New Delhi: India has launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Launched on August 17, 2026, the guide highlights the rich ecological diversity and socio-economic importance of India’s grasslands, savannas, deserts, scrublands, ravines and other open natural ecosystems. The publication marks an important step towards strengthening their conservation, restoration and sustainable management.
Bhupender Yadav Stresses Science-Based Conservation
The launch was preceded by a special video message from Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav.
Yadav emphasised that grasslands, scrublands and ravines have historically been judged mainly by the absence of trees, despite their ecological and economic importance.
He said these ecosystems support unique biodiversity and sustain pastoral communities, while modern scientific understanding reinforces the importance of healthy grasslands for:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Livelihoods
- Climate resilience
- Soil and water processes
- Carbon storage
The Minister stressed that open natural ecosystems need science-based conservation alongside forests.
Minister Recalls Rajasthan’s Traditional Grazing Landscapes
Yadav said the guide is particularly close to him because he grew up in Ajmer, Rajasthan, where grazing lands and desert scrub were often described as “wasteland”.
Recalling traditional Oran and gauchar landscapes, he highlighted how local communities historically understood the close relationship between land, livestock and livelihoods.
He said traditional community knowledge, combined with modern science, can play an important role in conserving and sustainably managing India’s open ecosystems.
Guide Covers India’s Diverse Open Natural Ecosystems
The new guide brings together information on major Open Natural Ecosystems across India, covering their geographical settings, ecological characteristics, biodiversity and the communities and tribes associated with them.
India’s ONEs include a wide range of landscapes.
Major Ecosystems Covered
- Himalayan and Terai grasslands
- Thar desert landscapes
- Banni grasslands
- Deccan savannas
- Rocky plateaus
- Ravines
- Scrublands
- Coastal ecosystems
- Desert landscapes
The guide also includes thematic sections covering pastoralism, fire ecology and carbon sequestration.
Grasslands Support Biodiversity and Livelihoods
The publication highlights the ecological and socio-economic value of India’s open natural ecosystems.
These landscapes support diverse species and contribute to important ecological processes involving soil and water. They also store substantial amounts of carbon in their soils.
At the same time, grasslands and other open ecosystems support pastoral, livestock-based and agricultural livelihoods, making their sustainable management important for both conservation and local communities.
Guide Supports India’s Land Degradation Neutrality Goals
The launch event highlighted the role of grassland and ONE restoration in helping India achieve its Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.
Presentations and discussions focused on:
- Diversity and distribution of India’s grasslands and ONEs
- Ecological importance of open ecosystems
- Restoration and land degradation
- Scientific knowledge and assessment
- Landscape-level planning
- Sustainable land management
- Climate resilience
Participants also emphasised the need for better scientific knowledge and improved methods for assessing land degradation.
ATREE, IUCN and Other Institutions Collaborate on Guide
The guide was launched at an official UNCCD COP17 side event held under the aegis and guidance of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India.
The publication and event were organised by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in collaboration with:
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management (CoE-SLM)
- Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)
- Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO
The event brought together representatives from government, scientific and research institutions, international organisations and civil society.
Experts Discuss Grassland and Dryland Conservation
The COP17 side event also featured two fireside chats involving national and international experts, scientific institutions, civil society organisations and community-focused groups.
Discussions covered several aspects of open ecosystem conservation and restoration, including:
- Grassland and dryland conservation
- Restoration of degraded landscapes
- People-centred rangeland governance
- Climate resilience
- Landscape-scale conservation
- Institutional and policy measures
- Scientific approaches to sustainable management
The discussions highlighted the need to combine scientific research with community participation for effective conservation of grasslands and other ONEs.
India Pushes Landscape-Based Approach to Land Restoration
The launch reaffirmed India’s commitment to a science-informed and landscape-based approach to land restoration and sustainable land management.
The initiative seeks to bring grasslands, rangelands and other open ecosystems into mainstream discussions on:
- Land degradation neutrality
- Biodiversity conservation
- Climate resilience
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Ecosystem restoration
The guide is expected to provide a useful reference for policymakers, researchers, conservation practitioners, development agencies and communities working on the conservation and sustainable management of India’s open natural ecosystems.
Guide to Strengthen Global Recognition of India’s Open Ecosystems
The launch of the guide at UNCCD COP17 provides India with an international platform to showcase the diversity and importance of its grasslands and other open natural ecosystems.
It is also expected to strengthen the representation of these ecosystems in global discussions around land restoration, rangelands and Land Degradation Neutrality.
By combining scientific knowledge, traditional community understanding and landscape-level planning, the initiative aims to support the long-term conservation and sustainable management of India’s diverse open natural ecosystems.
