What Are Open Ecosystems?
Open ecosystems refer to grasslands, deserts, scrublands, savannas, and open woodlands — landscapes characterized by low tree cover but high ecological and cultural value.
- These areas naturally support sparse vegetation due to arid climates or seasonal rainfall patterns.
- Unlike forests, they are not degraded forests, but distinct biomes with unique ecological functions.
Relevance : GS-3 – Environment and Ecology; Land degradation, biodiversity, and sustainable land use.
The ‘Wasteland’ Misclassification: A Colonial Legacy
| Official Label | Ecological Reality |
| “Wasteland” (as per Wasteland Atlas of India) | Functional ecosystems with biodiversity, soil carbon, and pastoralist activity |
| ~55.76 million hectares (16.96% of India’s land) | Includes deserts, grasslands, scrub, coastal sand dunes |
| Wastelands = ‘land to be fixed’ | Actually = land to be preserved and stewarded |
- Policy contradiction: While private real estate glorifies open green spaces (e.g., “Savana Villas”), India’s natural open landscapes are ignored or targeted for conversion.
Why Deserts and Open Lands Matter
- Global Significance:
- Deserts cover ~33% of Earth’s land area.
- Host ancient civilizations (e.g., Indus Valley, Mesopotamia).
- Enable climate resilience through adapted flora and fauna.
- India-Specific Examples:
- Thar Desert (Rajasthan): Indigenous species like the Great Indian Bustard, caracal, desert fox.
- Banni Grasslands (Gujarat): Among Asia’s largest, now degraded by afforestation and invasive species.
Pastoralist Communities: Stewards of Open Lands
| Community | Region |
| Dhangars | Maharashtra |
| Rabaris | Gujarat |
| Kurubas | Karnataka |
| Raikas | Rajasthan |
- Over 13 million pastoralists in India depend on open ecosystems for seasonal grazing.
- Their mobility and grazing cycles contribute to regenerative land use, seed dispersal, and biodiversity conservation.
Afforestation on grasslands and fencing off commons disrupts both ecology and livelihoods.
Greenwashing Concerns: Tree Planting ≠ Restoration
- Risks of Monoculture Afforestation:
- Reduces native biodiversity
- Alters hydrology and groundwater
- Converts carbon-rich soil systems into carbon-poor plantation zones
- Promotes Prosopis juliflora and eucalyptus, which degrade open biomes
- Instead, Promote:
- Rotational grazing
- Natural regeneration
- Check dams & water harvesting
- Pastoralist land governance
Policy Roadmap: Recognising Open Ecosystems
| Priority | Recommendation |
| Reclassify lands | Replace “wasteland” with “open ecosystem” in land-use maps |
| Protect rights | Recognize community tenure of pastoralist groups |
| Incentivize carbon | Reward soil carbon storage over tree carbon |
| Embrace traditional knowledge | Promote indigenous water and land management |
| Reframe global language | Change “World Day to Combat Desertification” to “World Day to Combat Land Degradation” |
Bottom Line
“Deserts are not empty — they are alive, thriving, and culturally rich. Preserving them is not anti-development, but a climate-smart, justice-based environmental policy.”
