Why grasslands are an important ecosystem
Grasslands harbour a diverse variety of life forms and are carbon sinks as well
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Context
An analytical article highlights the critical misconception of India's grasslands as "wastelands." This erroneous perception leads to their diversion for agriculture, industry, and misguided afforestation, threatening unique biodiversity like the Great Indian Bustard and Indian Grey Wolf. The article argues for recognizing their ecological significance, including their role as carbon sinks and their importance for pastoralist communities.
UPSC Perspectives
Environmental
The article underscores the unique ecological value of grasslands, which are distinct from forests and host highly adapted, often endangered, species. For instance, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a flagship species for this ecosystem, is now Critically Endangered due to habitat loss. The is listed under Schedule I of the , and conservation efforts like in Rajasthan aim to protect its last remaining habitats. Similarly, the Indian Grey Wolf, an apex predator crucial for regulating herbivore populations, is threatened. Though its global IUCN status is 'Least Concern', its population in India is declining, and it is also a Schedule I species. These ecosystems also provide vital ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration through their extensive root systems, a fact often overlooked in climate change mitigation policies that favor forests.
Governance & Policy
A significant governance failure is the lack of legal recognition for grasslands. They are often classified as "wastelands" or fall under a forest-biased regulatory framework, making them vulnerable to diversion. India lacks a dedicated national policy for grassland conservation and management. Expert bodies, such as a Task Force by the former Planning Commission, have long recommended a National Grazing Policy and the inclusion of grasslands under the protective ambit of the , but action remains pending. The continued neglect in policy, such as in the Draft National Forest Policy 2018, perpetuates the degradation. Legal instruments like the could be used to declare these areas as Ecologically Sensitive Zones, but this requires a fundamental shift in policy perspective away from viewing grasslands as unproductive land.
Socio-Economic
Grasslands are intrinsically linked to the livelihoods of millions of pastoralists who practice pastoralism, a mobile livestock-rearing system. These communities, such as the Maldharis of Banni, have traditionally managed these ecosystems sustainably. However, the destruction of grasslands and the lack of secure tenure threaten their economic survival and cultural identity. The [Forest Rights Act, 2006] (FRA), provides a legal avenue for recognizing the traditional grazing rights of pastoral and nomadic communities. However, implementation is weak, and the mobile nature of pastoral communities makes it difficult for them to file and secure claims. The diversion of grasslands for other uses severs migratory routes and creates conflict, impacting not only the pastoralists but also the ecological balance they help maintain.