India’s grasslands and rangelands play a crucial role in our climate and deserve more attention in policy discussions. Often, when we think about carbon and climate action, we jump to forests and trees. While forests are important, they aren’t the only ecosystems that matter. Across India, vast landscapes – from drylands and meadows to grazing fields – support not just biodiversity, but also the livelihoods of millions who depend on livestock and seasonal pasture access.
In 2026, the UN will mark the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, emphasizing their vital role in food systems and climate resilience. This is a perfect opportunity for India to recognize the importance of its grasslands and bring them into climate policies.
Historically, grasslands have been viewed as wastelands, waiting to be converted for other uses. Pastoralism, similarly, is often seen as outdated. However, these systems are essential for ecological balance. They help with nutrient cycling, water regulation, and carbon storage. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), rangelands make up about half of the Earth’s land surface and hold about 30% of global soil organic carbon. In India, these ecosystems are essential for both ecological resilience and rural livelihoods.
The challenge isn’t just recognizing grasslands; it’s also about ensuring that funding for carbon credits reaches the right people without repeating past mistakes seen in other carbon markets. For instance, the Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project faced scrutiny over governance issues, highlighting the necessity for community consent and equity. This serves as a reminder that addressing rights and tenure in grazing lands is paramount before implementing any carbon finance initiatives.
Pastoralists have coexisted with nature for generations, adapting their practices to manage local variability like rainfall and feed availability. Introducing rigid carbon financing could disrupt these traditional practices. Instead, any financial support should be rooted in community rights, ecological understanding, and long-term sustainability.
India already has a legal framework, like the Forest Rights Act, that acknowledges the rights of forest-dwelling and pastoral communities. However, this needs to be enforced consistently. Successful carbon projects must prioritize these rights and ensure community participation.
Administrative complexities further complicate the situation. Many grazing lands are caught in a web of unclear governance, making it difficult to determine who controls decision-making. This often allows external entities to dominate, sidelining those who actually manage the land. Therefore, establishing clear rights before any market is developed is essential.
The goal should be to develop India-specific methods for managing grassland carbon that prioritize local communities and biodiversity. Carbon finance shouldn’t merely be about profits; it should support ecological health and livelihoods. What’s needed is a careful, grounded approach that protects both nature and communities.
While the challenges are significant, there’s reason for hope. Well-managed grasslands can support food security, enhance biodiversity, and improve soil health. These benefits can be realized even before carbon credits are generated. Ultimately, grasslands should be valued for their ecological significance, and any carbon finance initiatives should always play a supporting role.
To summarize, India must first acknowledge the importance of its grasslands. Second, it must clarify land rights in these areas. Third, it should create transparent methodologies for evaluating grassland restoration efforts. Lastly, community involvement must be central to all governance structures surrounding carbon finance.
If India successfully navigates this path, it can transform grassland restoration into a key strategy for climate action and rural stability. If not, it risks repeating mistakes from the past. The focus should not just be on carbon credits but on strengthening communities and ecosystems, fostering a more sustainable future.
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