilience, land restoration and sustainable livelihoods.