Environmentalists raising concern about India’s open ecosystems (deserts, grasslands, scrublands, and savannas) have long been viewed as degraded barren lands and urged policymakers to recognize its importance to ensure their conservation and sustainable management.

What are Open Ecosystems?

• Definition: Open ecosystems refer to natural landscapes that are minimally disturbed by human activities and exhibit a high degree of species diversity and resilience. They include:
  • Deserts: Nearly one-third of Earth’s surface, home to specialized plant and animal species.
  • Grasslands & Savannas: Vast open landscapes rich in biodiversity, supporting both flora and fauna adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions.
  • Scrublands: Transitional ecosystems that bridge deserts and more humid regions, important for biodiversity.

Importance of Open System

• Biodiversity Hotspots: For example, the Thar Desert supports endemic species like the Chinkara and the Desert Fox.
  • Unique species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Indian wolf, and Caracal depend on these ecosystems.
• Carbon Sequestration: These ecosystems store significant carbon in the soil, reducing the impact of climate change. 
  • Grasslands can store up to 5–10 times more carbon per hectare than tropical forests, as demonstrated by IPCC 2023 reports.
  • For instance, grasslands store carbon in deep soil, making them important carbon sinks.
• Livelihoods: Pastoral communities like the Dhangar, Rabari, and Kuruba rely on these open ecosystems for grazing lands.
  • As per the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), over 80 million pastoralists in India depend on these ecosystems for their livelihood.
  • Their migration patterns and grazing methods often contribute to ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.
• Historical Role in Civilizations: Early civilizations, including those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley, were established in desert climates. 
  • The harsh conditions prompted the creation of innovative irrigation systems and advanced water management techniques, enabling these civilizations to thrive.

Challenges in India with Their Classification

• Colonial Legacy: The term “wasteland” was introduced during British colonial rule to classify lands that were deemed unproductive. Even today, millions of hectares of deserts, grasslands, and savannas are marked as “wastelands” on official maps.
  • Example: The Kutch region in Gujarat, classified as wasteland, is a crucial habitat for migratory birds and the endangered Indian Wild Ass.
• Misguided Interventions:
  • Afforestation and Agriculture: Policies aimed at transforming these areas often involve large-scale afforestation or conversion into agricultural land, which can be unsustainable. 
    • For instance, attempts to convert desert areas into agricultural zones often fail due to water scarcity and unsuited soil conditions.
  • Fencing and Urbanization: Converting grasslands into urban areas or fencing off traditional grazing grounds disrupts local biodiversity and pastoralist lifestyles. 
    • An example is the Sultanpur National Park in Haryana, where fencing has restricted pastoralist access, causing conflict between conservation and livelihoods.
• Lack of Policy Focus:
  • Absence of Protection for Pastoral Systems: While wildlife sanctuaries exist, pastoralist grazing lands often lack legal protection, leading to land degradation and loss of livelihoods for these communities.
  • For example, in Himachal Pradesh, about 65% of the land is already under forest or protected areas.

Way Forward

• Reclassify and Reinterpret Open Ecosystems: Replace the term “wasteland” with more accurate descriptors like grasslands, savannas, and deserts, which recognize their ecological value.
  • Example: Instead of “greening” deserts, policymakers could focus on conservation-based restoration practices, focusing on natural vegetation and soil moisture conservation.
• Integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Practices: Acknowledge the traditional knowledge of pastoral communities and integrate practices like rotational grazing and water harvesting into national policies.
  • Example: The Rajasthan State Government can incorporate pastoral land management practices into its ecosystem restoration programs, ensuring that both biodiversity and livelihoods are protected.
• Support Low-Tech Restoration: Shift focus from high-tech interventions like monoculture plantations to low-tech restoration methods such as protecting natural regrowth, soil conservation, and water harvesting.
  • Example: Rotational grazing systems used by pastoralist communities, such as the Rabari in Gujarat, should be promoted as an alternative to industrial-scale land reclamation projects.
• Recognize the Role of Pastoralists: Legalize and protect pastoral grazing rights in open ecosystems, ensuring that communities are not excluded from the land they have stewarded for centuries.
  • Example: The Gujjar and Bakarwal communities in Jammu and Kashmir have faced conflicts over land ownership and grazing rights. 
  • Policies should protect their right to mobility and grazing, ensuring the health of both the land and the people.
• Promote Public Awareness: Launch public awareness campaigns to reframe the narrative surrounding open ecosystems, highlighting their role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods.
  • Example: Renaming the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought to “World Day to Combat Land Degradation”, to acknowledge the ecological legitimacy of deserts and grasslands.

Conclusion

India’s open ecosystems, deserts, grasslands, scrublands, and savannas—hold immense ecological and social value. They support unique biodiversity, store carbon, and provide vital livelihoods to millions of people. 

• By reclassifying these lands, integrating indigenous knowledge, and promoting sustainable restoration practices, India can ensure that these ecosystems continue to thrive for future generations. 

DOWNLOAD PDF