In an effort to draw attention to the significance of grasslands worldwide, the United Nations recently proclaimed 2026 to be the International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026). Once more, this is an international declaration about the protection and safeguarding of the biocultural identity linked to grasslands and rangelands. The Bonn Challenge, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and the Ramsar Convention (which focused on wet grasslands) were some of the earlier initiatives that acknowledged the significance of preventing land degradation and desertification.
Grassland conservation is crucial for eco-services such as carbon sequestration, soil fertility, reduced GHG emissions, maintenance of hydrological balance, biodiversity, medicinal properties, and fodder for livestock and other herbivores. The declaration of the year for Rangelands and Pastoralists reaffirms the vital role of grasslands and pastoralists in the ecosystem and their mutual dependence for the sustainability of the environment.
In India, the grasslands are often known as ‘forest,’ ‘scrubland,’ ‘rangeland,’ or ‘wastelands.’ Locally, these are known as Vidis, Sholas, Dhor, Oran, Gairan, Phumdi, Kans, and Gochar, among many others. Numerous ethnic groups, tribal people, and even nomadic people live in these environments and derive their cultural identity from them. Many grasslands, including Banni, Rhonda, Kangyam, Shola, Bugyals, and Phumdis (floating grasslands), are renowned for their distinctive vegetation, climate, and ability to support communities. These grasslands provide communities with a natural habitat that supports everything from daily activities to religious rituals. Many of these grasslands are characterised by seasonal pastoralist movement in search of water and food, reflecting the nomadic lifestyle of people.Some grasslands exhibit seasonal fire to restore ecological balance. Nevertheless, they symbolise the indisputable symbiotic relationship among vegetation, animals, and soil.
In the midst of discussions about climate change and global warming, the significance and urgency of restoring these drought-resistant grasslands have been given lower priority. Few initiatives, nevertheless, were carried out without evaluating their long-term results. Prosopis juliflora, Lantana camara, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Acacia mearnsii are just a few examples of the exotic tree and shrub species that were introduced in the past as a result of various schemes like Green India and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). This resulted in the degradation of these habitats, their ecosystem services, and the loss of biodiversity. These heterogeneous grasslands have also witnessed a great decline in fauna such as the Great Indian Bustard (IUCN Status: Critically Endangered, Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule I), historically recorded from Kutch, extremely rare today, and the Indian Wolf (WPA: Schedule I), an important apex predator of the Banni grasslands.
Banni within India’s Grassland Question
The Banni grasslands are semi-arid (savanna type) and span across 2600 sq km in Kutch. These make a boundary with the great run of Kutch. These grasslands are home to nearly 20 ethnic tribes, 190 plant species, 250 bird species, and many keystone species such as the great Indian bustard, forest fox, spiny-tailed lizard, chinkara, blackbuck, jackal, grey wolf, etc. Over the years, Banni has undergone severe degradation; nearly 60% of the grasslands have been desertified, and locals now call it a woodland.
Legal Dichotomy
The government’s efforts to rejuvenate the grasslands went no further than removing invasive plants and replacing them with native grass, while no other major initiatives were undertaken. The National Green Tribunal 2019 ruling instructed the forest department to remove the enclosures from the Banni. This was protested by the many powerful locals. As the enclosures were also used for private agricultural purposes.
Recently, the introduction of cheetahs and deer into Banni is a good step in the right direction. Officials believe it will promote ecotourism in the region and enhance biodiversity. Banni has a historical connection to Asiatic cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), having been sighted in the grasslands in 1839 and 1872, as indicated by a study, suggesting it is an ideal cheetah habitat. This might go along the lines of the bison (a keystone species in the region) introduction in the Prairies of North America. However, locals in Banni viewed it as a top-down approach that neglected their interests. The maldharis fear that this may threaten their livestock (especially Banni buffalo) and their traditional grazing access to 600 sq km of land, further restricting their movement within the grasslands. As the locals (mainly the Maldhari community) still derive economic benefits from grasslands without providing them with sustainable alternatives, they may become vulnerable.
Banni pastoralists carry their identity, and they take great pride in their association with Banni. Hence, alienating them from their identity will make them socially and culturally excluded. It is important to revive pastoral activities, which have great value beyond providing livelihood security, and to develop ecotourism and high-end handicrafts, which require effective advertising and marketing. As the communities in Banni are traditional and joint, promoting social/family entrepreneurship can further enhance their economic well-being. There is a need to form grass-growers’ cooperatives that promote nutritious and indigenous grasses as well. Women in Banni are yet to be recognised as capital; their roles and actions are vital to maintaining Banni’s cultural and ecological value. Women must be trained, and capacities must be built for sustainable Banni and community well-being. Straightaway, taking the livelihood from Maldharis (and relevant communities) will put them in a vulnerable state. This had to be addressed, taking into account the economic well-being of those who depend solely on these grasslands.
Ways forward
It is important to recognise the role of grassland conservation in achieving land degradation neutrality. The legal dichotomy to conserve the grasslands and control overgrazing must be implemented in a very calibrated way, ensuring the land rights of those who have been living there for long are protected in the periphery of Banni without disturbing Banni’s ecosystem. Providing diversified livelihoods, maintaining natural ties with the grasslands, and preserving biodiversity must be the core of any policy. However, it must be noted that effective grassland conservation intersects with stable and secure livelihoods and land tenure rights. IYRP 2026 highlights the need for land tenure and mobility rights for pastoralists. Legally, the grasslands need to be differentiated from “wasteland” and “forest.” Accordingly, grasslands/rangelands should be integrated into India’s target for achieving land degradation neutrality.
(Dr. Nikita Kaliravana is a guest contributor)
