India has launched its first ever guide to grasslands and other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) highlighting their ecological, biodiversity and socio economic importance.
The guide was launched at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav described the initiative as an important step towards recognising and conserving India’s grasslands, savannas, deserts, scrublands and other open ecosystems through science based approaches.
The guide provides information on the geographical settings, ecological features, biodiversity and communities associated with major open natural ecosystems across India. It also includes thematic sections on pastoralism, fire ecology and carbon sequestration.
India’s open natural ecosystems include Himalayan and Terai grasslands, the Thar and Banni landscapes, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, coastal ecosystems and desert regions.
These landscapes support unique wildlife, contribute to soil and water processes, store significant amounts of carbon and provide livelihoods for pastoral, livestock-dependent and agricultural communities.
The initiative aims to improve recognition and conservation of ecosystems that have often been overlooked because they are judged mainly by the absence of trees.