Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists by UNCCD

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Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists by UNCCD

Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists by UNCCD

Context: The Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists, recently released by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), states that up to 50% of rangelands are degraded.

About UNCCD:

Topic	Details
About	Details
Adoption	UNCCD is a legally binding agreement that aims to protect and restore land, and combat desertification and drought.
Adoption	1994
Effective	1996
Rio Conventions	- UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) - UNCBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) - UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
Focus	- UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) - UNCBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) - UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
Secretariat	Drylands, including arid, semi-arid, and dry subhumid areas. These areas host vulnerable ecosystems and populations.
Goals	- Protecting and restoring land - Ensuring a safer, just, and more sustainable future - Mitigating the impact of land degradation - Providing food, water, shelter, and economic opportunities for all people

About Rangelands:

Topic	Details
Rangelands	Large areas of land covered by grasses, shrubs, woodlands, wetlands, and deserts used by wild animals and domestic livestock for grazing.
Coverage	- Cover about 47% of the Earth\'s surface - Cover 54% of the world\'s land
Characteristics	- Low and erratic precipitation - Poor drainage - Rough topography - Low soil fertility
Types	- Tallgrass and shortgrass prairies - Desert grasslands and shrublands - Woodlands - Savannas - Chaparrals - Steppes - Tundras - Alpine communities - Marshes and meadows
Significance	- Storing carbon - Providing habitats for wildlife - Supporting the world\'s largest rivers and wetlands - Keeping carbon in the ground
Ecosystem Services	- Grazing - Wildlife habitat - Watershed health - Recreational opportunities
Contribution to Food Production	Account for one sixth of global food production
Carbon Reservoir	Represent nearly one third of the planet’s carbon reservoir

Key Highlights of the Report:

• Degradation of Rangelands:
o Almost half of the world’s rangelands are degraded.
o Causes include climate change, population growth, land-use change, and expanding farmlands.

• Conversion of Rangelands:
o The conversion of rangelands generates little public reaction.
o Unlike deforestation, the conversion of ancient rangelands happens silently without evoking an emotional response.

India Specific Observations

• Economic Contribution of Pastoralists:
o Pastoralists contribute significantly to the economy through livestock rearing and milk production.
o The livestock sector contributes 4% to the national GDP and 26% to the agricultural GDP.
o India accounts for 20% of the world’s livestock population.

• Recognition and Market Access for Pastoralists:
o Millions of pastoralists in India depend on grasslands, shrubs, and plateaus.
o They need better recognition of their rights and access to markets.
o Estimated 20 million or more people belong to pastoralist communities such as the Maldharis, Van Gujjars, and Rabaris.

• Marginalization of Pastoralists:
o Pastoralists are marginalized with little influence on policy decisions.
o This results in uncertainty over access to common land and land rights.

• Protection of Grasslands in India:
o Grasslands are threatened ecosystems but are virtually overlooked in conservation efforts.
o Ecosystem restoration policies favor forestry-based interventions, converting natural grasslands into plantation forests or other uses.
o Less than 5% of India’s grasslands are within protected areas.
o Grassland area declined from 18 to 12 million hectares between 2005 and 2015.

• Successes Highlighted by the Report:
o The Forest Rights Act 2006 has helped pastoralists obtain grazing rights.
o Example: Van Gujjars won grazing rights and received land titles in Rajaji National Park following a high court judgment.

• Gradual Shift in Attitude:
o There is a gradual shift towards recognizing the socio-ecological role of rangelands and pastoralism in India.
o Welfare schemes and assistance are provided to pastoralists under the National Livestock Mission, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, and Rashtriya Gokul Mission on sustainable dairy production.