Misclassification of India’s Open Ecosystems

India’s deserts, grasslands, and savannas are collectively referred to as open ecosystems they are ecologically rich and culturally significant landscapes. However, these areas have been misclassified as “wastelands” in official policy and land-use records, a designation that overlooks their vital biodiversity and societal value.

Understanding Open Ecosystems:

Open ecosystems, such as deserts, grasslands, scrublands, and savannas, are characterized by sparse tree cover and vast expanses of herbaceous or shrubby vegetation. These landscapes are not barren or useless but are highly adapted to extreme environmental conditions and support diverse life forms.

• Deserts, which cover about one-third of Earth's terrestrial surface, host unique flora and fauna that are adapted to the harsh conditions of aridity. These regions have also been home to ancient civilizations like those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley, which thrived in desert climates.

• Despite the popular misconception, these ecosystems are not barren wastelands but are ecologically intricate and biodiverse landscapes.

The Legacy of ‘Wastelands’ Misclassification:

The classification of vast stretches of grasslands, savannas, and scrublands as “wastelands” traces its roots to colonial-era land-use frameworks. The term “wasteland” has been historically used to categorize natural ecosystems that were seen as unproductive and in need of transformation, often through afforestation, agriculture, or industrial use.

• Government records have classified millions of hectares of these ecosystems as “wastelands,” leading to extensive ecological damage. This misclassification has diminished the importance of these lands, resulting in the loss of ecosystem services such as:

  • Carbon sequestration,

  • Soil fertility,

  • Water retention, and

  • Biodiversity conservation.

Ecological and Social Value of Open Landscapes:

India's open ecosystems are vital to the survival of many endangered and endemic species. These include:

• The Great Indian Bustard,

• Caracal,

• Indian Wolf, and

• Chinkara.

These species rely on the specific structure and seasonal rhythms of open habitats to survive and thrive. Additionally, grasslands and savannas play a critical role in carbon storage. While tree-based carbon storage often receives more attention, grasslands and savannas store significant amounts of carbon deep in the soil, making them important in the fight against climate change.

Beyond their ecological value, open ecosystems are also crucial to the livelihoods of millions of pastoralist communities. For example:

• The Dhangars of Maharashtra,

• The Rabaris of Gujarat, and

• The Kurubas of Karnataka,

These communities depend on open landscapes for grazing and have historically acted as custodians of ecosystem health, employing practices such as rotational grazing and water conservation.

However, policies that encourage fencing, tree planting, or land repurposing often lead to the displacement of these communities, loss of income, and the erosion of traditional ecological knowledge.

The Issue with Current Land Restoration and Greening Goals:

A significant issue arises with the tendency to “green” open ecosystems, especially deserts and grasslands, through tree plantations. This approach stems from a mistaken belief that tree cover is the only indicator of ecological health. While afforestation can be beneficial in certain contexts, the widespread planting of trees in these areas can lead to:

• Monoculture plantations,

• Degradation of local biodiversity, and

• Disruption of seasonal ecological cycles.

Experts argue for a more holistic, community-driven approach to ecosystem restoration, emphasizing strategies such as:

• Protecting native vegetation and allowing natural regeneration,

• Promoting soil and moisture conservation,

• Drawing on indigenous land management knowledge, and

• Recognizing the importance of carbon stored in soil as a key metric for climate change mitigation.

Policy Recommendations

To ensure the sustainable management and protection of India’s open ecosystems, experts advocate for the following policy reforms:

1. Revising Land Classification Systems: The “wasteland” label should be removed and replaced with a more accurate classification that reflects the ecological and cultural value of these landscapes.

2. Formulating Ecosystem-Specific Conservation Plans: National and regional conservation strategies should be tailored to the unique needs of each open ecosystem, such as grasslands, deserts, and savannas.

3. Recognizing Pastoralist Rights and Stewardship: Policies must acknowledge and support the role of pastoralist communities in maintaining ecosystem health. Their traditional knowledge should be incorporated into land-use and conservation strategies.

4. Integrating Open Ecosystems into National Strategies: Open ecosystems should be incorporated into national climate and biodiversity frameworks, with a focus on their role in carbon storage, water retention, and biodiversity conservation.

5. Incentivizing Soil Carbon Conservation: Policymakers should encourage the conservation of soil carbon in open ecosystems alongside forest carbon, creating financial incentives for sustainable practices.

Additionally, experts suggest symbolic shifts, such as renaming the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought to “World Day to Combat Land Degradation”, in order to recognize the ecological legitimacy of deserts, grasslands, and other open landscapes.

Conclusion:

India’s deserts, grasslands, and savannas are misunderstood ecosystems that hold immense ecological, cultural, and economic value. To ensure their sustainability and protection, policymakers must re-evaluate how these landscapes are classified and managed.