INTRODUCTION
Grasslands are found on almost all the continents, from the prairies of Northern America to Asian steppes to Australian grasslands and the savannas of Africa in the world, apart from Greenland and the antarctica.
These biodiverse rich lands which are home to some unique wildlife and people also play a critical role in combating climate change and food security:
- With the ability to sequester carbon underground, they are considered more reliable carbon sinks than forests
- As large open spaces, grasslands act as rain water harvesting systems.
- If sustainably harvested, grass acts as fodder.
However, studies have shown that, globally, grasslands are on the decline. Fewer than 40 percent of the 550 million acres of historical grasslands that once stretched from Alberta to Mexico remain today. There is about 90% decline of high altitude grasslands in Kenya. Almost half of all temperate grasslands and 16 percent of tropical grasslands have been converted to agricultural or industrial uses and only one percent of the original tallgrass prairie exists today
- 50% of grassland butterflies have disappeared in Europe
- African savanna elephants decreased by at least 60% over the last 50 years and are now critically endangered
Burrowing owl, black footed ferret, numbat, prairie dogs and many more species are endangered and this list is growing. Everyday large tracts of grassland are lost to human activities and with it the animals that thrive on it.
The India Story
The story is not much different in India. Between 2005 and 2015 we lost close to 31% of grasslands and just about 1% of the total grassland area is under protection. As a consequence grassland specialists are on a decline.
- Lesser florican, Sangai, four horned antelope, Indian grey wolf have all become endangered.
- 75% of Great Indian Bustards have disappeared and are now critically endangered.
- The Asiatic cheetah and the Sundarbans dwarf rhinoceros are both extinct, and this list is slowly growing.
And it’s not just animals that gets affected, there are communities too, that live here.
- Kurubas, Maldharis, Dhangars, are some of the oldest grassland tribes of the country, and their future is now hanging in the balance as their homes continue to vanish rapidly.
- The endemic native Indian black sheep, the dahkni is now endangered.
- The ghongadi blankets made from the black wool is becoming rarer, bringing in a decline in the rich Kuruba culture.
- Underground water systems that are reliant on grasslands will fail and worsen the water and sanitation issues in the parched arid landscapes of the country.
The declining grassland cover is truly a global problem and the effects of it has global ramifications to both people and animals living in it and off it. Hence, protecting the grasslands is therefore our next priority and the first step towards protecting is by creating awareness.
Interviews
Majid Labbaf Khaneniki
Abi V Tamim
Articles
