Prelims: Current events of National and International Importance | Environment
Why in news?
India Launches First-Ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at UNCCD COP17, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
About the guide
- The ONEs of India encompass a variety of landscapes, including Himalayan and Terai grasslands, the Thar and Banni landscapes, Deccan savannas, rocky plateaus, ravines, scrublands, coastal ecosystems and desert environments.
- The document highlights the rich diversity, ecological significance and socio-economic importance of India’s grasslands, savannas, deserts and other open natural ecosystems.
- This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing their conservation, restoration and sustainable management.
- It is an important step towards recognizing India’s open natural ecosystems and stressed the need for their science-based conservation alongside forests.
- Experts discussed the diversity and distribution of India’s grasslands and ONEs, their ecological significance, and the importance of their restoration in meeting India’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.
- It is detailing their geographical settings, ecological characteristics, biodiversity, and the communities and tribes associated with them.

Reference
AIR News | First-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems