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India Challenges First-Ever Grassland Conservation Guide at UNCCD COP17 | Peak News
Миний 17

India Challenges First-Ever Grassland Conservation Guide at UNCCD COP17

Ч.Сумъяабазар
08 сарын 19, 2026

In a major policy shift targeting long-overlooked ecosystems, India has officially launched its first-ever comprehensive 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.

The landmark document seeks to redefine global conservation priorities, moving beyond traditional, tree-centric forestry models to protect non-forested landscapes that harbor critical biodiversity, support millions of pastoralists, and act as vital carbon sinks.

Redefining 'Wastelands' Through Science

For centuries, colonial-era land policies and modern forestry management routinely classified grasslands, savannas, scrublands, and ravines as unproductive "wastelands" simply because they lacked dense canopy cover. This historical bias frequently led to well-intentioned but ecologically damaging tree-planting initiatives in naturally open habitats.

Addressing delegates at the summit via video message, Indian Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav highlighted the urgent need to overturn these systemic misconceptions.

"Grasslands, scrublands, and ravines have been undervalued due to the absence of trees, even though these ecosystems host unique species and support pastoral communities. Modern science reinforces the understanding of local communities that healthy grasslands are essential for biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate resilience."
— Bhupender Yadav, Indian Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Developed by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) alongside India's Environment Ministry, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Space Applications Centre (SAC) at ISRO, the guide maps 24 distinct open ecosystem types across the sub-continent.

Crucial Carbon Sinks and Safeguards for Endangered Wildlife
While public attention often focuses on tropical rainforests as primary carbon sinks, researchers emphasize that open ecosystems store substantial amounts of organic carbon, primarily below ground in root systems and undisturbed soil matrices. This underground storage renders grassland carbon far less vulnerable to surface fires and heatwaves than forest foliage.

Furthermore, India's open natural ecosystems serve as the final strongholds for threatened species that cannot survive in closed canopy forests, including:

  • The Great Indian Bustard: A critically endangered bird species heavily dependent on pristine dry grasslands.
  • The Lesser Florican: Known for its striking breeding displays across seasonal grasslands.
  • Specialized Fauna: The Indian grey wolf, blackbuck, and various endemic reptilian species reliant on rocky plateaus and ravines.

Satellite Mapping and Land Degradation Targets
The integration of advanced satellite remote sensing from the Space Applications Centre (SAC) at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) forms a key pillar of the new initiative. By mapping soil characteristics, fire ecology patterns, and seasonal vegetation changes, Indian scientists can track land degradation with high precision.

The publication provides actionable baseline data to support India’s commitment to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). By establishing science-based restoration guidelines for rangelands, the initiative aims to safeguard pastoral, livestock-driven livelihoods without compromising fragile, naturally treeless biomes.

As discussions at COP17 in Ulaanbaatar continue through 28 August, India’s presentation sets a new precedent for arid and semi-arid nations worldwide, demonstrating that effective climate action requires protecting open horizons as rigorously as dense forests.


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Санал болгох

1 Minimum Monthly Wage Increases Up to One Million Togrogs

2 China Showcases Decades of Anti-Desertification Achievements at UN Climate Summit in Ulaanbaatar

3 Global Climate Summit Surpasses Expectations as Mongolia Hosts Landmark Desertification Conference

4 Bagakhangai–Khushig Valley–Emeelt Railway Set to Open Next Month

5 81.9% of Mongolia’s territory affected by desertification and land degradation

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