Undervalued Grasslands and Their Importance

The savannas and scrublands of India have historically been undervalued, labeled as "wastelands" since the colonial era. British colonizers prioritized woody forests for industrialization, dismissing grasslands as useless. This undervaluation carried into post-independence policy, leading to the establishment of the National Wastelands Development Board in 1985 to classify and develop these lands for more "productive" uses.

Significance of Grasslands

• Grasslands are vital ecosystems, hosting unique biodiversity and supporting millions of pastoralists.
• They play a crucial role in maintaining healthy soils through deep, fibrous root systems, which: 
  • Stabilize the ground.
  • Enhance soil structure.
  • Promote long-term carbon storage.
• Unlike forests, grassland productivity is mainly below ground, improving water infiltration and reducing erosion.
• The soils support diverse microbial and fungal communities, maintaining soil fertility.

Climate Crisis and Carbon Sequestration

As the climate crisis intensifies, the role of ecosystems like grasslands in carbon sequestration becomes crucial. Studies indicate that grasslands have a massive potential for carbon storage, particularly below ground, which remains unaffected by fires.

Restoration Initiatives

Solapur Grassland Restoration

• The Maharashtra Forest Department, through the CAMPA funds, has started restoring degraded grasslands in Solapur.
• Native grasses like Dicanthium annulatum, Chrysopogon fulvus, and Cenchrus setigerus were cultivated and planted.
• A study by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment revealed: 
  • A 21% increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) after two years of restoration.
  • A 50% increase in SOC after three years compared to untreated sites.

Banni Grassland in Gujarat

• The Banni Grassland, once the largest in Asia, faced degradation due to invasive species like Neltuma juliflora.
• Community-led efforts, including the removal of invasive species and the reintroduction of native grasses, have restored the grasslands.
• The Banni Grassland now stores 27 metric tonnes of carbon per hectare, showcasing its potential as a carbon-rich arid ecosystem.

Lessons and Future Directions

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes that soils contain twice as much carbon as the atmosphere and all living biomass combined. The stability of SOC in grasslands is critical amid rising temperatures and frequent forest fires. The restoration efforts in Banni and Malshiras highlight the importance of focusing on soil systems for climate resilience.

India's path to a climate-resilient future lies in restoring its ecosystems, particularly grasslands, which have the inherent capability to sequester carbon. This includes empowering pastoralist communities and prioritizing native grasses over invasive species.