India's First Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems (Geography)
India's First Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems (Geography)
Why In News:
India released its first-ever guide to grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at the UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia on 17 August 2026.
Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs)
About: ONEs are naturally open landscapes dominated by grasses, shrubs and sparse trees, including grasslands, savannas, scrublands, rangelands, deserts, rocky plateaus and ravines.
Natural Ecosystems: Unlike degraded or deforested land, ONEs are naturally treeless or sparsely wooded. Converting them into dense plantations can disrupt their native biodiversity and ecological functions.
Biodiversity: They provide critical habitats for species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Blackbuck, Chinkara and Indian Wolf.
Carbon & Ecosystem Services: ONEs store significant carbon in soils and root systems, support soil and water processes, and contribute to ecological resilience.
Livelihoods: They sustain pastoral, livestock-based and agricultural livelihoods, including traditional commons such as Orans (sacred groves) and Gauchars (grazing lands).
Ecological Management: Natural processes such as controlled fire and grazing can play an important role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of grasslands and other ONEs.
About the Guide
The Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems maps major ONEs, including the Banni grasslands, Thar Desert, Terai grasslands and Deccan savannas, while documenting aspects such as pastoralism, grazing practices and fire ecology.
Paradigm shift: Replaces the 'wasteland' approach that historically allowed grasslands to be diverted for plantations and infrastructure.
Ecological recognition: Formally recognises grasslands and open ecosystems as having distinct ecological, economic, and livelihood value.
International Link and India's Targets
UNCCD: The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), adopted in 1994, is a legally binding Rio Convention focused on combating desertification, land degradation and drought.
Its secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany, while the Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as its principal decision-making body.
Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN): India's target is to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030.