Open Natural Ecosystems
Recent discourse challenges the common view of deserts as barren wastelands needing transformation. Deserts cover nearly one-third of the Earth’s land and host unique ecosystems and cultures. Recognising their ecological and cultural importance is vital for sustainable land management.
Deserts as Ancient and Resilient Biomes
Deserts are not failures of nature but ancient landscapes adapted to extreme conditions. They support specialised plants and animals that survive with minimal water. Early human civilisations, such as those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley, flourished in desert climates. Harsh desert conditions encourageed innovation in irrigation and social organisation.
India’s Open Natural Ecosystems
India’s grasslands, savannas, and scrublands are often misclassified as wastelands. This colonial-era label implies these lands are degraded and need fixing through afforestation or agriculture. However, these ecosystems are rich in biodiversity, harbouring species like the Great Indian Bustard, caracal, and Indian wolf. They also store carbon mainly in soil rather than trees.
Pastoral Communities and Ecosystem Stewardship
Millions of pastoralists, including the Dhangar, Rabari, and Kuruba, depend on open ecosystems for grazing. Their mobility and traditional knowledge maintain biodiversity and ecosystem health. Converting grasslands into forests or fencing them disrupts these livelihoods and ecological balance.
Rethinking Land Restoration and Conservation
Effective dryland restoration respects native vegetation and soil moisture. Indigenous knowledge and low-tech methods like water harvesting and rotational grazing outperform large-scale tree planting projects. Policies must recognise ecosystem diversity, reward soil carbon storage, and support pastoral land use to sustain these landscapes.
Changing Perspectives on Desertification
The term desertification often wrongly implies deserts are degraded lands. Instead, combating land degradation should focus on restoring ecosystem function without erasing natural desert traits. Renaming global observances to reflect this can help shift attitudes and promote more nuanced conservation strategies.
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