India Launches First Guide to Grasslands at UNCCD COP17

India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India on 17 August 2026 at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The guide classifies 24 ecosystem types found across India and covers grasslands, savannas, scrublands, rocky plateaus, ravines, and coastal ecosystems.

Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems

Grasslands are open habitats dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants, with few or no trees. Open natural ecosystems in India include Himalayan and Terai grasslands, Deccan savannas, Thar and Banni landscapes, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, and coastal ecosystems.

Institutional and Scientific Context

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) developed the guide in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and other partners. The document includes thematic sections on pastoralism, fire ecology, and carbon sequestration, which are standard subjects in ecology and land management studies.

Community Land Use and Conservation Terms

Bhupender Yadav referred to Oran and gauchar landscapes from Ajmer, Rajasthan, during the launch event. Oran is a traditional community-protected sacred grove or commons in western India, while gauchar refers to village grazing land used for livestock.

Important Facts for Exams

• UNCCD stands for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, a global treaty adopted in 1994.
• COP17 refers to the 17th Conference of the Parties under the UNCCD framework.
• ATREE is a Bengaluru-based research institution known for ecology and conservation studies.
• Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon in vegetation, soils, and ecosystems.

Exam-Relevant Static Facts

India has a wide range of open ecosystems that support biodiversity, grazing, and traditional livelihoods. The guide is intended for policymakers, conservation practitioners, and researchers working on science-based conservation of open ecosystems.