India has launched its first-ever ‘Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India’ 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 was unveiled on Monday as countries participating in the global forum discussed measures to address land degradation, desertification and the conservation of vulnerable ecosystems.

The publication is intended to improve understanding of India's grasslands and other open natural ecosystems, which are important but often overlooked components of the country's natural landscape. These ecosystems support biodiversity, provide habitats for wildlife and contribute to ecological functions such as soil conservation and carbon storage. The guide brings greater attention to their ecological significance and the need for their conservation.

Among the species identified as dependent on India's grasslands for survival are the great Indian bustard and the lesser florican, two threatened bird species whose habitats have come under increasing pressure. By documenting species associated with these ecosystems, the guide seeks to highlight the relationship between grassland conservation and the protection of wildlife that relies on open habitats.

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The launch at COP17 gives the publication an international platform, placing India's efforts to document and conserve open natural ecosystems within the broader global conversation on combating desertification and land degradation. The UNCCD conference brings together governments and other stakeholders to discuss sustainable land management and measures aimed at protecting vulnerable landscapes.

Grasslands and other open ecosystems can face pressure from changes in land use, infrastructure development, agricultural expansion and other forms of human activity. Their importance can sometimes be underestimated because they do not have the dense tree cover associated with forests. However, these landscapes can support distinctive plant and animal communities and play an important role in maintaining ecological balance.

The guide's focus on species such as the great Indian bustard and lesser florican also underscores the conservation value of India's open landscapes. Both birds are closely associated with grassland and other open habitats, making habitat protection an important component of efforts to safeguard their populations. Documenting the ecosystems on which such species depend can help strengthen conservation planning and public awareness.

The publication marks an effort to bring grasslands and other open natural ecosystems into sharper focus within India's environmental conservation framework. Its launch at a major UNCCD gathering also highlights the connection between biodiversity protection and the sustainable management of land. As countries work to address land degradation and desertification, greater recognition of ecosystems beyond forests could become an important part of long-term conservation strategies.

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