Now Reading: First global guide for grasslands launched at UNCCD COP17
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First global guide for grasslands launched at UNCCD COP17
A first-of-its-kind guide to managing grasslands and open natural ecosystems was launched on Thursday at the UNCCD COP17 in Riyadh. The guide was produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature…
A first-of-its-kind guide to managing grasslands and open natural ecosystems was launched on Thursday at the UNCCD COP17 in Riyadh. The guide was produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with input from experts in India, Mongolia, and other countries.
The guide provides practical steps for conserving and restoring grasslands, which cover about 40% of the Earth's land surface but receive far less attention than forests. It highlights the role of grasslands in carbon storage, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of pastoral communities.
The launch comes as land degradation and desertification accelerate worldwide. The guide is intended for policymakers, land managers, and local communities, with pilot projects planned in India and Mongolia.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Grasslands are among the most neglected ecosystems globally, receiving a fraction of the conservation funding that forests do. In India, they cover roughly 15% of the land but are often misclassified as wasteland, leading to large-scale tree-planting that can harm native biodiversity and the pastoral communities dependent on them. The guide's real test will be whether it influences national land-use policies and budget allocations. The next major milestone is the COP17's final decision text, expected later this week, which may include grassland-specific targets.
Source: moneycontrol.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
