India Launches First-Ever Guide to Grasslands & ONEs at UNCCD COP17
In a landmark move for environmental conservation, India unveiled its inaugural Guide to Grasslands and
Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs)
during the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP17
) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
. The launch, guided by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), highlights the profound ecological, socio-economic, and biodiversity significance of India’s deserts, savannas, ravines, and scrublands. This document aims to dismantle the long-standing misconception that these areas are "wastelands," paving the way for science-based conservation
alongside traditional forest management.
UNCCD COP17
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Key Focus (ONEs)
Grasslands, Savannas, Deserts, Ravines
Collaborators
ATREE, IUCN, ICFRE, ISRO-SAC
Ecological Significance & Strategic Vision
The comprehensive guide emphasizes recognizing the interconnectedness of land, herds, and rural lives, particularly reflecting on traditional
Oran or gauchar landscapes
. It maps India's ONEs ranging from the Himalayan and Terai grasslands to the Thar and Banni landscapes.
🌍 Combating Land Degradation
Conserving these open ecosystems plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration and soil preservation, directly aligning with India's ambitious targets for
Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
.👩🏽🌾 Protecting Pastoral Livelihoods
These lands are not barren; they sustain complex pastoral, livestock-based, and agricultural livelihoods. Acknowledging their value empowers indigenous communities and tribes whose survival depends on
healthy grazing lands
.🔄 Collaborative Ecosystem
•
Spearheaded by MoEF&CC with technical expertise from ATREE and IUCN.
•
Involves scientific mapping and landscape-level planning aided by ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC).
•
Integrates modern science with traditional community knowledge on
climate resilience
.
The launch reaffirms India’s commitment to a science-informed approach. It brings rangelands and other open natural ecosystems into the mainstream global discourse on
Biodiversity Conservation
and Sustainable Land Management
.
UPSC CSE Quiz
1. With reference to the 'Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs)', consider the following statements:
1. It categorizes savannas, scrublands, and deserts in India as ecological wastelands to promote afforestation.
2. The guide was released during the 17th Session of the UNCCD COP held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
3. It emphasizes traditional conservation models like Oran and gauchar landscapes to support pastoral livelihoods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only ✓
C) 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Source Information
PIB (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
