NEW DELHI — In a major push toward holistic environmental conservation, India on Monday officially launched its first-ever comprehensive guide dedicated to grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs). The landmark document was unveiled at a side event during the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Virtually addressing delegates at the international summit, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav hailed the initiative as a decisive step toward recognizing landscapes that have historically been overlooked in national ecological frameworks.
"Grasslands, scrublands, and ravines have for too long been judged merely by the absence of trees," Yadav stated. "Despite this misperception, these ecosystems shelter species found nowhere else on Earth and sustain millions of pastoral communities. Modern science reinforces what local stewards have known for generations: healthy grasslands are indispensable for biodiversity, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience."
The newly released guide compiles exhaustive data on India's diverse non-forest natural habitats, spanning from high-altitude Himalayan and Terai grasslands to the arid expanses of the Thar Desert, Banni grasslands, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, and coastal scrublands.
Beyond mapping geographical and ecological characteristics, the document offers detailed thematic insights into pastoralism, fire ecology, and the critical role these open landscapes play in soil carbon sequestration. Experts emphasize that while forests receive primary conservation attention, open natural ecosystems store massive amounts of carbon below ground while regulating vital soil and hydrological processes.
By integrating traditional community knowledge with modern ecological science, India aims to establish a scientific foundation for preserving these fragile biomes, mitigating land degradation, and supporting livestock-based rural economies across the country.
