India Launches First Comprehensive Guide To Grasslands & Open Ecosystems At UNCCD COP17; Highlights Ecological Significance Of Grasslands
India has launched its first comprehensive guide on grasslands and open natural ecosystems at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) at August 17, 2026. It highlightes the ecological, economic and cultural importance of these often-overlooked landscapes. The guide aims to improve understanding of grasslands and other open…
On August 17, 2026, India unveiled its inaugural comprehensive guide on grasslands and open natural ecosystems at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 summit held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This pioneering guide serves to shed light on the ecological, economic, and cultural value of these landscapes, which are frequently disregarded.
India's Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, virtually participated in the side event, emphasizing the guide's significance in acknowledging the country's open natural ecosystems. He highlighted the guide's role in recognizing the diversity and distribution of India's grasslands and other open ecosystems, their ecological importance, and the importance of restoration efforts in achieving India's Land Degradation Neutrality targets.
The guide aims to enhance comprehension of these landscapes, which cover vast areas across India and sustain a diverse array of flora, fauna, and communities. Often mistaken for degraded forests or wastelands, grasslands are unique ecosystems with distinct biodiversity. They serve critical ecosystem functions, such as carbon storage, soil conservation, groundwater recharge, and support for pollinators and wildlife.
Additionally, numerous threatened and specialized animals and birds depend on these habitats for food, breeding, and shelter.
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