ROLE OF GRASSLANDS IN INDIA’S CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Why This Topic Matters  

Grasslands are among India’s most misunderstood ecosystems—long labelled as “wastelands” and subjected to misguided afforestation drives. This article shifts the narrative: grasslands are powerful carbon sinks, biodiversity hotspots, and livelihood lifelines for millions of pastoralists.

Concept Breakdown  

1. Colonial Legacy → Policy Misclassification

• Semi-arid grasslands and savannahs entered land records as “wastelands”.

• Influenced post-independence policy → creation of National Wastelands Development Board (1985).

• Result: Grasslands converted for:

  • tree plantations

  • industrial use

  • agriculture

  • afforestation schemes

Impact: systematic degradation of grassland ecosystems.

2. Ecological Role of Grasslands (vs. Forests)

 Below-Ground Productivity (Unique to Grasslands)

• Deep, fibrous roots →
  ✔ stabilise soil
  ✔ improve water infiltration
  ✔ reduce erosion
  ✔ enhance soil organic carbon (SOC)
  ✔ support rich microbial diversity

  Fire Resilience

• Unlike forests, grassland carbon remains largely unaffected by fire because it is stored underground.

3. Case Study 1: Malshiras Grassland Restoration, Maharashtra

• CAMPA funds used for native grass restoration (Dicanthium, Chrysopogon, Cenchrus).

• Study showed:

  • 21% SOC increase after 2 years

  • 50% SOC increase after 3 years

• Demonstrates how restoration > afforestation for semi-arid regions.

UPSC Angle: CAMPA + Ecosystem Restoration + Carbon Sequestration.

4. Case Study 2: Banni Grasslands, Gujarat

Once Asia’s largest tropical grassland → degraded by invasive Prosopis (mesquite) plantation.

Community-Led Restoration (Wada System)

• Prosopis removal

• Native grasses regenerated

• Managed by Maldhari pastoralists through rotational grazing

Key Findings:

• Banni stores 27 tonnes carbon (up to 30 cm soil depth)

• Average SOC: ~120 t/ha → among highest in global arid ecosystems

• Best SOC:
  Restored grassland > Wetlands > Dense woodland > Mixed woodland > Saline patches

UPSC Angle: invasive species, community-led conservation, sustainable pastoralism.

5. Why Grasslands Are India’s Climate Shields

• More stable SOC than forests

• Better resilience to rising temperatures

• Lower fire vulnerability

• Support millions in livestock-based economy

• Restore hydrological balance in drylands

Value Addition Box for Mains

Keywords to Use in Answers

• Below-ground biomass dominance

• Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

• Ecosystem-based climate adaptation (EbA)

• Pastoralist-led governance

• Misclassification of ecosystems

• Invasive alien species (Prosopis juliflora)

• Dryland climate resilience

One-Line Takeaway for Aspirants

India’s climate solutions won’t come only from planting trees — they lie hidden in the soil beneath healthy, restored grasslands.

MAINS QUESTIONS

• “India’s drylands require restoration, not afforestation.” Explain with reference to grassland ecology and climate resilience.

• Discuss the role of community-led management in restoring degraded ecosystems with special reference to the Banni grasslands.