Misunderstanding of India’s Open Ecosystems

Context:

There is urgent need to re-evaluate India’s land-use policies, as vast natural open ecosystems like deserts, grasslands, and savannas continue to be wrongly classified as “wastelands.” This misclassification has led to ecological damage and threats to pastoralist livelihoods, sparking calls for policy reform and ecosystem recognition.

The problem

India’s deserts, grasslands, scrublands, and savannas are often misclassified as “wastelands”—a colonial legacy that continues in land policy today. This has led to:
- Afforestation drives on natural grasslands
- Infrastructure development in ecologically sensitive open habitats
- Neglect of pastoral communities who depend on these ecosystems
Instead of valuing these landscapes, the state has sought to “fix” them, overlooking their ecological importance and cultural relevance.
Misconception:“Desertification” is wrongly seen as synonymous with land degradation. This reinforces the idea that deserts are degraded lands, which is not accurate.

Why Are Deserts and Open Ecosystems Important?

Ecological Significance: Deserts and drylands cover 33% of Earth’s land area.Unlike tropical forests, grasslands and deserts store carbon in soils, making them vital for climate regulation.They are home to uniquely adapted flora and fauna, such as:
- Great Indian Bustard
- Indian wolf
- Caracal
Cultural and Historical Significance:Human civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley developed in desert or semi-arid climates.

Suggestive Measures

Protect, Not "Fix": There is need to recognise open natural ecosystems (ONEs) like savannas and scrublands as distinct and valuable—not “wastelands”.
Ecological Restoration Over Plantation Drives: Restoration of degraded drylands should:
- Focus on native vegetation
- Use indigenous knowledge systems
- Apply low-tech solutions like:
  1. Water harvesting
  2. Rotational grazing
  3. Natural regeneration
Community Inclusion: Dhangar, Rabari, Kuruba and other nomadic herders rely on seasonal grazing cycles.Their practices prevent overgrazing, maintain biodiversity and help in soil conservation. Ironically, they are often excluded from conservation policies, or displaced by afforestation projects